(first posted 7/5/2013. The Peugeot 404 continued to be made in South Africa until 1978, and as a result of further development have same unique features, like a larger engine and floor-mounted shifter. Edmund Sishange from Johannesburg, South Africa sent me this article and the pictures of his fine 404. I don’t remember that color being offered either)
I’m a 30 year old male who’s been fascinated with the French classic, Peugeot 404 since I was 4 years old. I’ll be taking you through the journey of the “South African 404” during this article.
In 1973 a change happened to the 404’s original front end. Peugeot SA decided to redesign the front fenders in order to fit the smaller Hella headlights (on right), as they were trying to save costs. It would cost them less than importing them from Europe as they always did. In order to fit the Hella ones the front fender had to be bent slightly at the edges in order to house the smaller lights, giving the 404 a bit of different look especially when you are sitting inside the car, in the front seat, it’s not too noticeable from the outside.
In fact it took me a while to make the distinction but when you sit inside the car, you realise that the fender is not as sharp all the way through. My greatest gripe with this invention is that we can’t get the Hella headlights that would fit our 404s anymore and guess what when we import the original headlights from Europe, they won’t fit unless you have an older 404, pre-1973
Now let’s get to the juicy part! When 1974 dawned, Peugot executives created a thing of wonder. They took the 1800cc(XM7) engine of the Peugeot 504L along with its its gearbox and its swan-neck shaped gear stick and fitted it in the 404.
This new 404 was also fitted with redesigned seats, the upholstery resembled those of the 504GL’s and it had a specially designed console to house the gear lever.
The floor was graced with a beautiful brown velvety carpet, once again the same one used on 504s.
The radiator was also larger to provide effecting cooling for this ambiguous 404 and they badged it the 404GL: 404 body styling with the heart of a 504.
This car was my dream for years and almost 5000 were produced between 1974 and 1978. The ordinary standard 1600 XC7 404s were also still in production and everything stopped in 1978, 3 years after the last ones were made in France, no wonder most of our “last year” 404s have the steering wheel of 504s, body parts were becoming scarce for the internationally discontinued 404
On a final note, I bought myself two beautiful GL’s on my 30th birthday last year, after a 4 year hunt! These are truly rare pugs with a great torque! Enjoy.
The green must also be a special South African colour.
On the headlights, what other cars were fitted with this diameter?
My ’67 French 404 has normal 7″ Ducelliers and then there are 5.3/4″ dia, used in many a car with quad headlights.
Or is this the VW Type 3 van dia ?
And what, no sunroof????
I’m a bit surprised about the lack of the sunroof too, given this is the top end model. My guess is that perhaps all African-built 404s didn’t have one, perhaps because folks there might consider shade from the sun more of a luxury than sitting in it?
I’d say that’s a good guess. Our last three Accords have had sunroofs, and they stay shut on hot (well, hot for Kitsap County) sunny days, but are used quite a bit in spring and fall, and stay in the closed glass/open shade almost all the time the rest of the year.
Owned 404 1800 GL my biggest mistake when I traded for a Alfa guellata. Which gave me endless problems. Ever since I have been searching for a 404. 1800 GL
Yes African ones had no sunroof, sad isn’t it?
We do have one member of Peugeot Club South Africa
who has a brown 404 and he had his sunroof custom made
by Peugeot SA when he bought the car in 1978
Please send me more details about the car (Peugeot 404 1972).Where the car parked and the price.My cell.no:072 116 3940
got a few 404’s I can show u if interested,.my no is 0762924385
504 or 404 automatic to buy must be in gòod or fair condition
Do you still have them my friend?
Looking for peugeot 404 gl
I’ve always wondered if Farina had a hand in designing these as they so closely resemble the A-55 MK II/ A-60 Austins and it’s many sibling marques.
Yes indeed. Pininfarina designed all Peugeots for quite a few decades, starting with the 403 in 1955, and continuing well into the eighties, if not later.
The 404, the BMC Farina’s (Austin/Morris/MG/Riley/Wolseley), the Lancia Flamminia and Fiat’s 1800 – 2300 all bear the resemblance of Pininfarina’s Transatlantic design.
So does the Trabant! But I doubt Farina had any hand in that one. 🙂
What a cool car! I had no idea that 404/504 hybrids existed. Enjoy!
That’s a beautiful color combination, especially the brown of the leather (?) seats…
+1 on the colour,any chance of a bit more South African iron please?
