The usual fodder at car shows the world over is meticulously restored, resprayed and re-chromed to look like it came off the dealership forecourt last month. But every once in a while, one can find a lovely little car, like this 304 C, that shows its five decades of patina without blushing, rust, scratches and bald patches and all.
This is not the first 304 we’ve had on CC, but I believe it is the first coupé, though we’ve seen this body in its 204 incarnation. These used to be relatively common when I was growing up – they were pretty, reliable and affordable, so they sold very well on their home market. But then the rust happened, and by the late ‘90s, the 204/304 C, i.e. both Cabriolet and Coupé, had become an endangered species.
It all started with the 1.1 litre 204 version. This was the first FWD Peugeot, but aside from the drivetrain, it would follow the carmaker’s usual recipe: a dab of Pininfarina styling (with some in-house mixed in), super solid construction and a complete range of body styles – the bread-and-butter saloon and wagon, launched in 1965, followed by the glamourous coupé and convertible in 1966.
At the 1969 Paris Motor Show, Peugeot unveiled the 304 saloon and wagon, essentially a 204 with a revamped nose, a bigger tail and a 1.3 litre engine. The 204 did not disappear, though – it was enjoying its best year, as a matter of fact, being the top-selling model in France for MY 1970. But there were going to be some changes in the range nonetheless: by March 1970, the 204 C range was seamlessly replaced by the 304 C, again with a revamped nose and the bigger 65hp (DIN) engine.
Unlike the saloon, the 304 Coupé’s rear end was not made bigger, of course. That would have been pointless, and would have ruined the design. They did replace the 204’s dainty elongated taillight clusters with those chunkier square items, but that’s about it.
The 304 C was the only model to get a floor shifter from the get-go; the 304 saloons gradually adopted them from 1973 on. It can be argued that the 204 C’s dash, with its triple round dial binnacle, was a lot better-looking than this ill-fitting (and old-fashioned) rectangular set-up. But hey, at least you got a strip of fake wood.
In the spring of 1972, Peugeot upgraded the 304’s engine with a twin-choke carb as the 70hp “S” spec, enabling the 304 C to reach 160kph. Our feature car was made just before they switched to the S engine, unfortunately. Not that it makes that much of a difference.
Peugeot carried on making the two-door 304s until July 1975. This body style therefore had a nine-year run within the range – rather a long time, for this type of car. There was a clear popular bias in favour of the coupé: Peugeot sold over 42k of the 204 version and 60k of the 304, whereas they only shifted 36k of the 204/304 cabriolet combined. And I must admit that, from an aesthetic point of view, the coupé is my favourite too.
Does that mean this rough ‘round the edges example should get an appointment at the local carrosserie to tend to those sills? Maybe. Sure, chicks dig scars and matt paint is all the rage these days, but this car doesn’t need extra character. It needs preservation. It made it all the way to the ‘20s – it’s beaten the odds, but it won’t beat the rust forever.
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1975 Peugeot 304 S – The Lion’s Zenith, by T87
Cohort Classic: Peugeot 204 Coupe – Sweet Baby Peugeot, by PN
Craigslist Classic: 1971 Peugeot 304 – A Rare Survivor, But Well Done, by PN
Cohort Capsule: Peugeot 304 Convertible – You Look So Rich!, by Perry Shoar
COAL Twofer: ’71 and ’69 Peugeot 304 GL – Modern Cars, by Wolfgang
While Buick had the boat-tail Riviera, Peugeot went in an ever so slightly different direction with its own coupe in the same era. And rarely the twain shall meet. Probably all the better, although it is a pretty little thing, two more different ways of carrying four occupants in the same general concept is hard to imagine.
One wonders (well, I wonder anyway), if this is a daily driver, a project in progress, or someone’s now long-time hobby car that gets driven on Sundays to shows like this one with the focus on remaining viable instead of improving it (which is perfectly valid).
I have a real soft spot for these, although I prefer the 204, with the more interesting front end and nicer dash. I came very close to picking up a 304 sedan in CA back in my Peugeot days, but was a bit concerned about parts availability. Unfortunately the coupe and cabrio versions were not sold in the US. But then neither were the 504 C & C.
