The French Farina - Peugeot 404 (Aussie Assembled) PLAYBACK FIXED

Now I've fixed the error, you can enjoy me driving a 1969 Peugeot 404 around Tasmania. Naturally filmed before the virus was a thing. This 404 was assembled in Australia, at the Renault plant! Which explains the seatbelts...
Pininfarina styled the 404, which is why it looks like an Austin Cambridge, with a bit of Lancia Flaminia and Fiat 1300 thrown in for good measure. It has a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine and a four-speed column gearchange. Its rivals were the Renault 16 and Citroen DS back in France, three truly wonderful cars and so very different.
HubNut goodies can be purchased at hubnut.org where you'll also find support options. Or, support HubNut at / hubnut
Don't forget to like the video if you like it, and share with your friends if you really like it! Thank you all.
Vous pouvez m'amuser à conduire une Peugeot 404 de 1969 en Tasmanie.
Puedes disfrutar de mí conduciendo un Peugeot 404 de 1969 por Tasmania.

[@peterriggall620]

For those that might be interested this is a video of the 1964 Longford Motor race. Shows the 'Flying Mile' that Hubnut drove down and also where he went through roadworks was where 'Pit Straight' used to be. Runs for 22 min. Good car spotting video. My Mum and Dad took my sister, brother and me every year in our 1957 FE Holden....rather have gone in a 404...oh well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5W5qIamrapsp8k

[@oldgreyhead]

Great video. Thanks.

[@millomweb]

It was the embankment that Hubnut drove through 3 times that intrigued me - any ideas?

[@peterriggall620]

If you mean the car park that he started and finished at, that was Union St. Longford that leads down to the St. Esk River. Union St. also formed part of the original race track and it leads to the Hotel on the corner, now called the Chequered Flag. Union St. leads to a boat ramp on the river where the original old wooden bridge crossed the river as shown in the video.

[@peterriggall620]

@@millomweb Just worked it out after seeing another post with the same query. It is a flood levy with a gap in it for the road. In event of flood I think they have some means of blocking off the road/gap . River often floods at Longford.

[@millomweb]

@@peterriggall620 Longford no. 3 ! (not Vic or Ireland but TAS !) Now I've found the place, yes it's flood defences.

[@glennmckay5119]

"1.6L - To Australians, that's not even a sensible amount of milk." That is one of the greatest lines ever uttered in a car review. Absolute Gold Ian.

[@jaguar53100]

You could have said, that is one of the greatest lines ever 'uddered' as it was all about milk!

[@johnmiller4973]

@@jaguar53100 oye vey 😛

[@jfv65]

Some additional factoids on this lovely 404: - as you can see on the inner fenders the car has McPherson strut front suspension, quite modern for that era - the engine has an aluminium head, Again quite modern for that era. - the head design is a HEMI. (Yes, just like a Chrysler). Notice where the plug wires pass through the valve cover. - the shortblock is a cast iron wet sleeve design which makes overhaul easy. It has a forged steel 3 main bearing crankshaft. - notice there is no petrol tank access in either of the fenders. The filler cap is hidden behind the registration plate. - also, notice that strange hole in the centre of the front bumper? That is an access hole for hand cranking the engine. So ever when the battery is almost flat, of it still has enough power to run the ignition jou can still start the engine by hand cranking it!

[@dogwalker666]

jfv65 Chrysler Europe was swallowed up by Peugeot and my Chrysler’s all had those features and the viscous fan. big coincidence I wonder.

[@volvo480]

@@dogwalker666 Chrysler Europe was formed in 1970 after acquiring Simca (France) and Rootes (UK), this operation folded and was subsequently sold to PSA in 1978, many years after the 404 was developed. So those features could not have existed in the 404 just because Peugeot has bought Chrysler's European operations.

[@johnd8892]

Surprisingly lots of cars even in the pre Chrysler Hemi era had good head designs incorporating hemispherical combustion chambers. Chrysler had the brainwave of trade marking the name Hemi, thus preventing others from calling their engines with hemispherical combustion chambers a hemi. Makes many think Chrysler invented the hemi whereas they only invented the term hemi. Daimler SP 250 comes to mind.

