Roshake stumbled into a Peugeot lover’s lair, with no less than three of them visible from the street. In this shot, we see the main a attraction, a 1979 604 in very fine fettle. Update: This was earlier identified as a 1979 by Roshake, but it appears to be a 1986.
In the street we see a lovely 406 Coupe, and behind the gate is 605 sedan.
We’ve covered the 604 a few times here already, and I’ll leave the links at the bottom, as usual, so I’m not going to repeat myself except to say I found it very attractive when it arrived in 1975, and even more so during my 404 era, which the 604 reminded me of somewhat, thanks to the rectilinear styling by Peugeot on both of them.
The 604 was heavily based on the 504, but it did get a 2.325″ wheelbase stretch, to improve rear seat leg room. The seats were absolutely blissfully comfortable. Peugeot was something of a pioneer in using new techniques to make foam seats in the 504, and the results were splendid. I’ve seen 504 and 604 seats swapped into all sorts of old cars and trucks. I’m afraid the junkyards are long out of them, in case I gave you an idea.
The 604 was powered by the PRV 90 degree V6, an engine that had some weak spots early on, but became quite solid in its middle age. There was also a turbo diesel, the first one to be sold in Europe, starting in 1979. It was a four cylinder and its NVH was not exactly in full harmony with the supple and comfortable ways of the 604 otherwise.
It had a very spacious trunk.
Unfortunately, the US version did not have these composite headlights, but had some cobbled-up looking quad sealed beams, although in its later years, some US-approved composite headlights did finally make its way here.
Here’s our previous coverage of the 604:
Curbside Classic: Peugeot 604 – Overachieving Underachiever
Vintage Review: Peugeot 604 – Same Smooth Ride
CC Test Drive: 1975 Peugeot 604 – The “French Mercedes” Hits The Road, Softly
I’d have another 406 any time, my current car MK1 C5 is on a 406 platform but with hydractive suspension and the ride and handling are brilliant.
Looking at the interior, the mirrors, the striping, the color and the wheels: this is an 1985 Peugeot 604 GTI. Certainly no 1979. Contrary to believe, the exhaust is completely stock. Beautiful car.
That makes sense.
The front fences and gates made me wonder if this were a high crime city, until I noticed the sidewalks are very close to the houses. I’m sure the trees like it that way, particularly the older gnarled one across the street.
This is normal for Hungary which is a relatively safe country.
Safe, yes. Lots of big dogs on the loose in the places I’ve been. Farm animals, chickens too, even on the outskirts of Budapest.
There was a Peugeot dealer in my hometown, and the franchise was even picked up by another dealer when he dropped it in the dying days of the 405 failing on the US market. There were 504s and 505s fading in the sun all over the middle-class parts of town, but I never saw a 604 until I was visiting San Francisco around 1980.
Sticking my neck out here, but perhaps one of the best saloons in 1970s Europe?
A V6 604 could tempt even me from a Rover SD1 (maybe not the V8 though…)