The Peugeot 404 is a large family car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975. A truck body style variant was marketed until 1988. Styled by Pininfarina, the 404 was offered initially as a saloon, estate, and pickup. A convertible was added in 1962, and a coupé in 1963. The 404 was fitted with a 1.6 litre petrol engine, with either a Solex carburetor or Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection or a 1.9 litre diesel engine available as options. Introduced at the Paris Motor Show as an option was the inclusion of a 3-speed ZF automatic transmission, similar to the unit already offered on certain BMW models, as an alternative to the standard column-mounted manual unit.
Popular as a taxicab, the 404 enjoyed a reputation for durability and value. The 404 was manufactured under licence in various African countries until 1991 (in Kenya) and was manufactured in Argentina by Safrar/Sevel in El Palomar; in Québec, Canada at the St-Bruno-de-Montarville Sociéte de Montage Automobile (SoMA) Ltd. plant (1965–1968); in New Zealand by Campbell Industries; in Australia by Renault Australia Pty. Ltd.; and in Chile by Automotores Franco Chilena S.A. in Los Andes. Peugeot's French production run of 1,847,568 404s ended in 1975. A total of 2,885,374 units had been produced worldwide at the end of production.
As the model was designed by Pininfarina, the bodyshell is very similarly styled to the one used in the 1959 Austin Westminster.
Production history 1960 Saloon introduced with petrol engine and column-shift four-speed gearbox with gate "reversed" (first down, up for second, and towards the wheel for third down and fourth up) – identical to the 203 and 403 (except that fourth gear is direct drive). The Grand Touring model has square air vents on the dashboard and body-coloured wheels.
1961 Introduction of the Super Luxe model: Superstructure painted silver, chromed headlight rims, large diameter hubcaps, tan leather interior trim, front armrest. The body coloured wheels on the Grand Touring model were replaced with metallic silver ones.
1962 A new suspension with increased travel and flexibility was added. The dashboard was modified and the square air vents were replaced by circular directional vents. New reinforced drum brake linings were installed. Anti-reflective paint was used for the dashboard.
Introduction of Commerciale, Break and seven-seat Family estate versions, Commerciale / Station Wagon (gasoline U6 and Diesel U6D): June; Familiale / Family Saloon/Estate (L): September; Break / Estate Car (U6A): February 1963; Camionette bâchée / Canvas Top Van (U8, U8D, U10 & U10D): March 1967. See with tandem coil spring rear suspension in the place of the sedan's single spring arrangement. These versions have a balanced spring system to assist in opening the tailgate, different rear light clusters, rear bumper arrangement and the fuel filler cap is no longer hidden behind the rear number plate, but behind a flap in the rear wing. These variants have a longer wheelbase and are also longer ( compared to ) and heavier ( compared to ) than their saloon equivalents. The Commerciale (U6) is fitted with a 1468 cc engine (XB2), producing at 5000 rpm.
Convertible launch
The Peugeot 404 cabriolet/convertible made its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961 and the accompanying coupé version was launched six months later. The convertible and coupé bodyshells were made by the Pinin Farina workshops in Turin and only the floorpan and mechanical elements were shared with the saloon. These models were initially powered by the same single carburetter engine as the saloon and the option of a fuel injected engine (XCKF1) with a Kugelfischer injection system was added to the range at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1962. The US$3,899 price in 1965 put the convertible in the same price bracket as the Jaguar E-Type in the American market.
1963 The 404 Super Luxe sedan has the fuel injection engine (XCKF) and has door cappings trimmed with leather. The 404 Grand Touring sedan adopts painted side window trims instead of chrome. The steering wheel and horn ring are changed. In March the 404 Diesel with Indenor engine (XD85) is launched, although this is only built for seven months before being updated for the next model year. Between July and September, the carburetted engines of the sedan adopts five bearings (XC5), as do the fuel injected models (XCKF1).
The Family estate gains a split middle row of seats to improve access to the rear row The 404 coupé is introduced with the same body as the cabriolet but with a fixed roof.
1964 The 404 Diesel's XD85 engine is replaced by the XD88, which has a more powerful and reliable Bosch pump. Rubber over-riders were now fitted on the bumpers, and bi-colour oval front indicator clusters were equipped on coupés and convertibles (a similar design was used later on sedans and derivatives).
1965 Injection engine XCKF1 () replaced by XCKF2, with power increased to . For the new model year, XC5 carburettor engine power is increased to in September 1964. Thermostable Hydrovac brakes servo-assisted by a mechanical vacuum manufactured by Bendix. The Super Luxe, coupé and convertible get eight-hole wheel covers cells instead of six-hole ones. New seat pads for Grand Touring, with cloth quilted to form longitudinal ridges similar to the 404 Super Luxe. All models are given reclining front seats.
