More than 60 years have passed since Peugeot, the French lion, began its commercial success story by introducing a convertible version of an Italian model.
We are discussing the Peugeot 403 Pininfarina Cabriolet, considered the first convertible car ever produced.
And it was as if a King of France had shown up dressed in clothes from Milan. The convertible version of the 404knew how to get people excited at the beginning of 1961, and it wasn’t just the French public either.
Even the car-crazy Italians and the rest of Europe couldn’t contain their excitement over this vehicle.
A motorized branded suit that is combined with a mass production technology that is appropriate for day-to-day life. In a nutshell, a fantasy driven by four wheels.
The Peugeot Pininfarina is out of reach for most people due to its high price.
It offered the Peugeot Pininfarina 404 convertible everything that could represent a resounding success from an aesthetic point of view. This was a significant selling point for the car.
It not only had a flawless appearance but also managed to win over the skeptical public of the 1960s.
The technology in the vehicle was derived from earlier models of Peugeot automobiles that were already being manufactured on a large scale with great success.
Because every potential technical flaw had been fixed, we can confidently say this technology was completely robust.
The equivalent of clothing that would appeal to fans of Haute Couture but constructed similarly to jeans to withstand extreme stresses.
The only downside was the price, which was already quite steep at the time. Other than that, it was a perfect automobile.
As a result, the Peugeot Pininfarina was deemed “too expensive for the people,” while the genuinely wealthy yearned for a Maserati, Ferrari, or Lamborghini.
Therefore, the Pininfarina was more like the second car for the woman of the house and short trips around Monte Carlo. This was because the Pininfarina was a convertible.
The Peugeot Pininfarina lifestyle, popular in the 1960s and 1970s, is still available today.
The automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s have their unique class, appearance, and sense of style. Particularly the French lion.
This is precisely why it has such a large following in a world that is becoming more standardized. According to industry professionals’ opinions, investing in these long-forgotten treasures of the economic miracle is also profitable.
Despite the enormous shifts in the automobile industry, technical games remain the most popular, and individualism is rising.
And with good reason, considering the ease with which one can express their uniqueness through the customization of modern automobiles.
Because of the large-scale nature of the production, there will always be a ready supply of replacement components available; consequently, even relatively minor damage and the natural aging process won’t be a cause for concern.
The history of the Peugeot Pininfarina in the United States is brief but eventful.
Even though it was only available for one season, the Peugeot Pininfarina 404 convertible was a commercial success in the United States. However, this was not the case in Europe.
This factor ultimately determined the repositioning of the French brand. Does this mean that no really nice vehicles will be produced? No, of course not, given that the French were excessively confident in their structure.
Because of this reason, such a dream on wheels required some minor adjustments. The 204 and its successor, the 304 in a convertible model, which in the 1970s in Germany bore the pejorative nickname “bread on wheels” because of its square shape, was for compact car lovers with a rather spartan budget. In contrast, the tuned 404 and the Peugeot 504 Pininfarina were intended for a more affluent audience.
In the 1970s in Germany, The door that led to the optimal strategy for increasing sales finally opened. A Peugeot for those who enjoy the sun and have any budget.
The design of the Peugeot Pininfarina is a fusion of the aesthetics of the Rolls Royce Phantom and the Fiat 500.
But what exactly is it that gives these automobiles their magnetic allure? The first generation of this car, the Peugeot 404, was conceived as a two-seater automobile that could accommodate two additional passengers.
Therefore, the rear design had a look reminiscent of the English charm of a Rolls Royce while still maintaining the contemporary aesthetic of Fiat designs from the era.
The timeless and refined characteristics of the island meshed seamlessly with the carefree spirit of the “young rebels” of Bella Italia. Not only as a location for vacations, but Italy was extremely popular during that time.
The only issue that arose was the cost. The sum, which had to be requested for the business to remain economically viable, was comparable to that of a Mercedes.
