Peugeot 604 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1975. Peugeot, like many colleagues, wanted to enjoy the top segment, where the cake had been divided between BMW and Mercedes-Benz for many years. Peugeot presented the limousine as “The most elegant French top model” and spoke of “A successful blend of classicism and refinement”. Roaring marketing language is of all times. The Peugeot 604 therefore had to symbolize a certain quality of life, a slightly nationalistic 'joie de vivre'.
Peugeot had already made six-cylinder engines
But the 604 was the first 6-cylinder Peugeot since the 601 of 1934-1935. As mentioned, the car was aimed at that prestigious part of the market in which the large models from Mercedes and BMW played a leading role at the time. At launch, the 604 had a 136 hp, light-alloy, 2.664 cc V6 petrol engine with single or twin carburettor. The car had rear-wheel drive, plus every conceivable luxury, entirely in line with the toppers of the time. With these characteristics, the latest Peugeot had to earn its place in the premier league.
The Peugeot 604 was not a success story
The luxury five-person 604 was not the success that Peugeot had hoped for. The press knows this, among other things, from the inconspicuous styling (which was partly taken over from the 504 from a cost perspective), the lack of technical innovation, the mediocre performance and the above-average rust sensitivity.
In addition, the moment of introduction - after the recession after the 1973 oil crisis - was also unfortunate. The market for high-volume cars had collapsed globally at the time. Because even for a thirsty people like the French themselves, the consumption of the cars was too high. We recently spoke to a 604 owner who was happy to say that with his two carburettors and an automatic limousine he managed to drive… 1 in 3. But that was due to improper use.
Yet historically important
What made the 604 skewed in history was that in 1979 the 604 did earn in as one of the first production cars to be equipped with a turbo diesel engine. Mercedes came to the Frankfurt stock exchange in 1977 or with the first turbo diesel engine in the Mercedes 300SD, but it was sold exclusively in the USA.
After the introduction of the 505 in 1980, sales figures continued to fall and the last 1985 rolled off the line in 604. The 604 has undergone only a few minor changes during its production period from 1975 to 1986. The basic model was fully maintained. 153.252 items were sold in total.
The state of affairs
The purchase of a Peugeot 604 was always a thoughtful purchase. 'Thoughtful' is not necessarily the same as 'sensible'. The first owner received a hard lesson 'depreciation for advanced' after purchase. But that blow was usually accepted without any problems. The market value of the large Peugeot was quickly 'virtual'. Nobody wanted to have such a dripping and rusting battleship.
Meanwhile, there are enthusiasts who want to close the six-cylinder in their hearts. And you can still find cool ones. Consider the purchase of a very nice and good copy of amounts up to ten mille ... But then you have something for that!
What this model missed was a V8. Because it runs much nicer, gives much more prestige and is also more economical, because the power is released at much less speed, even without too large carburetors. Opel proved this, for example, with the successful Diplomat V8.
And that V8 was also the original plan at Peugeot, but due to the oil crisis, management took the awkward decision to turn it into a V6 at the last minute. Including the wrong block angle for a V6, due to the V8 basis of the design.
Práchtwagen, and its 'compartment brother' the 504 too!
And just like the beautiful FIAT 130 and the béld-clean coupé version of it, the greatest attempt by a 'farmer's brand' which tried in vain to absorb the Fat Deutsche order… ..
I will ws. always keep a soft spot for these kinds of cars because it has been there all my life….