(Submitted by Laurie Boussom; first posted 8/2/2014)
At age 18, against my dad’s wise advice, I purchased my first car, a beat-to-shit, sun faded red Camaro. Truth be told, I bought it to impress the hot guy selling it, in a lame attempt to appear cool. I soon learned that this car was my personal version of Stephen King’s killer car, Christine. It quit running when it rained, attracted rabid dogs (seriously…but that’s another story), developed enormous cancerous holes where it had been bondo-ed, left me stranded more times than not and consumed my entire savings in futile repairs. When I sold it, I had to exit from the window as neither door would open. I felt angry, like a failure and a sucker: anything but cool. I couldn’t afford to buy another car, so I rode my ten-speed everywhere and wore my tough girl, “I don’t care” attitude instead of a bike helmet.
After a year of the “bike ride of shame,” my dad suggested that we find a “good car” for me. I felt like I was being offered a rewind and replay of my Camaro fiasco. My dad had a penchant for auto-exotica (at least for those times) and I grew up appreciating everything from a Studebaker, a Fiat 124 and learned to drive a manual transmission in our Opel Kadett. We diligently scoured used car lots looking for my redemption car. Road weary and mildly disillusioned, my father first spotted “her.” I remember dad’s words, “now that looks interesting.” I remember desperately hoping this car would be the one I took home. As bad-ass as I pretended to be bombing around on my Raleigh road bike, I was sooo over pedal-power.
We were holding our breath as we apprehensively approached the lovely lady. I heard my dad’s breathing change slightly before he softly uttered “Mmmmmmmmmm…! Lor, it’s a Peugeot!” All I knew is that it was love at first sight. From her glossy, cabernet exterior, rich chamois-like interior and most excellent sleepwalking lion logo, I was hopelessly smitten (if this wasn’t fabulous enough already, the manual tranny and old school crank-open sunroof sealed the deal for me). When I was finally able to divert my gaze from her awesomeness, I saw my dad wore the same dreamy, goofy, lovestruck grin I felt on my own face. He winked and told me, “Now, Lor, THIS is a great car,” and of course, I soon drove it home.
I soon found the Peugeot 504 to be in a league of its own and took every opportunity to uncover the provenance of “mon amour.” I learned that the 504 was considered the French Mercedes, noted for its advanced suspension, comfortable ride and good handling and its design by Pininfarina, who I now knew to be a noteworthy Italian design firm. I particularly remember one picture of me in my 504, taken by my dad (sadly lost in one of my moves) which shows a girl in her early 20s, long hair slicked back in a fishbone braid, aviator Ray Bans, goofy grin, her hand placed lovingly on the steering wheel. My dad–my hero–had helped me find my cool.
I am sorry to say I do not have any actual pictures of my Peugeot to share with you. My time with her was over three decades ago and anyway, I didn’t have much of a chance to gather many snapshots. After approaching a year of driving bliss, it became apparent that the Pug needed a brake job. My dad and I took her for a quote at a European Auto Repair shop he frequented with his cars. I knew since it was an unusual car that the cost would probably be steep. Neither of us were prepared for the brake job to exceed the cost of the car. My dad turned white as a sheet, I was numb and paralyzed. “No way,” we uttered in tandem. “Way” was the service manager’s unemotional, blasé response. We consoled ourselves into believing that maybe this place was just crazy expensive, but the mood grew heavier with every additional quote.
The ride home screamed in silence. I looked at my dad hoping, praying he had a trick up his sleeve, but I was shocked to actually see tears running down his handsome face. “I’m so sorry, Lor, I really messed up. I had no idea it would cost this much to fix. I know how much you love her…..I do too. I’m so sorry.” As we pulled in the driveway, both our faces strained with grief. The only option was to sell. The day our Peugeot 504 resumed life in the hands of another was devastating in many ways. I was destined to resume pedal-power, believed I had forever lost my cool and was jolted into the realization that my dad was as humanly flawed and prone to failure as I was.
Thirty-four years later, tears of heartfelt memories and beautiful failures, interrupt my writing flow. I still have a Raleigh for pedal-power, if needed, though I’m not concerned about maintaining my cool persona. I drive a sweet, fun, MX5 that is as reliable as the road is long, but the 504 still managed to pay off as a wonderful talking point on my first date with the diehard car guy who I now call my husband. My dad has unfortunately been gone for over 24 years. I will always remember the day shortly after his death, when I pulled into a service station to gas up and noticed a man that bore an uncanny resemblance to my dad a few pumps away. He caught my eye, winked and drove off in a Peugeot 504.
