"For UK-based buyers, a highly competitive fixed-rate shipping quote has been secured for: £1,650 via Freight Factory for all cars sold by this seller on auction"
Highlights
- Only 61,000 km from new
- Single farm ownership from new until recent rediscovery
- Sympathetically recommissioned by Peugeot specialist Jean-Baptiste Du Bois
- Original factory Peugeot Pastoral Beige paintwork with gentle patina
- Completely rot-free and never welded South African survivor
- Practical pick up with very well kept tan interior
The Appeal
In the 1960s and 70s, when it came to robust pick ups, few manufacturers could rival Peugeots 404. Well built, reliable and utterly durable, these commercial travellers reached every corner of the globe.
Most have been driven into oblivion, but not this one. Before the current collector acquired it recently, It spent its life on the same Rustenburg vineyard amassing just 61,000 km. It was laid up prior to the vendor buying it, so he commissioned Peugeot guru Jean-Baptiste Du Bois to bring it back to life.
This work prioritised originality and reliability over restoration. It was a wise choice because it delivers a lovely, well-preserved truck that retains its gentle patina of age.
The vendor is selling it reluctantly. He tells us that it runs and drives very well. Whether you run a commercial classic car business or just love working vehicles, this looks tempting.
The vendor says:
Now, revived and ready, it is as close to new as you will ever find—a genuine relic of a different time.
“This is a truck that wafts through winding country lanes, barely breaking a sweat as it effortlessly lopes past hedgerows and dry-stone walls, its supple suspension soaking up the road.
“Or picture it bustling through an Australian farmer’s market, its perfect patina only adding to the romance, its sturdy load bed freshly packed with produce, while onlookers marvel at its presence.
“It is both practical and poetic, a vehicle that belongs in motion, yet is almost too precious to use.
“Unlike the battered, welded, and repainted examples that have been driven into the ground, this one has been carefully recommissioned to ensure it runs and drives exactly as it should—without disturbing its originality.
“This delicate work was entrusted to the late Peugeot master, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Du Bois, a name synonymous with Peugeot expertise and preservation. His skilled hands ensured that this 404 remains mechanically perfect yet untouched in its essence, a fitting tribute to the legend of these pickups.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1973
- Single keeper on a farm in South Africa's Rustenburg district until recently
- Meticulously maintained by its original owner throughout his lifetime
- Stored untouched in a barn for decades after the owner's passing
- Recently discovered and sympathetically recommissioned rather than restored
- Part of private collection and for sale due to political circumstances in South Africa
The vendor says:
“This 1973 Peugeot 404 Pickup 1600 Deluxe spent its entire life on a single farm in the Rustenburg district, a trusted workhorse in a land that demanded resilience. Its owner loved this pickup beyond reason—meticulously maintaining it, treating it with a level of care most reserve for prized possessions.
“When he passed away, his widow couldn’t bring herself to touch it. She knew how much it meant to him, how fiercely protective he had been of it in life. And so, it sat—untouched, undisturbed, and completely preserved for decades in a barn.
“By the time it was rediscovered, the dust-covered pickup had become a haven for wasps, its crevices packed with nests—a genuine hazard just to approach.
“Now, revived and ready, it is as close to new as you will ever find—a genuine relic of a different time.”
The Condition
- Original factory Peugeot Pastoral Beige paintwork with gentle patina of use as shown
- Vendor describes the bodywork as ‘completely rot-free’
- We are told it has never required welding, benefiting from South Africa's dry climate
- Original tan vinyl interior appears in well-preserved condition
- Tan bench seat with matching door cards
- Factory seats, dashboard and switchgear all intact and functioning as intended
- Load bed appears straight and clean, showing minimal signs of heavy use
- Rubber floor mats and aluminium-effect dashboard trim
- Original chrome trim and Deluxe specification details remain intact and unbroken
- Cabin free from modifications or alterations, presenting as it left the factory
- Fitted with steel wheels ahd chrome bumpers
- Underside appears to in good order with no issues advised by seller
The vendor says:
“Unlike the battered, welded, and repainted examples that have been driven into the ground, this one has been carefully recommissioned to ensure it runs and drives exactly as it should—without disturbing its originality.
“This delicate work was entrusted to the late Peugeot master, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Du Bois, a name synonymous with Peugeot expertise and preservation. His skilled hands ensured that this 404 remains mechanically perfect yet untouched in its essence, a fitting tribute to the legend of these pickups.”
The Mechanics
- 1.6L Indenor four-cylinder engine
- Column-shift manual transmission
- Engine recently recommissioned by marque specialist as above
- Original engine, gearbox and running gear
- Comfortable suspension system appears to be in good working order,
- Mechanicals sympathetically recommissioned rather than replaced
- The vehicle is reported to run and drive as intended
The vendor says:
“Under the bonnet sits Peugeot’s legendary 1. 6L Indenor four-cylinder engine, a powerplant celebrated for its simplicity, durability, and effortless torque.
“Mated to the robust column-shift manual gearbox, this 404 glides through the gears with mechanical precision, delivering the kind of driving experience that modern pickups simply cannot replicate.
“The Peugeot 404 Pickup was a staple of farms, businesses, and small-town roads across the country—a vehicle that simply got the job done, year after year.
“To find a genuine, unrestored, ultra-low-mileage survivor like this—rot-free and never welded—is near impossible.”
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
