Highlights
- A very rare 504 Automatic with one owner from new and with under 65,000 miles recorded
- A recent South African import benefitting from a lifetime a dry and benign climate
- Benefitting from service history and a recent, high-quality respray
The Appeal
Almost from launch, in 1968, the Peugeot 504 became synonymous with rugged reliability and stylish utility. Peugeot’s then flagship model, the 504 was solidly constructed with long travel suspension and a range of robust engines. Ultimately built in various parts of the world, the 504 became especially famed for its longevity in Africa, often being referred to as “the king of the African road.”
This South African built example was bought in 1978 by a Mrs Smith and remained in her ownership until a few months ago when its journey to the UK began. During that time the car covered only around 65,000 miles and was well maintained and cared for.
The History and Paperwork
- This 504 was constructed in 1978 in Natalspruit, near Johannesburg
- Bought new that year by Mrs Smith
- The car remained in her ownership until 2022
- During that time the car covered an average of less than 1,500 miles a year
- Just prior to its import to the UK the car was professionally resprayed in its original colour
- The car also underwent some light mechanical recommissioning at that stage
- The paperwork archive is diverse and interesting
- There are numerous documents detailing the import process to the UK
- The original manual and service book are on hand
- The service book exhibits a total of seven stamps from across the car’s life
- A fascinating dealer directory is included
- Present is a newspaper article in Afrikaans referring to this car and its owner
- A UK Nova is present making for a smooth UK registration process
- This can be undertaken by the new owner to record them as the first UK keeper
- We expect the car to registered as a Historic Vehicle in the UK
- This status confers MOT and VED exemptions
The Interior
- The interior of the 504 is entirely original in appearance
- Quite utilitarian and spartan by today’s standards but eminently durable as a consequence
- The comfortable seats are finished in tan, perforated vinyl
- The driver’s seat bolster exhibits a split and wear to the beading
- The other seats are in excellent condition with the rear bench especially pristine
- The door cards are in fine fettle and finished in pleated tan vinyl with accents of black
- The original door furniture is present with only the driver’s door handle showing any damage
- The floors are finished in highly durable fitted rubber matting
- The passenger footwell mat is partially missing but all others are present and correct
- The cream headlining is tightly fitted and in excellent, unmarked condition
- The dashboard is finished in black and is scattered with a few switches and buttons
- The oblong instrument binnacle houses the speedometer and other main gauges
- The boot is finished with its original mat and houses the original jack and tools
- The spare wheel is currently here but the under-car spare cage is present if preferred
Those unfamiliar with Peugeots of this era may be surprised by the utilitarian nature of the 504’s interior, especially considering this was the French firm’s flagship model of the time. Herein lies the charm of the 504. The vinyl upholstery, spartan dash and rubber floor coverings made this the ideal car for more rugged and remote areas and, of course, the farmyards of many French agricultural establishments of the time.
Simplicity and longevity were Peugeots watchwords of the time and the 504 delivers those in spades. It’s entirely original in here and really in very fine shape other than the odd tear and breakage that is to be expected of any 44-year-old car.
The Exterior
- The exterior of the 504 is finished in Antelope Beige
- Due to a number of age-related scuffs and scratches the car was professionally resprayed earlier this year
- As a result, the bodywork and paintwork presents in excellent condition throughout
- Clearly benefitting from a life in South Africa even the underside appears to be very sound
- The panel gaps are tight and true, and panels close with a very positive and solid action
- The cabin glass appears original and is in very good order
- The only mark is a small chip (pictured) in the windscreen
- The front light lenses are clear and undamaged
- The nearside rear light lens is cracked but appears to be watertight
- The chrome of the bumpers and wheel trims is bright and shiny
- There is a small crease to the rear bumper and the nearside rear wheel trim is missing
Despite its utility focussed demeanour, Peugeot were no less serious about the design of the 504 than with all their cars. Pininfarina were engaged to design the car and, as a consequence, the car exhibits some sophisticated styling cues.
This is a really great looking example. The non-metallic Antelope Beige is very of its period and has been really professionally applied. Given the rarity of the 504 in the UK today this surely has to be one of the best presented examples to appear here for many a year.
The Mechanics
- This 504 is fitted with the 1,971cc inline four-cylinder XN petrol engine
- This carburettor fed unit was originally rated at 92bhp
- In this car the power is fed to the rear wheels via a ZF three speed automatic gearbox
- This represents a very rare configuration in the UK
- The XN engine is a very durable unit and this one has been well maintained
- There is a consistent record of maintenance for this car throughout its life
- Just before import this car underwent a thorough mechanical recommissioning
- This work included a full, main service, new brake pads, two new tyres and wheel alignment
- The low, incremental mileage, durable nature and regular maintenance has resulted in a mechanically sound example
- During our visit the car started, idled, ran, and stopped impeccably
Another secret of the durability of the 504 is its unusual torque tube driveline. This consists of a robust driveshaft enclosed in a rigid torque tube relieving drive train torque reactions and, thus, reducing shock related mechanical stress in rougher conditions. This allied to the long-travel suspension helped deliver the car’s fearsome reliability.
This example drives really well and certainly belies its age in terms of refinement and civility. Given that a number of examples exist worldwide that have covered in excess of 1M kilometres, this example could possibly be considered to have the bulk of its life still ahead of it.
Summary
In our view there are three key assets that make this fascinating car stand out – condition, provenance, and rarity. Our extensive photographic package will give you the opportunity to assess the amazing condition for yourself. Except for the odd very minor blemish this car is in really stand-out condition.
The one-owner history of this car boggles the mind. In today’s throw-away society it is heartening to find a car that has been owned and cherished by just one owner for 44 years. If your Afrikaans is up to scratch the included newspaper article may illuminate this life-long relationship still further.
Today in the UK the 504 is a rare car in any guise and condition. If the notoriously sketchy publicly available DVLA numbers are even close to accurate, then the number of 504L’s registered in the UK today could possibly be counted on the fingers of both hands. Add in the much rarer automatic transmission and that number likely dwindles still further. How often to you get to own such a rare car at such a modest price point? Don’t miss this “once-in-a-blue-moon” opportunity.
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