Not saying this in a bad way. but the paint color reminds me of fire truck yellow-green.
I’m pretty sure they’re vinyl.
Yes the seats are beautiful but they were re-upholstered
Original upholstery had a velvet cloth in the middle and the rest was brown leather(exactly like most 504s). The side of the seats also had a little pocket
to fit the seat belts
I see it has a hole in the front bumper for inserting a starting crank. Ever tried it out?
I did on my 404. Used it numerous times; never out of necessity, but to make an impression on other folks. Like the time I did it right on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, to show someone.
Without exaggeration, my 404 sedan was the quickest-starting car with a carb I’ve ever had. And with the crank, it just took one good pull (about 1/3 to 1/2 rotation), and the thing would start without fail. Never failed to amaze me, as well as others. I don’t know what to attribute it to.
My Minx is like that once run if it sits for a long time the carb drains but in regular service first fkick of the key or a lift on the crankhandle starts it, No power wasted on the starter motor is one reason accurate ignition timing is the other
If I had a car with one, I’d have to try it out at least once. They seem redundant with a manual transmission, since starting is usually possible with a second gear or reverse clutch drop.
If you’re in the wilds of Africa, and the road is rough enough, that’s not always an option, or at least a good one.
Every article on a Peugeot makes me more of a fan. I really like this car. It is strange to see a car built in the late 1970s that lacks the normal (to me) 70s mandated stuff like big bumpers and safety-designed plasticky interiors.
Thanks for taking us on the tour. You have some cool cars to enjoy!
Strange indeed for a 70s built car to lack big bumpers, safety designed plasticky interiors etc but I think the most obvious reason with the 404 is that it wasn’t exactly a new car in the ’70s. It was rather a continuous production of a 1960s classic
Great article, I absolutely love this car! I like these curiosities about locally-made cars and their differences to the “original ones”.
Here in Chile, 404 Peugeots were also built until 1978 (or was it 1979?) by “Automotores Franco-Chilena”, which built Peugeots from the early sixties until mid-nineties (they also built the 504, 505, 405, 205 and 307) . Anyhow, the 504esque hybridization also could be seen in the late 70s here, with 504 steering wheels, carpets, etc. Sadly, the engine and transmission remained the same…
I’m also a fanatic of this car, a few weeks ago I made a long trip to take a look of a similar coloured exemplar. Great pics in the announcment, but terrible in reality… I will have to keep looking for a late 404 Peugeot. I hope I take less than 4 years!
What about the diff? Is it the original 404 one or the one from the 504?
And one more question, about the engine pic: Are the power brakes of RHD models on the left side or is that blue drum something else? Quite an uncommon arrangement.
The 404’s rear axle was retained. The 504 had a completely different independent rear suspension that wouldn’t have fit.
I have to assume that’s the brake booster; I’m not familiar with the RHD cars, so I’m not sure how that arrangement worked exactly.
Not all 504’s had an independent rear suspension. For South America, the 504 got a solid rear axle (some of them with auto diff lock). In Europe, a solid axle 504 was also offered as the 504L, as an economy version.
Good point; I forgot about those. So did they have the torque tube rear axle like the 404, or was it an open shaft arrangement?
In any case, the 504 rear axle would have been wider. And I assumed the question only made sense in the context of the 504’s IRS.
Paul, in Europe we had a 504 L
This was a 504 bodyshell with 404 engine, gearbox (4 on the tree) and a live rear axle
Dunnow if it was from the 404, the live axle.
I had a company 504 L Diesel Estate, with a 2.1 litre Indenor, a plastic dash with a band speedo (no round gauges) and simpler seats
The “L’ was meant for companies, taxi, more as a workhorse.
When stationwagons were used as semi-vans and not to transport the kids and two dogs in the back.
With a black rubber math in the back, not beige velvet upholstery.
We’d put 600 kilos in the Peugeot, and another 1200 on the trailer.
And drove off, without a problem.
Best stationwagon I ever drove.
The bit about the 504L is very interesting, the South African GL shares the same gearbox with that car, the gear stick is also the same
Paul is absolutely right. The 404 diff remained. It’s a worm drive so you must use special oil like ESSO VT(no longer available). Castrol R40 works just fine too. If you put regular mineral gear oil, you will have no diff left after a few kilometers of regular driving
Thanks for the Castrol tip, I used to buy it, but always threw the tins away and on Castrol’s website there is no mentioning of it.