In October 1964 the 404 A8 was introduced, using an updated version of the 403's 1.5-liter engine called the XB2 and with stripped down equipment. "A8" signifies Administration and 8 tax horsepower; this model was only available to French government agencies. This version was built until September 1967 (when the 404/8 replaced it) but only 525 examples left the lines.
1966 The Grand Touring saloon is available with the XCKF2 injection engine. It was also available with a ZF automatic gearbox. The front indicator light clusters are now orange / white on all models. Two tone door linings (black top and bottom) on all models. Cigarette lighter fitted on Super Luxe only. Brake compensator fitted on petrol models. In June 1966, the millionth Peugeot 404 left the band at Peugeot's Sochaux plant.
1967 The new XC6 carburetor engine fitted with increased power of net (80 bhp SAE). The engine bearings benefitted from improved shells. Rear anti roll bar fitted. New dashboard with three round dials. The spare wheel is relocated from inside the boot to under rear of the car. The rear valance is amended (Saloon only) and the capacity of the petrol tank is increased from (saloon). Cigarette lighter fitted on all models, Super Luxe has automatic light on lockable glovebox. The front of coupés and convertibles is redesigned, incorporating a new grille with integral driving lamps and rectangular indicator clusters. The convertible hood now has a "Panoramic" rear window and the seat mechanism is improved for better accessibility.
In March, unveiling of the Camionnette bâchée / Canvas Top Van (pick-up).
1968 In October 1967, at the Paris Salon, the 404/8 Confort model (8 CV) was added to the range. Called the XB5, this is a development of the XB2 engine used in the 403 since 1960 and also in the 404 A8. It is an economy model, fitting into a lower French puissance fiscale (road tax) class than the 9 CV version, but unlike the earlier 404 A8 this version was generally available to the public. It used the earlier dashboard design and bumpers without over riders, along with painted rather than chromed headlight surrounds. This was also the first 404 model to benefit from front disc brakes. 8 CV cars were not imported into the UK, but some RHD models are produced for other markets. Unlike the left-hand drive version, right-hand drive 404/8 models received drum brakes all around. Despite a price about ten percent lower than the 9CV model, the step-up in taxes between an 8 and a 9CV was minimal at this time and the 404/8 was not a strong seller, apart from with government agencies.
The last 404 Coupé and Cabriolet models were produced in October 1968, after a production run of 17,223 units.
For model year 1968, reversing lamps were fitted to Super Luxe while a new gearbox with European grid (BA7) was fitted on all models in place of the "C3" box. New steering wheel, dashboard modified.
1969 Peugeot launches the 504. 404 Injection no longer offered, new door interior panels introduced. Front disc brakes fitted on all petrol models. The 404/8 is modified for the new year, only to be discontinued in October 1969 so as to not compete internally with the new 7CV Peugeot 304.
1970–1972 For 1970, the 404 Super Luxe was discontinued, while the 404 (8 CV) Confort was discontinued in the domestic French market, leaving the Grand Touring, Break and Familiale models to continue in petrol and diesel forms. The 404/8 Confort continued to be produced for export markets until February 1972.Allain (1996), p. 22 The Grand Touring receives chrome headlight rims and reversing lights as standard. Wing-mounted indicator repeaters are no longer fitted. New XC7 engine fitted (de-tuned to ), but with torque equivalent to XC6.
New front indicator clusters from 1971, which was also the last year that the Break and Familiale models were sold in France.Allain (1996), p. 17 Two-speed windscreen wipers introduced on the sedan 1972, with an optional rear screen demister.
1973–1975
The water temperature gauge was replaced by a warning lamp on the dashboard, grille shield is replaced by lion. The optional automatic transmission (which is now six positions: PRN 3 2 1) remained available until the end of 1974. In May 1975, production of European passenger models ceased. By this time Peugeot customers in Europe strongly favoured the newer 304 and 504 models, and French 404 production was much reduced, with only 15,780 – all berlines/saloons/sedans – produced during the first five months of 1975.
Technical specifications
8 CV petrol: () (discontinued October 1969) 9 CV petrol: for carbureted models () or KF, KF1 injection ( at 5,500 rpm), fuel economy: 9 CV petrol: KF2 injection ( at 5,700 rpm). 8 CV Diesel: (). Transmission: clutch disc or semi-automatic (Jaeger electromagnetic coupler) or ZF automatic. Suspension: Coil springs with hydraulic shock absorbers front and solid axle with Panhard rod at rear. Maximum speed: (fuel injected KF2 404 Cabriolet and Coupé)