Related reading:
Cars Of A Lifetime: Peugeot 504 Diesel Wagon – The Long, Slow Trip
That Camaro looks pretty badass and kinda scary. The lead photo is pretty neat and the Ranger in the background is a slap of reality in the face. Without the Ranger I would have thought that photo was from the 1970s or 1980s and I did not realize Rangers were sold in Europe.
Wow, that must have been an expensive brake job and/or an inexpensive 504. Replacing the brake line’s in my folk’s Saab 900 was going to cost $800 so they donated it to charity instead of spending over twice the car’s value. Those 504’s sure are pretty and I have yet to see one in Portland, OR, but there is a guy near Watkins Glen, NY who has a few 504s among other European vehicles.
Am I remembering right – that the rear brake lines were inside the cab on a 900, and would have required ripping apart the interior to replace? Strange arrangement, however it was.
No idea, I will ask my Uncle. Sounds too far fetched to be true though.
But Saab were good at doing weird.
I’m quite sure the lead picture was taken in Chile. 504’s were still a very common sight in the nineties, and Rangers became quite popular. The plate of the Ranger, as well as the uniform of the policemen also look familiar to me!
Nice story, thanks for telling it. Great to see another fresh face on here. Lovely car as well, what part of the country were you in at the time? I’m wondering if repairs cost so much just because of the location and the relative scarcity of Peugeots?
Thank you for this story, Laurie.
Ironically it was a Peugeot 304 that put me on pedal power for some significant time. In fact it was a moment of inattention piloting my 304 across the worst intersection in Heidelberg. I T-boned an Opel Record.
Riding the bike had major benefits. I developed some physical fitness that i would not have gained otherwise. I still benefit from that 35 years later.
The Peugeot is the car I miss the most of all the cars I had. I was glad to see a 504 in the movie Rush.
I feel your pain. 504’s are some of my favorites, the seats are heaven and the ride sublime.
Did the 504 have inboard rear brakes as Jags, some Alfas and Rovers? Or some weird rotor/hub combined design? Both are extremely labour intensive to just get to, not to mention part costs in some cases.
No theres nothing complicated on Peugeots.
Not on that generation at least.
Agree that there is nothing complicated re older Peugeots,just a few tricks you learn and I was a mechanical novice.My late Buick and Holden father did not like them until he did a repair on my 404 sedan and said it was more simple to repair than a Holden.Easier to work on is what he said.I used to love the fluidity of Jaguar XJ6 and 12 cars but the Peugeot 404 was almost as good in its suspension.Drove a late 504 ti in Adelaide in 1986,manual gearbox,fast and fun.Some auto journos said the 504 felt not as tight as the 404,still a great drive but not as precise and wonderfully responsive as a 404.
504s are or were THE cars of Africa. They were everywhere and undoubtedly there are still some probably in service
They are still everywhere in Africa. Actually, the youngest 504s are only 8 years old now, since they were made in Nigeria until 2006. The production in Europe stopped in 1983.
I saw them all over Egypt, as with taxi w123’s, five years ago. It seemed Corollas were slowly replacing them. Many of the Corollas had US dealer decals.
This is funny, I went to the FAQ-page of Peugeot’s Nigerian website.
One of the questions: “Do you still produce the Peugeot 504 ?”
http://www.peugeotnigeria.com/faq/
Dear Johannes. I’m a Nigerian Prince who has a boatload of Peugeot 405’s.
Unforturately due to some unfortunate circumstance that I can’t make up right now . I can’t gain access to these for some tragic reason.. However If you deposit kindly your life savings I shall be able to get one for you. No problem. Just write the colour you would like and whether you would like a saloon or estate on the back of the cheque 🙂
This is a Peugeot 504 scam instead of a 419 scam!!!!
I’m very sorry Mr. Nigerian Prince. I have no port in my backyard, so your boat can’t anchor here. Otherwise I would be glad to deposit $ 100,000 or so in advance.
As soon as that cashier’s you sent me clears, i’ll have you hook me up.
I just looked that up! If they get asked that so much, go find that old tooling and start cranking them out.
It would be cool to import a 2006 504, or Brazilian Kombi to the states: alas this is verboten.
Agree. if they get asked so often, there must be money in it. Does Nigeria have any motor vehicle regulations that would ban new 504s? Do they need airbags or stuff like that? I would have thought the 504 structure would still be up to scratch against modern cars.
I remember reading about the 505, & its engineers boasting that “an Audi wouldn’t last 5 minutes in Africa.”
Great story. I am now officially addicted to this website.
Well written Laurie ;
I owned one , it was a weird French car of course but I’d worked in an Indie Peugeot Garage in my youth so I just fixed it then drove it, what a great car .
