Fully imported right-hand drive cars were sold in Australia in small volumes.Įssentially, the 504 offered more of the same. One-marque loyalty (fanaticism even!) was probably stronger for Peugeot than any other European marque (with the possible exception of Volkswagen) through the 1953-1970 era.Īt home in some beautiful French countryside, this 504 wagon could carry huge loads while offering outstanding dynamics. If the success of the 203 gave the Peugeot brand a good name, it was the loyalty of owners which sustained it. But this percentage dropped sharply (from about 65 per cent to 38) with the 504 and this accounted for some of the price increase. Cars such as the Renault 12 and 16 and the Peugeot 404 boasted a very high percentage of local content and were priced competitively. Amazingly, given the rivalry between the two marques, it was Renault Australia which controlled the operation, having acquired the assembly plant formerly owned by Continental and General Distributors.
Like the 404 the new car was assembled on a site near the 1956 Olympic Village in Heidelberg, Victoria. Fair enough, I guess, when you consider that the 504 really was considerably more car for money. From being priced at around Holden Special and then Holden Kingswood levels, the 1.8-litre 504 had to compete with a well-optioned Holden Premier or Ford Fairmont. This helps to explain why sales were strong, even though the new model sold in a higher price class than any of its predecessors. Sun Yellow was a popular colour and was seen on other cars assembled by Renault Australia in the early 1970s, notably the Renault 12 and Renault 16.īy the time the 504 was released here in May 1970, the Peugeot brand had amassed great respect. Considering this was also the year of the Jaguar XJ6 makes the achievement even more impressive. The 504 garnered more than 50 per cent of the votes to win the 1968 European Car of the Year Award. And 20 years on, you’d have a 504 rather than an HQ Premier (with or without a V8 engine).
No question, in 1953 given a choice between a Holden 48-215 and a 203 to tackle an interstate journey, you’d choose the Pug. Hallmarks were adroit handling, sharp steering, excellent ride, remarkable rough road ability, durability, comfort, and performance beyond expectation for engine size, along with laidback cruising and remarkable point-to-point ability.
#LION GROWL HUMP TRIAL#
Having developed a template with the 203, which made its name forever in Australia by winning the first Redex Round Australia Trial in 1953, the Peugeot product planners simply made sure each successive model offered more of the same. This engine could trace its ancestry directly to the 203 where its capacity was just 1290cc. Maitland pharmacist Ken Tubman’s Peugeot 203 won the inaugural event in 1953.Īt the announcement of the Peugeot-Citroën merger came in 1974, the 404 was still available in Europe as a cheaper alternative to the 504 which was offered with either the original 1.8-litre four or the bored-out 2.0-litre unit. The 504 was more at home on Aussie dirt roads than most European cars, thanks to its Redex Trial heritage.
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