But I do know or remeber it because the tin said it was also for classic Ferrari gearboxes with bronze gears in it .
The blue drum is indeed a brake booster or servo. My understanding is that all late model 404s(1969 on) were fitted with one(internationally). I’m surprised you don’t know it
¿Existe un Peugeot 504 1ra serie 1800 cc XM en Chile?
FWIW, the 1970 MY 404s exported to the US also had the 504’s 1800cc engine, probably to simplify emission certification. Most of those were wagons, like the one we had. Except I never got to enjoy its extra power, since I bought it (for $75) with a rusted engine from a head gasket leak. I swapped in a 1600 cc junkyard motor, and with the Automatique, it was none too quick.
But this SA version with the 1800 and stick is the 404 lover’s ideal, unless one has a rare fuel injected 1600 cc 404 (Europe only).
One of my regrets is not buying a 1965,I think, Peugeot 404 sedan with fuel injection and a steel sunroof from the Peugeot/Renault dealer in Hobart,Tasmania in 1980.The car was dark blue exterior with tan interior.I bought a 1975 Renault 16ts,Arctic white/tan,in immaculate condition,instead.Kept the ts for one year,sold it and noticed a one owner’ white/black,immaculate low milage Peugeot 404 @ the dealer and bought it for $1500,cheap then.Have owned many 404 sedans and two utes.Have owned many European cars but the 404 is a most remarkable motor car.I have a book “Peugeot Guide” by Sloniger detailing history of Peugeot and emphasis on 403 and 404 and info re superchargers and other tuning items for the superb 404.
The gear level position struck me as interesting. It’s obviously meant for a left-hand drive car as the opening for the gear stick is to the left of center on the console.
Never had seen the dash of one of these, it reminds me of the BMW 2002.
Dont ever get the notion BMW invented anything they copied every good idea they ever saw
Timeless beauty. I’ve always loved the various versions of this basic Farina design. They have the kind of lines you just can’t stop staring at. I’m tempted to call it the automotive equivalent of the Greek temple 🙂
Beautiful car and the differences to our local assembly versions should be obvious unless SA supplied NZ CKD packs. I’ll find one and look closely next time, NZ does have South African market Chevrolets I do wonder what else is here.
Cool car, I think Columbo will like it. 😉
Another South African auto oddity who used a Peugeot engine was the Hillman Vouge, a local variant of the Hunter, who used the Peugeot 404 engine instead of the Rootes engine due to comply with local content requirements. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifhp97/4705601946/
and also in iran till 2008,irannational used that 1600cc carb engine from 404 on its version of hunter called PAYKAN(means arrow in parsi)&after the production of 4 door PAYKANS ended in 09(pick up is still in production with the same engine but fuel injected)they sold it to another country.quiet tough engines.
The body style, with its little fins and open grille makes me think senior series Trabant, if one had ever existed.
I’m struggling to understand what the author means about the bumber revision in 1973. I see the override differences and the addition of a tiny rectangular item/light/blanked hole for a wiper arm not present between the headlamp and the parking/turnsignal cluster. I also see the deletion of the HELLA fog lamps and maybe some differences between the bumper’s curve around the fender. But IF that rectangle is in fact a highly unusual lamp of some kind (I would wonder how effective could it had been back in the 1970’s) I would be very surprised.
And anyway, exactly HOW would all of this be “obvious” or “evident” from INSIDE the car? Does the car sit noticably lower or does it effect the sight lines between the driver’s seat and the car’s front corners? I don’t get it.
Help me please, because what was going on with those bumpers wasn’t very well explained to an idiot like me. I have been left totally lost at sea.
What “bumper revision”? I don’t see any reference to the bumpers.
It’s not that Hella foglamp (added on) that he’s talking about at all. It’s the main headlights he means. The original 404 used large Hella units; when they switched to the smaller domestically-sourced units, the top of the fender lost some of its peak or crest, and was slightly re-contoured to droop just a little. In the original 404, the top of the front fender line is quite straight to the very front end. In the revised SA version, it’s not. That is visible when sitting in the front seat, in terms of the comparison of the two, since the front fender is very visible from inside.
Does that help? He wrote it quite clearly, I thought, and never mentions the word “bumper”.
And the picture of the two 404 front ends quite clearly shows the larger original headlight and fender peak on the left car, and the revised one on the right. Notice how the ridge/peak on its front fender is not as tall/high? That’s noticeable from the driver’s seat.