-Nate
Great story. When I was 19 I bought a 504 diesel that was for sale in a K Mart parking lot for $400. I loved and hated the car. I got rid of mine for pretty much the same reason – a too costly repair or so I guessed. It wasn’t worth having towed to the shop. I let it sit on the street for a few weeks and a man came to the door wanting to buy it. I let him. My soon to be wife and I bought a new 92 Ford Escort that did all sorts of things the 504 didn’t – consistently started and turned off, brake lights that worked all the time, working heat and air conditioning, maintenance parts that didn’t require calling a parts shop across the country to order and ship(this was pre-internet), etc. It did not have the magic carpet ride and lovable quirkiness alas.
My avatar shows me sitting on the hood of mine in 1991. I think that is a Crapalier wagon in the background with a higher trim package judging by the wheels.
Thanks for this terrific tale of Peugeot love and woe. As you undoubtedly know, I had a slew of 404s, and was very familiar with a friend’s 504. They do get under ones skin.
Too bad about the brakes; they’re really not that hard to DIY. But shops tend to charge a lot, on the assumption that everything has to be redone, which is often/usually not the case. Oh well; something else was bound to break anyway! 🙂
The “maestros” are likely the same…seems to be…worldwide. As a euro lad I am hmmm addicted to the GM’s North-American vehicles. And as I started with them as daily drivers…some repairs and spareparts always needed. So I turned to those very few independent U.S./Canada carpart importers where the prices were astronomical as american cars were treated like “ufos”…like in this story ’bout the “eurocars” in America. That was the situation during the pre-internet era. Now the things are quite different. The parts became more affordable as pricings with all of the added costs became reasonable. Deliveries are finely organized via worldwide courier services. And the “maestros” realized in the meantime that a car is only a car. No matter where on the earth they are assembled.
The 504 4 door sedan is my favorite European car. A few years ago, I almost bought one on eBay that had factory A/C!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, especially with your dad. I don’t know anything about Peugeots but appreciate the role a good father can play. You obviously do as well.
I have a lot of experience in 504’s and they are indeed great cars, built like tanks. I just love the smooth ride of these cars. which was quite a revelation when one was used to solid axle V-8 body on frame cars.
There is nothing hard about working on a 504, it is just the parts are expensive and take time to get.
Ah, the French experience! Romance, then the bill arrives…. Great story about the cars and your Dad, Laurie.
Laurie, the last paragraph brought tears to my eyes. So sweet and touching. Isn’t Peugeot the oldest car manufacturer of all? The James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, has a great car chase with a Citroen and 2 Peugeot 504’s.
The only way I see a Peugeot brake job getting that expensive is if lines, calipers or the master cylinder had to be replaced. Pads and rotors should be in line with other cars.
It’s one of the reasons I do a lot of my own work.
My uncle, well into his seventies now, has always been a very loyal Peugeot driver. In the seventies he had a light blue 504 with a tan interior. Before that one he had a 404.
In all those years he has been unfaithful only once. That was when he bought a Volkswagen Vento, a 4 door sedan. He regretted it the minute he drove it off the dealer’s lot, being used to that renowned French comfort and handling. He didn’t know what got into him….buying that bouncing Lutheran church bench on wheels….
After that mistake he was back on the Peugeot track again and he has had several Peugeot C-segment hatchbacks since.
A 1999 Peugeot 504, as built in South America.
Hilarious. This body needs it original rear lights. It does work with both the trapezoidal and twin roundie headlight look, however.
That rear treatment reminds me of the last generation Alfa Spider.
I’m surprised they never squared up the back end. Too much money for new tooling, I guess.
A 1995 Peugeot 504 “SR Best Line”, as built in Nigeria.
More about the last models here (in French of course), including images of the interior and pickup-trucks:
http://www.504.org/1999.htm
Great story with the type of personal involvements that a COAL needs to have. Btw, I bought a lemon for my daughter also. It was for my granddaughter’s use and I bought it from her and gave her my pickup. The risks you run being a dad.
I had a Great Uncle who was a Lutherain minister serving remote communities in outback Queensland, Australi (think Arizona or Texas!). He only retired at 91 but that’s another story…
Throughout the 1950’s 1960’s and early’70’s he drive incredible mileages in Puegeots – 404 and 504 models in particular. He said he could bank on their reliability and – very importantly on the roads he was using, which were often barely better than tracks – comfortable ride and seats.
He also had a split rear window Beetle under his house when he died, which mysteriously disappeared in the days after his death. I have a suspect! An Edison phonograph of late 1920’s vintage also disappeared, only to be seen years later in a distant (by marriage) relatives pool room!