I do like to see a car with authentic signs of age, and I don’t see any actual rust on this one.
“Pretty “dapper, looking” ride. The green, convertible, version , in the “advert” is “super cool”!
In my hometown, round “72”; recall one yellow “Peugot”(1965 ish) that used to roam the streets.
Was usually parked along “West Brady” St, near “Franklin” St.
Guess that was french as we got in those days..
I think that it’s important to preserve original cars, but of course that depends on the owner’s wishes. This is a cheaper route, and it preserves the car for a future owner to restore if they wish. This will also minimize the use of non authentic parts and materials. I like restored and modified cars, but I see lots of examples where the interior could be repaired, and the paint touched up and would look quite presentable.
I like cars like this – every ding tells a story!
The cars in the background are interesting – Triumph 1300 (very interesting in its own right), MGA, Renault 5 Gordini and MR2 – are you going to be featuting any of these?
A neighbor had a white 304 cabriolet – I remember it’s high pitched gear whine sounding like a much smoother Mini.
Gone are the days when I could identify any car by sound alone….
I too could identify a car by sound alone! Once…
Neighbour had a Austin 1300 automatic, which sounded like a child crying as it upshifted. I found that very funny.
The 204/304 powertrain was a very neat take on the Issigonis arrangement and seemed not to suffer from as many drawbacks; it’s exemplary, compared to the utterly execrable E-series used in the Maxi.
I got a penchant for white 204 cabriolets having watched Charles Bronson in one, being chased by and Opel Commodore through the South of France. Cannot remember the film.
[pedant] Thats’s an A5 Alpine, because French registration. Ours were Gordinis, due to Chrysler having the rights to the Alpine name in the UK. [/pedant]
You’re right – Alpine in France, Gordini in the UK, as Rootes and then Chrysler owned “Alpine”. Same with the Renault A 110/310s I guess…
That’s not being a pedant, it’s being correct!
These small Peugeots escaped my notice until recently. I sort of forgot there were sub 504 cars before the legendary 205. These are neat little cars in the Karmann Ghia looks good but goes slow mold.
I drive my Ghia every day and this kind of car is very pleasurable – just fast enough to keep up with traffic and rowing it along is a lot of fun. I find really fast cars frustrating in today’s driving conditions…
I drive my Ghia every day and this kind of car is very pleasurable – just fast enough to keep up with traffic and rowing it along is a lot of fun. I find really fast cars frustrating in today’s driving conditions…
You’re a wise man Huey ! .
here in traffic choked So. Cal. I wonder why so many buy speedy cars they slog through 45 ~ 55 MPG commutes with .
-Nate
They’re only original once. Where have I heard that? Oh yeah, it was yesterday, when on a whim, stopped by the house of the fellow who did some upholstery work in 2013. I had stayed in touch since he knew I restored the USS Hornet and his father was a career Navy man dating back to Pearl Harbor. I learned he had suffered a heart attack at the age of 62 in December, coded, but was brought back. Thank god! He has some car stories dating back to his high school years in 1981. Ever see a four wheel drive Pontiac Grand Safari?
Anyway he has seen many, many cars until I drove by in the Ambassador station wagon. He was taken especially by the interior. Then he asked about the wood grained vinyl. Said I am not sure yet. He says maybe something can be used to protect it as “they are only original once.” He is right and so I am torn…
Nice find and well paced piece.
Thar second shot shows an interesting car show (I assume – not even a French street could be that good) with a R5 Gordini, Triumph 1300, MGA and Alfa Spider Tipo 105 as well as the Peugeot.
Yes, this was at the show I attended last summer in southwestern France. Too many cars to take them all in, but I remember that Triumph vividly — those are very uncommon in that part of the world…
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/car-show/car-show-classics-10th-salon-autos-motos-anciennes-a-bazas-july-2023-part-3-foreign-cars/
Lovely .
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before .
The fact that it’s a survivor just make it better =8-) .
I wonder if this paint can be hand massaged back to a high gloss or maybe just compound it then clear coat it……
Looks like a nifty daily driver .
-Nate`