[@dogwalker666]

@@johnd8892 as a kid I only thought of hemi as being a massive American engine then one day I realised it was the head shape which supprised me as my dads car at the time had that design I had helped him polish it was one of my first big jobs on his car. It now makes sense I would love to drive a big dodge hemi, I loved my rover V8 but that was only 3.5L

[@dogwalker666]

Robert Brink I know I was. Referring to the last generation avenger and the 1l sunbeam that are very similar I think they were copying the 404.

[@MrButtonpresser]

The 404 was a robust car, ideal for Australia. These were very popular and lasted years. Many went on to become an 18 year old's first drive.

[@jigrodrigues]

@@grievuspwn4g3 superior to Mercedes in some areas

[@jigrodrigues]

@@grievuspwn4g3 I'm talking mechanics not market segments.

[@godfreypoon5148]

I've been looking for one of these, but 404 Not Found

[@williamgreer4087]

I see what you did there

[@millomweb]

You only found 403 ?

[@scaleop4]

hahaa

[@millomweb]

What nonsense is@@scaleop4 as a name ?

[@scaleop4]

@@millomweb what does it matter

[@waltertaljaard1488]

One of the best French cars ever. In the Netherlands they were called ''French Mercedes'' And indeed they had the same excellent ride and build quality as a mid range Merc at that time. The DS was a masterpiece of design and engineering, but required a lot of expensive maintenance at specialized garages/dealers. The Renault 16 was a well thought through concept and just as good to drive, but had an unfortunate tendency to rust at vital body parts.

[@polvandennieuwenhof9137]

The dutch 404's also came with a sunroof as Standard.

[@gunnarkvinlaug7226]

I tough the 504 was called Frensh Mercedes?

[@thomasheitmann1804]

403 , 404 , 504 the best Peugeot Qualty.

[@kw9849]

One of the only French cars that never got a bad reputation here in North America! It seems the whole world loved these, and rightly so.

[@julienbee3467]

It was sold in the US ?

[@HubNut]

Yes, 404s were fairly popular by French standards.

[@marklaidlay6842]

Finally driving the best family car of the 1960s. My first drive was a loaded up car over very C grade roads and I was used to metric speedos. I was wondering why it was battling to hold 80 on the speedo. Then the owner told me it was an imperial speedo.

[@robinforrest7680]

Opposite experience for me in 1972 when we went to Portugal. I was 8 and was most impressed when I saw over the taxi driver's shoulder that we were doing over 100mph on the way to our holiday let from the airport! It was km/h of course 🙄. Dad hired a Morris Marina coupe for the time we were there. He had to park it with the petrol filler jammed against the wall 'cos the local kids would siphon the petrol for their mopeds 😁

[@prieten49]

Our family doctor had a Peugeot 404, probably the only one in Oklahoma. I carpooled with him to my school in the suburbs. He had an interesting way of changing gears. He barely got moving in first before switching to second, accelerated for a while in second and then changed straight into fourth gear. The engine groaned slightly in fourth but then got back to normal very quickly. His car was a rather ugly dark brown color but I suppose that hid the rust very well. He must have had that car for over twenty years. He was a really great man, even volunteering to tend to prisoners in the local jail. On one of those visits, he felt kind of funny. He couldn't talk properly and his right arm started to go numb. Instead of going immediately to the hospital, he finished his volunteer work. By the time he drove to the hospital, his entire side was quite numb. He had suffered a stroke and never properly recovered. He was such an excellent doctor to everyone but apparently not to himself. I think he had to get rid of the Peugeot because he couldn't switch the gears on the column anymore.

[@steved3702]

One of my uncles had a 504 and later a 505, covering a period when he had a farm in central Victoria through to retirement in Melbourne. The reputation they received from the Redex Trial success certainly carried them through that era, not without justification.

[@daniellee9015]

What a blooming beautiful car I love that wish all cars still had caracter like that brilliant video Ian

[@johnmatthews318]

Peugeots were (are?) also assembled and sold in South Africa. While living there, my mother bought a brand new 404 in 1972 and in 1978 I took my driving test in it. This video brings back lots of memories!

[@edmundsishange3608]

They were also produced for 3 more years in South Africa

[@cornishhh]

This gets a like before I even watch it. I've owned three and they're one of my favourite cars ever. I never used the handbrake but if you do it's easier to release it with your foot. Upward gearchanges on all mine could be carried out with an outstretched finger. Ride, seats, and handling IMO are better than many far more modern cars.

