(first posted 1/21/2013) You’ll have to indulge my Peugeot 404 mania one more time, as this is the first Coupe sighting posted at the CC Cohort, by BiTurbo228. We’ve looked at the Cabriolet, and you’ve already heard way to much about the sedan, full size, and not quite full-size. But the coupe? Well, its one of those cars that can look utterly classy and elegant in some pictures, and a just a wee bit off others. These shots rather split the difference. So I’ll show you a variety of them.
Unlike its truly superb successor 504 Coupe, the 404 Coupe and Cabriolet used much of the sedan front end, stylistically, if not the actual sheet metal. The rest of the body was pretty off-the rack Pininfarina for the time, and shares much in common with the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet.
I had a major hard-on for one of these during my 404 years, and regret not buying the one I found in a 404-fanatic’s storage lot in Asuza. But then, he probably wouldn’t have let it go anyway in the end, despite the fact that it was getting sunburned after years of sitting outside. Just as well.
The one to really have is the fuel injected version, which was not sold in the US. The Kugelfischer mechanical injection is a marvelous device, and gave the 1600cc engine some serious spunk, for the times.
We can dream…
Ive been expecting to see this write up ever since I spotted this on the cohort, rare as here noone thought to CKD the coupe.
Definitely a touch of Lancia about the styling. I suppose the Pug would have been a bit cheaper than a Lancia though.
Hmm, pretty but yes, something slightly not quite right, like one of those early weirdly-off Japanese coupe efforts. The profile reminds me of Michelotti’s Prince Skyline coupe.
The problem withPininfarina was as you stated the “off the rack” design. Lancia, Fiat, Saab… Sometimes his cars was like shopping for fashion at the Mall. They could all kind of come out looking like denim.
His Peugeot’s on the other hand seem to have had a rather timelessness about them: never very beautiful or stylish but wore well. Guess that is what VW is doing with the Golf. Unfortunately the Peugeots of the last 25 years look $10 blue jeans, wear once and through away.
The shot with the model does not show off the cars lines like the other two do. Hiding the flair of the rear quarter and the aft pillar does the car no justice.
It’s pretty but the kink in the rear side windows seems a bit off. The 504 Coupe comes off as much more elegant and flowing.
The way the rear line of the door cuts forward partway down adds to the general weirdness of the design.
I agree that door line is weird.
I think it’s really cute. I assume it’s a “genuine” hardtop?
Nothing beats that Panhard coupe featured last year for cuteness, however, even if it wasn’t a “genuine” hardtop!
Quite attractive. The only thing that spoils it for me is that ridge/drip rail that runs down the middle of the C pillar. Otherwise, I can see why you would have wanted one of these.
I think it’s a handsome little bugger!
It has a nice, clean, flowing design and I like that the rear quarter panels echo the C pillar. It also has a nice downward slope toward the rear that starts right at the front of the car. What keeps it from being really classic is a wheelbase that is 4-6″ too long. If they took that out between the rear of the door and the wheel house, removed an inch or two of length from the roof aft of the door and then shortened the deck by an inch or two it would have a much trimmer profile.
I am betting that they were stuck with the sedan wheelbase…
Yeah Id bet theres a stock 404 under all that, its not the greatest looking car but quite cool and really rare
Thankyou for the feature. I didn’t even know how cool these little things are when I first saw it.
I wonder how much they go for in the UK, if there are any for sale that is.
Nice, I like its looks. Here’s a shot from the 4 o’clock angle, quite nice.
With manual transmission and no power accessories (and the fan clutch disabled) the 404 coupe could be a fine car. But, “The Kugelfischer mechanical injection is a marvelous device. We can dream…” In a Peugeot? Are You Mad?!?!
Pininfarina Landcrab coupe?
My 404 Coupé has Kugelfischer injection and it is marvellous to drive. It is a good looking car from most angles, and is generally considered by Le Club 404 as the best-looking of the 404s, ahead of the Cabriolet. White is a bad colour for showing off the car’s lines (mine is white too). When I restore it I am thinking of using a medium-dark blue.
The latest tally of registered 404 Coupés and Cabriolets is 1716 cars left, worldwide (registered by VIN). I think there are about 2500 in all, and I aim to find them!
Mike, can you help someone who’s having difficulty finding parts for a 404? His name is Corey, and he left an inquiry in the comments to this post: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-outtake-back-in-my-day-parallel-parking-was-part-of-the-driving-test/
Agree on the color hues. White is the worst choice for this body style. A dark blue, green or turquoise would look the best, IMO.
Here is a nice one:
I know the owner of this example near Santa Barbara CA, and she has owned the car since it was a year old. Now for auction on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Peugeot-404C-Convertible-Cabriolet-1966-classic-peugeot-404-c-convertible-cabriolet-/251392786799?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3a882d816f&item=251392786799&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
I wonder if yet another US original 404C will be shipped back to Europe – they are really quite valuable there.
Eh! I respectfully disagree.
IMO the body style before this one and after this one are more attractive.
This is a beauty!
Nice enough, but not quite the yellow of the egg. The things that make me squint are these: The rain gutter could/should have been integrated with the door and window frame. The chrome trim should have run all the way to the back or omitted altogether and that crease just below the the side trim does not help. There are too many lines on the profile view.