Sweet story. My dad bought a similar line of 2nd hand Europeans when his family was still young, so your story really resonates. I’ve seen a few 504s in the last few weeks. A sedan with really evocative yellow aftermarket fog lights and a wagon that was timeworn but still in regular use. Always like looking at those distinctive lines.
You don’t see that every day, an American and her Pop sharing an interest in a Peugeot. The 604 and 505 both used components from the 504, the 604 even had the same doors.
Thanks for sharing Laurie, neat story.
I feel kind of lucky about my high school ride, it was a 68 F-85, the worst repair I had was a worn out distributor. It was over 22 years old when I got it & it still had a functioning 2spd tranny. Seems like everyone had or wanted a g body but they couldn’t lay a patch like me.
In the mid 1990s my Peugeot 404 ute needed a new clutch,price $120.My nephew’s Japanese small 4WD clutch cost $900.In 2001 my beautiful 1968 404 sedan needed the rack and pinion steering unit reconditioned,advised that now they don’t recon them, I was told they could sell me a complete new unit for approx $320.Mechanic brother was amazed because a Holden Commodore rack cost over $1,000.I could always easily access new parts,not that I needed many because the 404s were exceptionally reliable.Friends own Peugeot 306,parts for those are more expensive.
I wonder whether those prices reflect the continuing global demand for old Peugeot parts? Also the fact that it was such a long-running model.
I have the Citroen bodied equivalent to a 306, I find parts remarkably cheap and easy to get even new from China, PSA has a joint venture with Dong Feng there and brake parts from 3rd tier suppliers in Italy worked out quarter the price of genuine for the rear axle. You friends need to stay clear of the Peugeot store and shop at an independent garage one that knows what its doing.
Kiwibryce,he is a man who doesn’t investigate cars or parts,so goes to a dealer.Strange that when you control the newsroom of a national broadcaster your investigative abilities do not extend to all areas of the life.
after many years of ownership of his 1994 Peugeot 306,one engine overhaul and a new clutch and gearbox,he,as usual bought a seven year old Citroen C4,have read conflicting reviews of those,what do you think of them?
Theres a tidy 504 for sale locally on trademe quite tempting except its automatique and I have too many cars already.
Beautiful story Laurie! One of the many reasons CC is so great is because of our personal experiences with cars and how they remind us of the different chapters of our lives.
504 had been somewhat a luxury car in the ’70’s and ’80’s owned by the companies (factories) in some countries of the continent and of course by “gast arbeiters” when they had arrived to homeland for summer vacations. There had been also popular the station wagon with added third row of seats in the trunk compartment almost as same as in the american built wagons. Lots of them were used as taxis. Then finally they disappeared during the ’90’s. The mindblowing encore to the 504 was the 604 when Peugeot push it as a high-end flagship to the market. These two types were the most remarkable Peugeots of my generation. Till the early ’00’s an old couple has still driven a mint light green metallic 504, they came home every summer from France. Then one summer the 504 disappeared…they replaced it with an at that time all new Suzuki Grand Vitara. I wasn’t able to got a ride in a 504. But I made it with a 604 V6 automatic. This got a factory made separated double exhaust pipes and a nice V6 badge on the trunklid. Almost America…packed and decorated by French.
Nice story and it shows the French did not understand the first thing of the US car market.
There was nothing wrong with their cars, really nothing.
Their organisation was devastating, they did not have “a plan ”
They could have been successfull, if you are successfull in Europe, South America, Africa you can be successfull in the States.
Unfortunately for the French,the last person or persons you want to run your US operation are French people
And this is exactly what Peugeot did.
The last manager standing for Peugeot of USA was a French accountant
After his appearance the business was ruined.
And Peugeot left the USA with their tail between their legs.
Probably one of the most stupid Peugeot decisions ever made.
The 205 was luring to make its debut.
And what do’ýa-think the Americans would have thought of the 205 GTI ?
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL ! WANT WANT WANT !
Need I say more?
Meanwhile in Europe a brake overhaul (new pads all around) would set you back what $ 250???
A set of pads would cost ya $ 75 at the most, a disc maybe $ 50 a piece
Only tricky part would be the rear discs with the handbrake cable.
Nothing fency actually.
“…if you are successfull in Europe, South America, Africa you can be successfull in the States.” Other than the Germans, history would suggest otherwise.
I loved your story. Neither of my parents was a “car person” so all of my early car purchases were on my own. It would have been cool to find a unique car with my Dad. However, I did help my own son do such a thing.