[@alanriley9754]

Drove one about twenty five years ago. A memorable outing. The seats were very comfortable. Good suspension. 🐸

[@yanndenis5628]

Nice car and what a beautiful colour ! I'm french, and when I was a kid, my grand dad, who was a farmer in the south west of France, had a one of these, a Peugeot 404 "super luxe". It was in the 70's and early 80's. His car was grey metallic with leather interior. As my grand dad was deaf, he revved his car constantly, so it was not a quiet drive, on the contrary, rather rough, and yes, this car was robust, a classic Peugeot as we no longer do.

[@H4lminator]

It is such a shame that French cars are utterly rubbish. Because only the French cars have some character left. All the brands in the world are copying the boring VAG cars and their horrendous park bench seats.

[@jblue2435]

@@H4lminator I don't believe that current French cars are utterly rubbish. Peugeot have made vast improvements and have some very good cars - they just haven't look a bit German to sell. The general public just seem to think that German cars are reliable, quality vehicles. Now that is utterly rubbish!

[@PeterMarquisKyle]

That colour, available on the 404s that were assembled in Australia, was called "Bathurst blue". I used to have a 1970 404 in that colour.

[@thomasharter8161]

@@H4lminator French cars are of good quality. In Canada we buy a lot of Japanese cars because they are reliable. They have a better reputation than Wolkswagen and for the rest of German cars they are unreliable at all because they are too sophisticated.

[@allanbriggs807]

From my memory (and I'll stand corrected) but this is not a standard Australian assembled Peugeot colour. I'm trying to think of the 1969 colours - White (of course) Sunburst (a burnt orangey colour) I think there was a green. Someone may have a better memory than me.

[@huwdavies6650]

Peugeot engineers showing how it should be done. The 404 is also a record holder. A single seat diesel prototype in 1965 took part in a 72 hour endurance run using for drivers and averaging 99 mph without issue. In the process it set 22 world records. A month later Peugeot took it out again and it set another 18 records. This was all done to prove that Peugeot diesel engines were better than German diesel engines.

[@rontuohy8902]

Having lived in Central Africa and worked in the motor trade in the 1970s, I am very familiar with the 404 and indeed the 403 which had an incredibly good reputation locally for robustness and reliability. As it has to be said did the Holdens which we imported. It was great to see this road test and remember all the good things about the 404.

[@ic08jy700]

These were ubiquitous in diesel form in Majorca as taxis in the early 70s and were bombproof reliable too. I also remember one of these as a taxi in the UK, which had another side door and a bench row of three extra passengers. I'm sure I'm not dreaming this. It was truly the first people carrier that wasn't a van. They were truly great motors of their age. In fact, I think I like them over the Peugeots of today!!

[@volvo480]

404 Found! 😂 A family down the road have a 404 Break Familiale, always brightens up my day when they pass my house in the 404.

[@julienbee3467]

Are you in England ?

[@volvo480]

@@julienbee3467 Netherlands

[@saxon-mt5by]

I rather think Ian liked the Peugeot!

[@franksmith3786]

I think you may be right

[@davebicker8618]

Could something similar be on it's way to the HubNut garage soon...? We shall see.

[@will89687]

Peugeots aren't as sexy as Citroens but they sneak up on you and steal your heart. And your wallet.

[@will89687]

@@davebicker8618 Either Ian or Mat - did you see his 505 estate review? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKfcYqRqf7ySi7M

[@robinforrest7680]

@@davebicker8618 He'll need to be either a bit flush with cash or have a sympathetic bank manager. They're more pricey than I imagined even here in France

[@carlg9665]

The memories come flooding back of my 1968 404 assembled at Thames , New Zealand. I remember been shown how to place the palm of your hand on the front of the spongy gear knob to place in first and down to second ,then behind the knob to lift to third and down to fourth. The one car I always regretted selling.

[@allanbriggs807]

You were shown the correct method - commmonly called the "palm change".

