The 504 was my very first car - the car I learned to drive in. When Peugeot was still sold in the United States, my great uncle owned a Peugeot dealership in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sadly, Peugeot pulled out of the U.S. market in 1991. A wonderful brand with a great heritage 🇫🇷
When I was a kid around 10 years old in the early to mid-1980s, after we had left Germany for the Middle East, I asked my father why he kept buying Simcas (and later a Talbot, then a 504) instead of just getting a Mercedes-Benz. "In time, you're going to appreciate just how much better any Peugeot is than any German car you could think of." Today, in 2024, when I'm already past 50, my daily driver is an air-conditioned Peugeot 504 Familiale with a five-speed. And this is after I had owned multiple Mercedes-Benzes - and experienced first-hand just how terrible to drive, expensive to maintain, and involved to keep on the road they really were. Never again. My backup vehicle is a 1991 Toyota Cressida station wagon (or a Break, as the French would call it.)
The Peurgot 404, the model before this, was called the car that colonised Africa. Reliable and lasted forever. The 504 took over from it and there are probably lots still going strong in Africa and elsewhere
My father owned a Peugeot 504 from 1984 to 1988 in Dar es salaam Tanzania I was very young but I still have very good memories of the car and its my plan to buy one not very far from now I really love Peugeot
Why my father drove a Peugeot 504? Well I think firstly because he needed a bigger car with a bit more engine power to tow our family caravan and secondly because he could buy that car cheaply from his brother-in-law. Our 504 was an azure familiale with three rows of seats. Production year 1976, we got it in 1979, I think. The car had a four-speed gearbox and the lever on the steering wheel. I think the car only had the 1.8 petrol engine, and furthermore the car was quite spartan. What I really liked about the car was its roadholding, handling and the sea of space it offered. In 1990, my parents lent me the car for a holiday abroad with friends. All our luggage went in with ease. But in the sun, sitting on the beige skai upholstery was not really pleasant. I also noted then that a 4-speed gearbox is a shortcoming when driving on the German Autobahn. However, unpaved roads through mountainous terrain were no problem: the 504 confirmed its robust reputation (although my father later did manage to break a spring plate when driving through a pothole with a heavy load). In 1992, the car was sold ‘for export to Africa’. I wonder how long it drove around there. Among the cars I later owned myself were a Peugeot 205 and a 405. Currently, I own a 1965 Peugeot 204.
it was my dads car in nigeria in the 80s and 90s. they would fix it over and over and over. its a different mentality than the American " just get a new one"
i had a 504 estate in the late 80s . petrol engine. massive load space.had to change drivers door as original was rusted through.but apart from that it just kept going.
My both grandpas owned peugeot 504, and my father too. This car is legendary, but unfortunately, after the death of my grandpa (on my father side) in 1981, the car was sold. And after the death of my grandpa (on my mother side) in 1986, the car is put in a museum. And the car that was owned by my father, was sold too in 1992, and then, my father bought a Renault Super 5 (from France)
@@VintageVault-ct9nf Your opening had spelling of Peaugeot, which of course is incorrect. It is Peugeot. Pronunciation is often a problem, particularly for Americans. I suggest people obtain the correct pronunciation from a suitable website.
No need to be pedantic, we are from different countries and the pronunciation of Peugeot will always differ based on where one is from, he can at least fix the spelling
My dad had two of them…….Alpine stereo was the only aftermarket item….ignition on the left side….one got stolen and the other was in an accident……did I mention my first accident was in a Peugeot 504…..the day after he spent $500 in winterizing the vehicle!
My late father owned one, eventually sold it to a lad who intended to drive it through the centre of Australia, including Kakadu. The 4wd owners laughed at him when he turned up to go through the same 4wd only tracks, creek beds etc that they were. The car not only made it through but literally ended up towing a few 4wd's out when they became bogged. They weren't laughing any more. True story, these Pugs are as tough as nails.
My dad had a blue one from the office and later on he was given a diesel version which we used for a short while,very strong cars but our family friend had a white one we used to travel a lot with and it was fast on the road and sweet to ride in.
Like MOST Cars of the time They Rusted Away!! Admittedly Some Rusted FASTER than Others , BUT They All Went the Same Way. Remember the Datsun Cherry?? 😮
In the 1980's & 1990's, one of my businesses was shipping 2nd hand Peugeot 504 estate cars to the African continent. It was after a fortunate meeting with a lady from Kenya who was shipping containers of 2nd hand bathroom suites & kitchens back home that I became involved. Excellent business. Superb cars.
I had one myself. It was a 1973 504 TI in metallic green. I bought it in 1977 and drive it up to 1984. The only concern that I had was the constant war against rust. But wow, how fast and comfortable it was. I was very proud on that car. On a German highway I once drove 190km/h, which was very fast those days. Fantastic car!
In the late 60s I was amazed when I saw the first 504. My uncle bought one in the 70s. I bought mine in the mid 80s. Currently I have a collection of the following Peugeot cars Peugeot 504 saloon Peugeot 504 pick up Peugeot 505 saloon Peugeot 505 pick up Peugeot 404 saloon. They are very attractive to people who visit my home I am a Tanzanian living in Kilimanjaro.
I owned a 1971 Peugeot 504 i drove it for 17 years it was a very nice and comfortable car over bumpy roads it was so smooth. I also purchased a 1993 Peugeot 405 Mi16 which was a very nice sporty car, it had a wonderful OHC engine, it was one of my favorite Peuugeot's... I owned a 504, 405 Mii6, 306 XSI, 306 GTI6, 307 XSI 👍 Au
Having owned at '79 504 diesel,I can attest to it's allround brilliance. In spite of being close to 25yrs old when purchased, it drove beautifully. Here in Australia, only a lack of spare parts available lead me to regretfully sell it. The fellow that brought it to onsell said that they were known as a "desert taxi",such was the inbuilt strength of the vehicle.
I owned a 1972 gasoline sedan and a 1975 diesel station wagon. My Dad owned a 1974 diesel station wagon. I feel that these were the last real Peugeots, the later ones were flimsy and unreliable by comparison.
Because in the mid seventies there were not much cars with diesel engine and peugeot had reliable engines and was less expensif than MB.My dad had a 75 1.9 diesel and a 79 2.1diesel
My dad has owned 2 of them and I traveled quite a lot in them. I remember them being very comfortable, pretty good looking and never any break down! An excellent family car!
Yes, my father owned one in the United States and two in Nigeria. I miss being driven in that car. Now, I want to buy one. I have been searching for over ten years. I might have to visit Nigeria to buy one.
They didn't get anywhere near the respect they deserved. In Australia it was all about Fords and Holdens. Whilst they had a nice powerful engine they were cars that had a very short life compared to pretty much everything. In the 90s our 1979 Peugeot was still going strong whilst all the Fords and Holdens of that vintage were absolute wrecks. But I think Top Gear is right, the French usually can't be bothered making a globally well liked car. Looks like you've got more than enough going on.
