To celebrate 205 40th anniversary, Peugeot is showcasing six of its fabulous ‘4 series’ models at the 2023 Retromobile exhibition in Paris, from the PEUGEOT 401 to the New PEUGEOT 408.

In addition we’ve included shots of other Peugeot sports models that helped cement a reputation of good handling and fabulous looks. While its true that in both styling and quality, several models over the last few decades have let the brand down, the French car maker innovated in ways the industry may not be aware of.

As a special treat, a rare special edition of the PEUGEOT 205 GTI, typifies the spirit of a car that helped kick off the hot hatch craze through the 80’s that persists to the current day.

In 2022, PEUGEOT unveiled the New PEUGEOT 408 (not available in Australia). The ‘4 series’ line of models’ features the 408 with its fastback silhouette that has become favoured in current car design. Both passenger cars and SUVs have found a niche not previously favoured by buyers.

Peugeot claims the 408 is unique in the current car market and is at the top of the C-segment. Some may agree with this claim, and other will disagree. Nonetheless, Retromobile, will display 6 PEUGEOT models from the PEUGEOT ‘4 series’ history, as well as the New PEUGEOT 408.

Innovation started with the first of the ‘4 series’, the PEUGEOT 401 saloon (1934-1935). It had  independent front wheels which was a stunning feature at the time. The PEUGEOT 401 Eclipse (1935) raised the bar by being the first ever production coupé-cabriolet. Although metal folding roofs have been seen in many forms recently, technology at the time meant that the roof was a one-piece affair that folded into the boot.

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ABOVE: Peugeot 4 Series models, and the 504 Cabriolet

The PEUGEOT 402 (1938-1942) concealed the headlights behind the grille for a deco-esque streamline look. Improved aerodynamics was something unfamiliar to the motor industry but has since become the nrom.

Inspector Columbo made the PEUGEOT 403 Cabriolet (1956-1961) famous. Like the man, the car was slightly shabby, with an air of understated elegance and intelligence. It was only one of the many body styles of the 403 which included: saloon, estate, van and pick-up. This was a big commercial success, something not all Peugeot models have enjoyed.

The design of the Pininfarina-designed PEUGEOT 404 Coupé (1962-1968) was when the collaboration with PEUGEOT was at its height.

The PEUGEOT 405 Mi16 Le Mans (1993) is a special edition of the legendary 405 Mi16 built to celebrate PEUGEOT’s victory in the 1993 Le Mans 24-Hour race. It uses the 2-litre 16-valve 160bhp engine from the ‘normal’ Mi16 and features leather/Alcantara upholstery and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Other models: The High Highs and Low Lows

Although not 4 series models, we wanted to mention the Pininfarina 504 cabriolet and coupé, which for us was the height of subtle elegance. The 206 CC brought back the hard top folding metal roof, this time hinging so as to take up less space in the boot.

Then, it all went wrong with the awful 407, 307, and 207. Awful styling, cheap plastics, and dodgy build quality, brought the brand to its knees in Australia. It has never recovered. The 307cc, another folding metal roof model, was not enough to pull the range out of the nose dive.

The current range is stunning, filled with tech, and is branching into the world of electrification.

PEUGEOT 205 celebrates its 40th anniversary in brief
Throughout 2023, L’Aventure PEUGEOT will be organising a series of celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the PEUGEOT 205, which was commercially launched on 24th February 1983. The festivities will begin at Retromobile with the exhibition of a rare 205 GTi Griffe from 1991, a special edition equipped with a 1.9-litre, 130hp engine.

The Retromobile 2023 exhibition will take place from Wednesday 1st to Sunday 5th February at the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles in Paris, France, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (with late nights until 10:00 pm on 1st and 3rd February). L’Aventure PEUGEOT is located in Hall 1, Stand F035.

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