[@carlg9665]

@@allanbriggs807 Thank you Allam

[@arnonmus1]

Hubnut you little ripper, these Aussie gems you review are fascinating! When lockdown ends take a trip to South Africa, you will find equally fascinating gems there, such as the 404GL, which had lovely interior trim and the larger 1.8l engine from the 504. I have a copy of a roadtest, please let me know if you'd like a copy.

[@Shane_Marsh]

These older cars are so more interesting than a modern car. Excellent choice ian and you put across how much you were enjoying it. Thanks for another superb HubNut experience.

[@geneva760]

I spotted a nice old 203 today - have not seen one for years. Have a nice day all. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@yagoceron]

The first car I've known in my family was a 404 Familiale, I loved it with its three row seating. It was replaced by the second Range Rover imported in France but I think I still prefered the Peugeot as a kid.

[@paulbennell3313]

You know, I was never very interested in these but this was a bit of an eye-opener. It seems a very easy car to live with and that engine sounds unusually smooth fot a 4 pot. Big squashy French seats too, what's not to love?

[@AUmarcus]

The French do know how to make a good seat....the 505 seat is the most comfortable I've ever sat in still to this day.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

@@AUmarcus The French car manufacturers certainly understood that first and foremost, people want comfort in a car. For a time, they were the only nation that built proper luxury cars. IE: comfortable ones. Unfortunately, Peugeot, Renault and Citroen have lost their way and just follow the bone shaker herd nowadays. Such a shame. I think we need to start a 'Bring Back Comfort' campaign.

[@G-ra-ha-m]

Peugeot know how to make engines and decent comfort, the 406 is still today better than many.

[@loser_one]

@@G-ra-ha-m Yes, but how many years ago was a 406?

[@paulkling2193]

Good to see you met some of our friends, the flies, while here in Australia. "The Aussie salute, also known as the Barcoo salute (after the Barcoo River) or Bush salute, is the waving of one's hand in front of the face at regular intervals in order to prevent bush flies from landing on it, or entering one's nose or mouth. Ecologist Eric Pianka characterizes it as a gesture that is "diagnostic of Australia".

[@kershalfernando8248]

Been looking forward to a walk around video of a 404 for so long.. such an under appreciated car glad to see people finally showing it some well deserved love ❤️

[@Vincent-bs5mf]

He's back! What a lovely car. I want one. Thank you for the re-upload.

[@spuriouspodge7416]

Want it. Lovely interior. Lovely sounding car. Thanks for sorting the video 🙂

[@MrTrundleon]

I've been waiting for this video for a very long time, ever since I discovered Mr Nut! I've wanted one of these since forever, they were kinda common in the SF Bay Area, I've not seen one since forever. Thank you, Ian!

[@stephenhadley2490]

I love a 4 speed column change. A thing of the past.

[@wolfieScog]

I was looking forward to this one, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. my uncle had a green 404 in the early 70s, happy memories! Thanks Ian 👍🏻

[@robenglish416]

Lovely Peugeot! Sometimes around 1970-73 my parents rented a cottage and the neighbours had a white 404, an old couple. We had a VW beetle and boy I envied that beautiful Peugeot with fins ( I was only 4 years old 1970)! Please do test a 504 if you can find one, my uncle had one and I remembered it being a motorway cruiser!

[@fred972levrai]

Even more resistant than the 404, virtually immortal if properly maintained, it conquered the African continent. The break (family) variant was often used here (Martinique, FWI) as a 9 seat small bus. Some pickup variants of both 404 and 504 with the Indenor Diesel are still professionally used today, they are quite rare now but the owners just wouldn't give them up or sale them at any cost, period : simple, reliable, tough and more capable on bad roads than some 4x4 that appear to be too heavy in such context (the very same reasons behind their success in Africa!)

[@golfman9290]

Yeah i always looked at these as a french Austin cambridge, and always wanted to know more about them, Ian answers all the questions as always, thanks Hubs.

[@profrumpo]

Another automotive treat. A lovely example of a rarely seen motor now, and what a lovely colour, thanks to the lucky owner and of course you Mr H.

[@tasospappas6627]

A friend of mine has a 1972 404 with sunroof and tan leather interior and has covered 995.000km

[@julienbee3467]

Did he buy it new ?

[@tasospappas6627]

@@julienbee3467 Yes!

