The styling of the Peugeot 404 Cabriolet – or, as it is sold to Americans, “convertible” – will bring a glimmer of recognition to European car enthusiasts. The sensation is much like that of meeting the sibling of an old friend, or hearing new music by a familiar composer. (The realization that, yes, John Williams did write the score for The Patriot.) In this case, the recognition should be that of Pininfarina. Literally.
For those who wouldn’t identify it otherwise, a four-inch plaque decorates the dash with the Italian design house’s customary script. The resemblance to the Fiat 1500 cabriolet and the Ferrari 250 GT is strong, almost as if the shape had been computer morphed to fit the chassis and function of the various makers. Examine the themes: headlights at the leading edge of the fenders, a large rounded rectangular grill in between, the fender crest flowing back with a subtle kip-up just aft of the doors.
History/diving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 18, 2000; republished by author John Matras
Pininfarina was also responsible for the Peugeot 404 sedan, but its squared-off and creased outline shares nary a panel with the drop-top. Even the front fenders are different: ridged instead of round. The sedan’s crisp tailfins and vertical taillights are softly rounded with the taillights canted forward on the Cabrio.
Not that a 404 Cabriolet is a common sight. Peugeot built some 2.5 million 404 sedans, compared to just 10,389 cabrios. Here in the United States, Peugeot sold only 2000 to 3000 cars per year, and though it manufactured the 404 cabrio from 1960 through 1968, the droptops were imported only sporadically, coming in 1965 and 1967, according to one source. The white 1966 shown here is actually a privately imported French-market car – attested by its French-language instrument panel. Owned by a dealer for many years, it was recently acquired by Peugeot fanatics Jim and Pam Schick of Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
The Peugeot 404 Cabriolet looks lovely, but don’t confuse it with a sports car. The front buckets were modeled for luxury in the best French tradition, with little lateral support. There is a rear bench, but limited legroom, and the vertical seatback yields comfort akin to an extended-cab pickup’s rear accommodations.
The 1618-cc overhead-valve for idles almost silently and produces little more volume while underway. Like about three-quarters of all 404 cabrios, this one was equipped with Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. Squirting fuel into the intake ports raises horsepower to 85 from the 72 of the otherwise-similar carbureted engines. The motor’s silence makes it possible to hear the faint ticking of the fuel-injection unit as it varies with throttle pressure and the faint whir of the lower gears.
The Peugeot has a four-speed manual transmission, but indicative of the non-sporting nature of the beast, the shifter is mounted on the steering column. There is peculiar shift pattern as well, with the usual three-on-the-tree layout for reverse through third, but with fourth added up and back behind second. Oddly enough, considering its location, fourth isn’t an overdrive but a direct 1:1.
The dash is from the sedan, a horizontal band and needle with no tachometer. A steeply tilted steering wheel is obviously on a direct shaft to the rack-and-pinion steering, which is smooth, light and precise.
That, in fact, sums up the Peugeot 404 Cabriolet. At 2,450 pounds, it was no featherweight for the era, but it carried its weight well. It was praised by contemporary testers for its ability to carry high speed with considerable aplomb. For $3995 in mid-‘60s money, it certainly should have.
It was no racer, but a grand tourer for two in the truest sense. If Pininfarina can be accused of adapting a common theme to the Peugeot 404 cabrio, it was nevertheless done with the skill of the preeminent design house of the era. Recognizable? Yes, but unquestionably appropriate for this rare French sunshine cruiser.
Addendum: Want a direct competitor for the Peugeot 404 Cabriolet? How about the BMW 1600-2 Cabriolet, on the market at the same time as the Peugeot though, appropriately enough, with a German personality rather than French. An American equivalet from the same time period is found in the 1967 Dodge Dart Convertible. What’s your druthers?