Perhaps you’re interpreting “fender” as “bumper”? In UK-speak, “fender” is “wing”.
No, I see it now. My mistake was indeed confusing the fog/driving lamp with the main HEADlamp. That was combined with the fact that the fog lamp (which may/may not be HELLA) which sits atop the the bumper isn’t present in the second picture and also that little rectangular thing (BTW, What IS that reflective piece?) shows up on the newer model.
I can see how I was lead astray: when I hear HELLA, I automatically think fog/driving lamps and figured this type of front lamp they were required spec. for S. African cars. With the difference between the two headlamps barely noticeable, my attention was drawn anywhere but there.
Thanks!
Does anybody know what the performance gains were from the 1.8 engine? Presumably more in terms of overtaking as opposed to outright acceleration. Also I think the bolsters on the original seats were PVC, only the 504TI had leather in SouthAfrica
Hi Arnon, yes the original material was PVC. The 1800 motor was faster all-round giving fellow 1.6 404s a hard time. It produced a torque of 153Nm at 2500rpm and 87hp(64KW)@5300rpm. The intake manifold was also a little wider than that of a standard 404(it was the same intake used on 1800 504s)
I am wonderfully surprised about the great reaction to our (very enthusiastic) club member, Edmund Sishange’s article about his South African only 1,8litre 404. There are still some questions and statements I need to answer on, but Grand Merci for all participating!
My wife and I recently (June-July) completed a (mostly camping) holiday – our second with the same 404 – through France. We travelled 4 000 km from Antwerpen in Belgium right to Provence in the south and ran into the Tour de France in Albi. On the last day we did 830 km from Massif Central area (Clermont Ferrand) to Antwerpen.
The 404 caused the usual stir everywhere we stopped, or drove past! Saw no other 404s on whole trip, but the odd 504, 403, 304, 204, 505 and a few 405s. Hundreds (thouosands?) of 205s still around. They just keep going, more than any other make if the same vintage, Many Renault 4Ls and of course the obligatory 2CV!
Yes, i will write a story for CC, but need to sort out my 16GB of pictures!
We will keep on Peurrring…!
Dawid Botha
President Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud
Thank you for this information, I have an Australian assembled 1969 404 that my father bought new and I have had since 1989. The Australian 404 was a “single specification” model. I have also driven another 404 fitted with 2.0L 504 motor (non standard). I have driven both cars many thousands of miles across Australia for weeks at a time, and have found the 1.6L motor capable, however the 2.0L motor gives the car a punch! I have recently driven 1.3L 203 many thousands of miles and a 505 2.3L diesel 14,000km across Australia in 5 weeks (4,200km in 5 days). The 404 is still a great “touring” car.
I seem to recall reading a CAR magazine (South African version) test of the 404 GL, does anybody have a scanned copy? By the way Edmund you are a truly fortunate man to own such a rare and immaculate car! I have always admired the comfort and resilience of the older pugs but I doubt the current models will go the distance.
Hi Arnon,
I had a GL and a couple of 1600’s as an apprentice as Ford in PE late 70’s to early 80’s. I’m living in Australia now and do have a copy of the test, however, it is in a “technicar” mag.
Charlie.
Dear Arnon
I can get you a copy (not too good) of the road test of the South African Peugeot GL 1,8 litre.
Mail me at dcbotha@adept.co.za
It appeared in CAR magazine in JULY 1980.
Mmmh, I love this Pug’s 404 History. I have a 1966 404p/up & its doing me fine.and indeed on highways it has made more pple who had left them on the rocks revive them back thanks alot I’ keep on maintaining it and guess me gonna get a gift one day from Marshalls Kenya.
404 cars were easy to place whilst parking due to excellent visibility and the top of the front mudguards/fenders and the rear fins delineated the ends of the vehicles,visible from the driver’s seat.404s had a small turning circle making them an easy car to manoeuvre in tight spaces.Both 404 utes I owned were in a colour Sage Grey,a very light green,also used on 504 Peugeots.The 404 featured here is in a colour named Avocado which was also used on 504s from the mid 1970s.404s were also assembled in Australia, the last ones were 1970 models with power front disc brakes.The utes had drum brakes which had the largest swept area of any drum braked car sold in Australia,very good brakes.There is one 404GL I have seen in Australia.Amazing to think the 404 first appeared in 1960.