[@julienbee3467]

@@tasospappas6627 1 life 1 car

[@tasospappas6627]

@@julienbee3467 Not exactly... He still has the 404 but when in 1986 he sent the engine for a total rebuild it was stolen and since then there is no engine in the car. Then he bought a 505 which he still uses.

[@gilron9585]

why not million ? :)

[@MrOvershoot]

What a joyous video and a joyous car, after a hot sweaty day at work in a flour mill that's cheered me right up. Thanks Ian :)

[@meirionevans5137]

Worth the wait, glad you enjoyed it too.

[@johncollymore1697]

Great video, driving and commentary, Ian - as usual. Great car of course. What fantastic condition both this 404 and the Wolseley Six are in - a great thank you to the owners too. Kind regards.

[@richardsheil5289]

How could it be a surprise that this car is excellent? Amazed you are amazed.

[@salipander6570]

French cars have been well engineered since forever, often more advanced than most British or German cars. Exceptions of course the mini and Austin 1100, which were very nice and advanced cars.

[@MrsZambezi]

@Rodger Hodgson And you have verbal diarrhoea.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

French cars have lost the market because of quality issues. I have had 5 French cars, I had my share of problems. The only car in the house just cannot be French. You need back-up.

[@MrsZambezi]

@Rodger Hodgson I hope your bowels get untwisted.

[@MrsZambezi]

@Rodger Hodgson Calm down dear.

[@MrsZambezi]

@Rodger Hodgson Ooh, how clever. Well done.

[@jonathancmilne67]

Thanks Ian for fixing the Playback!

[@AllThingsAlex]

Great video Ian. What a lovely car, and what a find. Amazed something so similar could be so different to its UK varient. Nice one!

[@81hac]

This brings back lots of fun memories, our family friends had a white 404, with a red interior, it also has a wide black stripe between the chrome and the bottom of the windows running the length of the vehicle… it’s was very exotic! Many trips with a tribe of kids in the car

[@isaacplaysbass8568]

Wow, what a beautiful and driveable little car! Thank you :)

[@wajisin]

Thank you for the return to then experience. I had a 1971 (1970) model 404, after driving a 1965 404 for three years. It was a Perth doctor's former car and it was a pleasure to drive, the engine did sound rather jetlike, which impressed the petrol heads. I admit to leaving the traffic lights in second gear more than one... a day. The trips from Perth to places as faras Albany were always enjoyable and my passengers marvelled that we made it to our destination, expecting to catch a train at some halfway mark - the Oxford design deceived them all. Those naivetesse raised on bulk over finesse.

[@davidflamee]

Another fine road test and, with such great handling and power.

[@waynetetley584]

I can just imagine leaving Paris and barreling down the RN6 towards Lyon in one of these overtaking on the original 3 lane route nationales, horn blowing as was the old custom when passing other cars. Hmmm memories 😊. Great report BTW 👍

[@vitorafterglowferreira2172]

Lovely! I remember watching several 404 in Portugal, as a kid. And some of them were taxi cabs, with the Lisbon taxi colors, back then: black and the ceiling in lettuce green. Awesome video.

[@donnageorge-henderson5419]

Fab 😎 love it when you're impressed by something you weren't expecting 😂

[@owendunne9889]

Great car reviews from Australia hub nut 👍

[@thelivingroombusker2013]

Waited patiently for this one! Great car!

[@davidstedman2420]

Great and surprising cars. Great review too. Loved seeing your reaction to this car Hubnut. You can't undrive the 404 now!

[@timelwell7002]

Lovely car, great review - many thanks, Ian..!

[@newtonwhatevs]

Love the car but I mostly watch these videos because of your gentlemanly manner.

[@paulplaskwa1600]

Great post Lord HB, thank you!!

[@declanvalters63]

"Look at that for a wiper pattern" - is why I love this channel so much

[@tiddlesmusic]

Thanks for your post, very nostalgic for me. I had one for many years until rust took its toll. A common problem sadly. A local motoring magazine did a retrospective on Peugeot in Australia looking at the 203 through to the 404 and concluded that for its time the 404 was probably the best family sedan ever! They're tough as boots too and will go forever once quirks like the ignition switch are finally figured out. I had an extended trip overseas and asked my father to use the car, as they don't like sitting around, and he had fallen for its many charms too by the time I returned and was sad to hand it back. I could go on and on. Thanks again, this is the best 404 video I've seen on here!

