203 stuff

[Russell Hall]

This 1958 UK ad for Peugeot claims a 70 mph cruising speed for the 203C, no doubt as a response to the 70 mph limit on the new M1. Some Australian ads for early cars also claimed a 70 mph cruise. Probably optimistic for the early cars. They could attain a 72 mph top speed on test with enough road but acceleration beyond 65mph was slow. The Autocar could get no more that 66 mph from their test 203 at Montlhery in 1951. Beyond 55 mph a 203 became noisier but they really didn't make any more noise at 65 mph than 60 mph. Conservative mechanics urged against driving them flat out - perhaps they were thinking of the drivers. An early car in good order should have no difficulty with a modern 100kph freeway.
A 203C had a claimed top of 75 mph and on test usually reached 74 mph. In 1962 Autocar tested a second hand 1960 model 203. They found it would hold 70 mph on the M1 but thought a headwind would challenge it.
Note the 403 cabriolets. Two right hand drives were listed in the for sale columns of Motor. A 403C was listed as an import into the ACT in 1964 but nothing seems known about it. Possibly a diplomatic car that was taken home.

 

[Russell Hall]

This ad took two of the comparative weaknesses of the 203 head on.
Hill climbing was not a strength. In most circumstances like climbing the Pentlands the car would pull well but a laden 203 would get winded on longer hills while six cylinder Holdens whizzed past. The very first cars had a high second gear. There were situations where the revs weren't kept up and a restart in the non-syncro first became necessary. The 1951 cars had a lower second and the problem was largely gone. The 203 was rated to climb a one in three hill and would wind up any look- out in first.
The 203 was designed and geared as a long distance tourer. It never gave the impression of being slow at traffic lights but its figures were inferior not only to the Holden but to its British opposition. The early cars took 22 seconds to reach 50 mph compared to under 14 for a Holden. Its figures were inferior to the Austin A 40, Morris Minor and even the Morris Oxford (only just). Fortunately most people didn't take much notice of figures and anyone who tested one didn't find it a slug. Although one publication suggested the body was too heavy for the engine. On the contrary the perception of the 203 was of a fast, even sporting saloon that could put in good point to point times.

 

[friday403]

203 C - best time I can recall was late '70s run from BP Bridge in 7th Street Mildura to BP Oakbank (then south of Calder Raceway, north of Keilor; now demolished) - five hours flat. My old boss had done it in a 911S Porsche in 4 hours something and I was keen to see what the 203 could do. Only time I saw a police car was north of Charlton and I don't think he believed the 203 could be going that fast - he didn't follow. The 203C didn't like a long hill but never had a problem keeping up otherwise. The distance between the start and Melbourne was 350 miles on the old roads so approx 338 miles travelled. I did slow down for towns but otherwise no stops.

 

[friday403]

The slowest trip same run (Melbourne to BP Bridge) some time after, was when I bought a 203 Wagon. I needed an engine but had to take the whole car. Caught the train down from Mildura and was met at the station by the owner, driven to quarry in his tipper, 203 sitting at bottom. Jump start and off it went, fuel added, crossed town (directly through the CBD) to inspect further. Don't ask about the number plates. Waited till dark, made sure lights worked. A bit of rust, not a lot of rubber in back suspension. 13 hours all up; couldn't do it any faster as the suspension shake was a killer.

 

[Russell Hall]

There's a misunderstanding that the Redex victory made Peugeot in Australia. It's true that the victory made Peugeot a household name but from the time the car was released at the end of 1949 it was well respected by those who knew about cars and sold strongly. For the price of a 203 you could buy a working class cottage in Fitzroy or a terrace in St Kilda so only the solid middle class could afford one. The car was carrying over two hundred pounds in duty so it wasn't going to be a best seller but it sold well. In July 2021 Peugeot sold 187 cars in Australia in a monthly market of 84,000 cars. Take the forty vans out and that is around the monthly 203 sales figures for the early 1950's in a monthly market of around 8000 cars (1951). In proportional terms it was like selling 1600 cars a month in the present market.
There were good reasons for its success that the present importers could benefit from studying. The first was the car - strong, distinctive aerodynamic shape, excellent dynamics and well suited for both city and country.
The next was the competent importers. Well established in the motor trade and they set up dealer networks all over Australia not just the cities. They stood behind the cars and vital for any imported car had a guaranteed stock of spare parts in Australia. Something that is not seen as important by the present importer.
Lastly the cars were well priced at around the level of Holden. "Premiumisation" had never been heard of. I think Peugeot supplied at a good price.
It has been noted before that Peugeot sales "flatlined" at the 203 level for decades as the market increased around them. One might have hoped the 203 success could have been built on but a series of unfortunate government and commercial decisions meant there were sales spikes but also slumps so that sales continued to return to the 203 level. Where they are today.

 

[alpine]

Jackie Stewart Peugeot dealer in Delegate said 203 held the record for fastest time to Canberra when the road was gravel.
Delegate sold 16 late 203 in one year( including utes ), later sold several of the first batch of 403 which were not as reliable

 

[Russell Hall]

A few random 203 pictures to amuse those who are locked down (rather than locked up).

 

[Dano]

Love it!!

 

[Russell Hall]

Green 203 is a South African car, June 1949 build

 

[Russell Hall]

I've put this up before but I love the title. The funkstrifenwagen. So self explanatory.
I know just how she feels about a 203 ute.
A wagon but look closely and it's actually a van.

 

[Steven King]

Glazed-van ( Citroen had a word for it re. GSes ) very nicely done - factory, surely?
(there is a tag on the sill which I think is something like a load rating - not coachworks)
maybe a wagon on the other side, I.e. just one door deleted to special order by adapting pressings, given the location of side-light & trafficator (?) and what could be a back seat …

 

[Russell Hall]

When you look carefully at it the impression is there of a different paint. Photo too old to be photoshopped, background in a Paris street scene, looks more like a wagon with a door sealed than a van with windows. Always wondered about it.

 

[Russell Hall]

A few photos of the 1950 Peugeot Monte Carlo Rally cars, taken by Luc Crapez. Note a rather leisurely, relaxed pace, no advertising material plastered all over the cars and how poorly dressed the crews were in a more austere time.
The last two are from 1952. The Peugeot of chief driver Charles de Cortanze has broken down and he is fixing it himself.

 

[peter munro]

my 203 & 406 + older pictures...

 

[Russell Hall]

A few more pics

 

[Russell Hall]

And more. The ambulances are on the Saigon wharf during the French war.

 

[peter munro]

still locked down in Dorrigo NSW...more time to work on the Van, working on the front guards...

 

[Russell Hall]

A few more.

 

[Russell Hall]

And on.

 

[Russell Hall]

I'll put up a few pictures when I have time before the site closes.