As some others have said, I truly enjoy these personal stories. The cars are interesting, of course, but so are what they mean in our lives. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Fantastic story Laurie! It’s funny how so many 504 owners have similar stories – falling in love with the car in our adolescence, being overmatched by the car’s mechanical demands, then leaving/abandoning the car with sincere regrets and fond memories. I’ve got my own COAL 504 story I’ll have to write up but I would note that 30 years after my first 504 I returned to 504 ownership, this time much better prepared mechanically, and it’s been just great. As noted, they’re not hard to fix at all and as for cachet, they still have it in spades.
Your story actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
What a nice treat to find this story after a hectic family weekend.
I got the car bug from Dad, too, and now my teenage daughter is completely in love with karting, Formula 1, and a nearby rusty ’68 Plymouth that just recently disappeared, despite her naming it “Jonathan,” which should have been enough to claim ownership, I’d think. 🙂
Anyway, Laurie, thank you for sharing this bracing reminder that “these are the good old days.” I hope you write more here.
Nice story, Laurie. Many brake shops want to replace everything under the sun to avoid legal issues. Even though it was thirty years ago, the parts were probably expensive and only factory parts were probably what those shops would use. Although less honest shops would use cheaper parts and then call the dealer to get factory part pricing and bill the customer accordingly. Good to know your Dad was still checking up on you at that gas station, he probably still is.
Great story, really enjoyed reading it! I always wanted a Peugeot, especially a 504 or 505, and came close many times, but never managed to pull the trigger or come up with the funds. Like most others here, I did manage to own plenty of other weird and troublesome cars when I was young that all ended up leaving me penniless and walking home. Most didn’t even get the dignity of being sold, just left on the side of the road or crushed at the wreckers for a few bucks. I actually kinda wish I still had the freedom to not give a crap about something like that!
Also, what a bunch of BS that they wanted so much money to do the brakes. These really were simple cars and although I’m sure the parts were pricier than pads and rotors for a Buick, I’m also sure the shops were making a ton of $$$ marking them up. Nowadays, you can find almost anything for a car like this really cheap online. It might take a few days to get there, but the wait is well worth it.
Right after I read this, I was driving to the store and a folksy kinda song sung by a young female singer came on the radio with the lyric “you been a good old wagon, you got me there in style, but you left me here to walk a ragged mile” – I had to chuckle at that, seemed appropriate!
Great story, thanks so much for sharing!
Really a fantastic story. These personal accounts are some of my favorite pieces on CC. I never owned anything that exotic–despite several flirtations with something foreing/older/more interesting I always returned ot my old semi-reliable Malibu–but I can completely sympathize with the feeling, as can I suppose most here! 504’s have never been common in my memory, except for one; a fellow who lived in the same apartment complex as my family when I was probably 5 or 6 had a blue 504. I knew of the 505 as that was still a current car at the time, but the 504 always impressed me so much more.
Enjoyed your last paragraph too. Some things are more than coincidence…
Agree!
I drove a silver (’73?) 504 to my junior prom in May 1979 – although we had three or four cars in our family’s driveway (none of them too nice), I asked a family friend if I could borrow her 504 for that evening. They has three mid-Seventies 504’s (replacements for their previous 404s – they were hardcore Pug fans): the mom’s silver 504 auto, the dad’s diesel 504 wagon (he REALLY didn’t like that car), and Junior’s white 504 with a stick – maybe one of the most mercilessly-hooned teen-driven vehicles of the 1970’s; I could see how these cars sneered at African jungles and desert rallies. They handled well, and had seats that remain unmatched in comfort – awesome vehicles.
Great story. I love the car connection established in the narrative between a dad and his daughter. It reminded me of the quest my daughter and I embarked upon many years ago for her first car. The mission was simple…find something relatively inexpensive, hopefully reliable and safe, economical, and oh, did I mention inexpensive. The car itself turned out to be a good buy, but is long gone. I still cherish fond memories of that event, however.
It is a wonderful story,beautiful and sad at the same time.The reminder pour moi is when I left the polluted,corrupt and simplistic island of Tasmania to work for the Australian Education department in Adelaide in 1986,was sitting on a Saturday morning and reading the newspaper,remember them,and there was a Hillman Imp for sale,one owner.I knew little of the Imp but my former workmate,the head of a capital city council planning and architecture department did know about Imps. So we went to look at the milk coffee coloured Imp and the then original owner,a woman of approx early 40s said that it was her first and only car and that her dad bought it for her as a 21st birthday present.It was in great condition and when he paid the $500. dollars she was emotional,was hard to not shed tears.She was a wonderful woman with a great heart as many Italian Australians exhibit.Have shed a few tears over the 504 story,thanks.