[@MPPelli]

To my eye the Peugeot 404 is the most balanced and prettiest design of the three mentioned (the others being the Lancia Flaminia and the BMC Farina). It's also the most recent one. Perhaps Pininfarina didn't just recycle the same design; they made incremental improvements until it was just right. And in that colour... oh la la!

[@deheerdeheer]

My 2nd and 3rd car. Lovely cars to drive. Thanks for the memories, Ian. I might want one again now. 🤔

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Such a pretty car and an enjoyable test. Peugeot really did make interesting cars back then. My brother had a 403. Cheers

[@rydermike33]

A most delightful 'Pug'. I was in Egypt a few years ago and saw quite a few of these, working as taxis, in remarkable condition.

[@peterriggall8409]

Bloody brilliant Mr. Hubnut. You either have very good knowledge or you swatted up or both. I think you covered every aspect. Owner Gary will be chuffed to view this, he has always loved the 404. Cheers. 😀👏

[@HubNut]

Cheers. Thanks again. Worked very well comparing with the Wolseley!

[@RWBHere]

One of Peugeot's best models. That's why they sold so many of them. They're scarce today, so I'm glad that you found one in good condition. Thanks Ian.

[@sean640307]

Most of the early Pugs were excellent long-distance touring cars - perfect for Australia's long distances

[@steve1962]

My dad had one from new in 1968.......it was the station wagon - three rows of seats......vinyl seats that got bloody hot in the summer........maroon it was...........we went all over Europe in it - great car!!

[@williamross2579]

My boss did Peking to Paris in a Pug 404, absolute beast, it still exists on the scene somewhere.... it sounds calmer than a BMC. Brilliant review Ian! 👍

[@thattubesound2214]

Awesome job on this. I had a '64 404, nearly the same color. I live in the States, where these cars were always somewhat of an oddity. I loved it, but that worm drive rear axle was getting noisy on mine. I've had several Peugeots over the years, and I always enjoyed the way the engines really pulled "above their weight". Excellent job, sir. I felt like I was in my old 404 again. Cheers from Utah, USA.

[@malcomermanson6592]

Thank you for another excellent review!

[@G-ra-ha-m]

Love these 404s, pininfarina styling. The convertible looks very pretty too.

[@pstricko1944]

how lucky you are to drive such old unusual cars thanks for the video

[@anthonymetcalfe7801]

You. Have brought some good memories back had one in 1979 bought for 750 pounds it was a 1972 maroon with a sunroof orange interim always remember getting the car and spending time looking for the petrol filler behind the number plate slight rust but lovely drive I was 21 at the time volvo ran into it in a car park written it off

[@Endfloat]

A very nice car indeed! I love the noise of the engine. It has that lovely classic 60s 4 pot sound. And the worm drive on the diff was a nice way of giving a low floor in the cab.

[@pg-rd7ik]

Oh wow - my late uncle (who lived in what was then called Rhodesia) had the estate version in that same colour. He said it was the best car he’d owned!

[@robinwells8879]

Glorious. Excellent idea to upload next to the Wolseley. Such pleasing design you can forgive absolutely any laziness there. There is no angle from which it looks less than gorgeous and I bet that is true of the estate version too. Definitely more utility than the BMC offering but with elegance in that simplicity. Some inspiration to the mechanical engineering also as you say. I had always wondered what the wires going to the fan were and had assumed that it was motor assistance for low engine revs. The clutch explanation is more logical.

[@taffy7hfa897]

What an absolutely beautiful car, I would sell a kidney to own one of these ….a superb example as well not a spec of rust anywhere, a real credit to its owner. Thanks for uploading !

[@grinnerwolff1]

My late dad sold off his v8 Holden to buy the 404 in the 70#. He made a very good choice.

[@notrut]

My Lecturer at Gateshead Technical College had one in late 70s .. pastel green estate. Diesel. Having been a Bus Fitter he was obsessed with fuel economy ... plus he lived up in the wilds of Durham. It was as clean as a whistle underneath. Thanks for the memory HubNut!

