***Vendor supplied images***

Highlights

Early Cabriolet with rare non-S specification
Retains the desirable pre-facelift details
Sought-after French drop top with impeccable ride and handling
Pretty Pininfarina styling
Presentable and usable example with scope to lightly improve

The Appeal

In the late 1960s Peugeot was on a roll, busily building durable saloons with crisp Pininfarina styling. The 304 cleverly blended the architecture of the 204 with frontal treatment from its big brother 504 and a peppy 1.3litre SOHC engine.

The Cabriolet spun out the appeal of this popular car, offering buyers an accessibly priced two seater convertible that delivered surprisingly good ride and handling dynamics. Produced from March 1970 to July 1975, most built were the marginally more powerful ‘S’ model.

That makes this early, pre-facelift, standard car particularly rare and compelling. It retains the quirky features - like the strip speedo - that make the first 304 Cabriolets so endearing. In solid, usable and presentable condition, it offers scope to lightly improve. But if we were the lucky buyers, the first thing we’d want to do is get out and enjoy the last of the year’s sunny weather in this characterful car.

The History and Paperwork

We are told that this is a 1971 car and the chassis records and specification support that
As such it appears to be a non-S model with the 65bhp version of the 1.3litre engine
Unfortuanately at the time of writing we do not have any service or maintenance records for this car
The 304 was designed by Pininfarina and based on the 204
It was intended as a larger, more upmarket model
The Cabriolet was launched in March 1970
The model was facelifted in 1972 with the launch of the 75bhp S model
The 304 was noted for its particularly good ride and handling,
It is known for being agile yet smooth over rough surfaces

The Interior

Original interior displaying the neat detailing familiar to owners of the pre-facelift cars
Black vinyl seats appear to be original and are in fair condition with good cushioning
The driver’s seat shows a small crack in the vinyl base
Strip speedo typical of early cars
Delicately styled fillet of wood-effect veneer stretched across the dashboard
This is in good condition and a key part of the appeal of this car’s interior
The limited switchgear presents well being original and showing light wear
Speedo and protective perspex shroud are clear and presentable
Period correct radio fitted but with right hand knob apparently broken
Mix of carpets and rubber overmats, both in original unrestored condition
Door trims well kept with original fittings appearing unbroken and lightly patinated
Original two spoke black-rimmed steering wheel in lightly aged condition
Black tonneau cover for roof
Boot area is presentable but with some wear to trim

The Exterior

Presentable burgundy metallic paintwork appears to be an older restoration
Straight panels mostly free of damage and marks
Close inspection reveals various scratches and localised marks
The nature of these means they do not detract from the sense of a usable classic
Bodywork appears to be generally solid
There is a small area of corrosion on the base of the rear driver’s side wing
Poor paintwork and older repair of passenger side rear wing at the base
Bue paint is visible on some of the wheel arch lips, perhaps indicating a respray
Steel wheels and chrome hubcaps complete and presentable
Some light tarnishing visible to the rims
Black stone guard underseal visible on arches indicating owner’s care
Boot lid shows microblistering and small area of damage on rear lip
Floors appear to be solid and with possible evidence of recent rectification work
Lights appear to be original and colours have faded only slightly
Hood appears to be in good condition with good fit
The window panel is clear and undamaged

The Mechanics

1,288cc SOHC 65bhp 4cl Peugeot engine
4spd manual gearbox
Unfortunately we do not have visibility of the service records at the time of writing

Summary

The 304 Cabriolet is that most French of classics, a handsomely styled and understated drop top that rides and handles as few rivals could. Most built were the marginally more powerful S model with facelifted trim. That makes early cars with their delicate interior styling rare and sought after.

This is one of those cars. It looks solid and very usable but with scope to improve as you use. With its superb ride and handling it is sure to be a rewarding buy.

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