In 1968 Peugeot showed the 504 to the world. It immediately became Car of the Year. The refreshing design was one of the decisive factors for the honorary title. The independent suspension and disc brakes all round also played an important role in the selection of this beautiful mid-sized car, which had a long European career. From 1968 to 1983 it was available on our continent as a Peugeot 504 Berline.
In the first years, the car was equipped with the 1796 cc engine of the Peugeot 404. The buyer could choose between conventional carburetion and mechanical injection from Kugelfischer. The injection models were called “Injection”. From 1971, a diesel engine with a capacity of 2112 cc was also available. In October 1970, the 1,8-litre engine of the Peugeot 504 Saloon was replaced by a two-litre engine with 69 kW (94 hp). From the outset, the petrol versions were available with a 3-speed automatic transmission from ZF.
Oil crisis brings saving version
In 1973 – also in response to the oil crisis – the 504 “L” appeared. The 1.8 liter engine made its comeback within the 504 series. Diesel drivers received an engine with a capacity of 1948cc in combination with the entry-level variant. He was then called “LD”. The economy model was also fitted with a rigid rear axle, which not only influenced the road holding of this 504. The contents of the trunk were also reduced. This version was also stripped of various chrome details and equipped with a simplified dashboard. The “L” got the old faithful control circuit.
The two-liter versions of the sedan were fitted with a floor lever in the same year. From model year 1974 they bore the equipment designations “GL” (carburetion engine) and “TI” (mechanical Kugelfischer injection). In these sedan versions, the shift lever on the steering column was already replaced by a floor lever in 1972. The diesel version of the GL was called “GLD”. The TI was never supplied in combination with a self-igniter.
'Second' series
In the mid-seventies, the so-called 'second series' of the Peugeot 504 Saloon was launched. The door handles were now recessed into the doors. The XN1 engine of the GL got a new cylinder head, a new intake manifold and a different carburettor. The modified 504 also received a slightly modified dashboard and a more modern designed steering wheel from its makers. In the second half of the 2304s, further adjustments were made, such as to the rear axle. Another change concerned the black plastic grille that formed the base for the new, openwork lion emblem. The GLD got a diesel engine enlarged to XNUMX cc in the front.
Austerity
In the last phase of the 504s, some austerity measures were implemented. For example, the 1979 GL got drum brakes at the rear. And in 504 the “L” lost its designation. From then on it was called – and in a modified form – '1971'. In the same year, the much acclaimed 504 cc engine was withdrawn from the Peugeot 505 Berline delivery program, as the Peugeot 505 made its appearance. However, the arrival of the 504 did not herald the European end of the XNUMX.
The last European years
The Peugeot 504 Saloon (and also the Break/Familiale) was adapted to the zeitgeist. Now the entire Berline line got the new dashboard, modified instruments and other seats. The type designations, which were mounted on the rear with plastic emblems, also showed. The last (European) equipment variants of the 504 were now called GR, SR, GRD and SRD. In terms of engine capacity, a austerity in choice was made on petrol and diesel. There was a choice of the 1796 cc petrol engine and the old 2112 cc diesel engine.
Until the end of 1983, the Peugeot 504 Saloon was kept in the program in this way by Peugeot. In its last European production year, the 504 sedan was only available in France. After this, he and his station brother finally cleared the field within our continent. It was the European farewell to a beautiful car in every way.
Saw a Bond film on RTL yesterday where a Citroen 2hp was chased by 2 black 504s
During the wild chase, the door handles of the 504s changed several times to recessed ones and then again with the door handles on top and vice versa.
Iconic automobile.
Disc brakes all round were still exclusive to 'normal' cars in the 60s (Renault 8 was one of the first affordable cars). Very nice, comfortable and reliable cars that 504. Pretty big even then, if you drive around with it now, you see how cars have grown.
In the 80s, the 504s were very popular in Africa. Various students then drove many copies to Ouagadougou (Timbuktu) and sold them there. The proceeds were still more than enough to cover the purchase, travel costs and a plane ticket.
Steering gear is indeed much nicer than it seems at first glance. I've never driven a 504, but I have Renault 16s that have it too; lovely cars too.
The steering gear is actually much nicer and more convenient compared to the floor lever. In the 504, the steering gear shifted very smoothly.
The 504 was produced at PAN (Peugeot Automobile Nigeria) until the early 21st century
At the beginning of the 21st century, all Government cars 504 & 505 were in Nigeria.
Many of the Familia are still on the road, especially in Nigeria and Senegal, for international passenger transport.
Correct, hence the description for the European market.
It's a pity that only the vending machines are left, (fortunately in Africa they don't understand that, otherwise all 504's would be gone). Such a switched TI was fast!
My third car was a Peugeot 504GL. Bought new in 1974 and exchanged with Hfls after 60.000 KM. 2.000,00 depreciation for my favorite brand which I could finally pay in 1976 and bought a new last W 114 200 petrol Mercedes. But had no complaints at all with the Peugeot and this was also a great spacious comfortable family car. Once in a while I see one and I always get a warm feeling about it.
The 504 gave Peugeot the nickname 'French Mercedes'. That was a compliment back then.
Peugeot is of course also a brand that comes from a part of France that did not always belong to France, the Alsace. Sochaux is not only culturally but also geographically much further from Paris (425 km) than from Boeblingen (300 km). Peugeot has therefore always been a bit more conservative than the other French brands, so much more Germanic.
One of the most beautiful Peugeots ever. And because of the lack of electronics also one of the best. What a nice ride that was.
What a beautiful car and sublime driving characteristics. That will always stay with you.
They are now very rarely seen in the streets after 3,7 million copies were produced.
The copies with the recessed door handles had more rust-sensitive steel compared to the copy in the photo (with door handles above).
My father bought 3 new in the 70s, but the last one from 1978 started to show rust blisters within a year. The technique and driving comfort were very good, a Mercedes 200 from that time was 3,5 x more expensive to purchase (and also rusted)
In Africa they were even built new until about 10 years ago.
You can't compare a V70 Swedish steel with this French tin from Peugeot, be honest right?
They were extremely strong, the 404 and 504 versions. Just look at the successes of the African rallies of yesteryear, the toughest on the WRC circuit and its predecessors. Moreover, these Peugeots were also cars from another era.
No indeed, what can you do with such an Ikea dog house if you can also move yourself in reliable comfort with Mediterranean luxury?!
Awesome car got one at my disposal on my 27th year from my employer McCain foods Holland drove 50 to 60 thousand km per year, only in the mountains the diesel was not to burn.
I would like to have one as an old timer, but no space for it.
Will get hot if I see one driving
My license plate was HP 42 JR
Super car, was often also a management car
and they could handle it, because from videos you can see that they are used as taxis in dark Africa
with an unimaginable number of passengers, and then over those mud pits
Was also a station version of, a box of a car to my memory
A club of a station! No other European brand can compete with that. Would like to put it in front of the door and give the keys to my V70 to the delivery person.
Yes indeed a fantastic car .. lovely seats, super soft comfort and very strong. The diesel smoked quite a bit after a cold start, but after very careful adjustment of the pump this was gone. It was our wedding car… on honeymoon to the south of France… the windows in the back were covered with newspaper :)!
Diesel station, not fast, but kept gaaaaaaannnnnnn.....
An employer had such a thing as a service car.
Everything has been behind it….
Had a blue GL automatic on a blue Monday myself…
With sills of Saturday telegraphs
I myself own a Peugeot 504 saloon 2.0l GL with steering gear bwj 1971 and the car drives fantastic. I have completely refurbished the car (sprayed and had the interior completely redone. It's a gem