I saw a dark green ute quite a lot when I was living in Adelaide only a few years ago. Given how much I saw it, it must have been a daily driver.
I am 67 yrs of age and is desparately looking for a 404 GL.Used tp own one 1975- 1978.I need to own one again ,before I am to old to enjoy it
I am desperately looking for the chrome rim that fits around the right head light, Have looked in most scrap yards and most Peugeot dealerships but to no avail. anybody know where I could could get my hands on one. Otherwise car is in tip top shape and looking sell afterwards. Pics attached.
Dear Joe
Please email me dcbotha@adept.co.za perhaps we can help you from South Africa! Otherwise we have contacts in EU.
Dawid Botha
I would like to ask if any one can tell me? If a 504 engine will bolt on to a 404 transmission
Hi Terry, the 404 and 504 transmission /engine is exactly the same. Only the tail housing of the transmissions are different but the front portion should bolt on effortlessly
Bonjour Monsieur .
Je suis M. Miloud Algérie
Réhabilitation des voitures anciennes
Recherchez la couleur Peugeot 404
Cette couleur
Hello
I am Mr. lazoir from Algeria ..
Vendor old cars ..
No. I want you car color light green
Color code
Hi Lazoir I will get the colour code for you very soon
tnank you Edmund ….I am waiting
Hello where can I get the 1800 cc 404 to buy?
Ha! Here in 70’s South Africa that shade of green was so popular with a number of manufacturers. It was like ‘Avocado Green is the new Beige’, which was another hugely popular colour. These were both great colours for combating the heat of our blazing sun and dusty conditions, they never really looked dirty and kept the car cool. These days 404’s are almost never seen as daily drivers here, the survivors are kept by keen enthusiasts and brought out for special outings.
It was interesting to see that Peugeot SA didn’t take the opportunity to make the most of the change, if they’re modifying the fender dies that counts as a major facelift so why not make it look as different as possible from the older ones?
The goal of the slight fender modification was to save money from importing headlights from France and instead fit locally available ones therefore a total fender modification would have been both costly and unnecessary, it might have also cost them sales because the 404 would have suddenly looked too different. When the fender dies you can fit any 404 fender(pre modification or later modified ones) without any issues, the car’s structural design was not tampered with.
As someone mentioned here before, it does share a lot of style with the Trabant, which was a much better looking car than it needed to be.
Never knew about these South African saloons’ idiosyncrasies. Fascinating stuff. Now I really want to see the Argentinian version!! Surely someone reads CC over there and can snap up a local 404. Oh, and a late 90s facelifted 504 too, if at all possible.
Btw, the 504 L (1973-82), which had the 404’s engine, had the same rear axle as in the 504 Break. It wad, however, suspended with two coil springs, not the Break’s quad spring setup. Like the Break and pickup, the 504 L kept the shifter on the column, too, while most IRS 504 saloons switched their fours to the floor in 1972.
Hello Tatra87 Thanks for your smart post , it seems you do know more Peugeot’s facts than average readers . For instance i’m from Argentina and i currently read Curbside Classic for sure , but i missed this editorial about The Ultimate Peugeot 404 1978 . Unless my memoirs are lost , the Peugeots 404 sedan and Pickup were produced in Buenos Aires’ outskirts until year 1980 . And yes the 504 model had its fifth Edition until 1991 or 1992 , moreover dramatically rearlifted than facelift’s . Plenty of both 404 & 504 are still running in mint condition . Excuse me if i can’t fill your enquire with amateur snaps because i’m wholy busy at work . Anyhow you can appreciate hundreds of ’em at the domestic gallery site Mercado Libre point com Argentina ( plus Chile plus Uruguay where domestic Argie Peugeots were largely exported as well ) . With true compliments
Hi
I am looking for a 404 to buy in South Africa
There has been a recent 2023 film released called “Chile 1976” that deals with a upper-class housewife in Pinochet-era Chile slowly coming to terms with the horrors of the regime. There is a prominent featuring of a Peugeot 404 as the main character’s car, as a period detail.
How predominant were these cars in Chile at that time in the mid-to-late 70’s, and what significance, if any, did the dominant presence of the car in the film mean in terms of it’s factories and sales operations functioning under the auspices of a notoriously evil and politically authoritarian and genocidal regime?
(The film, as an aside, is quite powerful and brilliantly made.)