[@RichieRouge206]

Great to see the torque test actually. I had a V50 T5 and it’s party trick was starting off in 6th and staying there thanks to the huge torque.

[@koosdubbelkluts5503]

One of our neighbors back in the 70,s had a Diesel Break...and 10 children. It took one hour to fit everybody in an than an other hour to pre-heat it. But they never failed....i love these cars . Greetings from Holland.

[@VDPEFi]

Oh yes! Now that is spot on. As much as I love a hydraulic Citroen, the indestructible nature of the Peugeot's appeals so much. There's just something about how they used to fine tune steering and suspension that is special. Wonderful car, I want one now!

[@henryhol8538]

These cars were the staple in West Africa, they seemed to last forever. I do remember that column gearshift. They were replaced with the 504 in the 70's which had the added refinement of an independent rear suspension. That car proved to be equally bulletproof.

[@MapleMarmite]

That looked to be a brilliant driver! I recognize the headlamp switch operation - only ever owned a couple of 104s and a 305 so maybe one of those was the same. The 404 was apparently a well respected rural car here in Canada due to a lot of poorly maintained dirt roads. This road test makes me wish one of those 404s I sent you photos of at the old pig farm was saveable but sadly all too far gone for a long time.

[@dltellet]

My first car and a favorite. The bodies rusted quickly due to New York winters and the sunroofs leaked, but otherwise comfortable and fun. BTW, if I remember correctly, there was only one signal light on the dash - just showing you the indicators were on. I think they assumed you would know which direction you were turning. Thanks for bringing back fond memories!

[@allanbriggs807]

Talk about a trip down memory lane. Thanks Ian. Just a couple of points. We put Marchal quartz halogen globes in. The best headlights of any car I have ever driven. Great on country roads. Gave breadth and distance. The other mention is cruising speed. From memory the 1969 Peugeot 404 had a top speed of 94mph. However you could comfortably cruise at 85mph all day every day. The high cruising speed was really good. My 1969 Peugeot 404 did 140,000miles - a lot at very high speeds on country roads. I drove hard and fast. You just couldn't kill the 404. Best car I ever owned.

[@coniow]

This takes me back! My father bought one of the last in the UK, MAA819L, 1973. When the RHS Macpherson Strut bearings seized, he took it off the road, and it became my first car after I passed my test :-). The knobs on the instrument binnacle: The left hand one winds back the 'Trip' odometer, the right hand one is a dimmer for the instrument lighting. The lighting stalk 8:15 works in a U pattern: Lift it anti-clockwise, (think signaling left), you flash the High Beam. Pull it up towards your face gets the side-lights, from there lift it anti-clockwise, (think signaling left again), gets the Dip Beam, from there, push DOWN (towards the floor), puts on the High Beam. The heater, 10:29 has 2 flaps to the bottom left and right. When lifted, it cuts the air, when lowered, it allows the air around your legs and feet. Both are 'open' here. Another oddity is that the wheels only had 3 nuts spinning onto studs. Surprising for what is a heavy car. Also, the petrol filler is behind the rear number plate that hinges downward. The spark plugs are recessed into the engine , and have long springs attached on the top, (they have a box-nut wrench to get them out), and special plastic pipes that fit over the springs, (about 5 to 6 inches long, if memory serves), that clip onto the plugs at the bottom, with the HT leads inserted into the top, to pass current to the springs. One car you can not cross-thread the plugs on! There used to be a guy in North West London who kept bits for old 404s. Business called TAPREX. I doubt he is still around, though, as that was nearly 40 years ago. It was a lovely car to drive. Good times. Just had quick Google search for Taprex. Still in Harrow, doing Pluming and Air Con work, if it is the same family. The cars were a side-line from the main business. www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.taprex.6ccf5cf55547e2bfde4b447fbb2994c9.html

[@twocvbloke]

That bonnet hinge though, my goodness, you could use that sound in a horror film!!! :P

[@AaronSmart.online]

I was trying to place that familiar noise, but it sounds just like the springs on a "Stira" folding attic stairs

[@millomweb]

I think a bit of lube would help ! As an engineer, I hate painters !

[@raybell6984]

@@millomweb Absolutely... I've never heard noise out of one except if it had been lying around for some years. Lubrication is a help.

[@pjclark8624]

What a way to end a great video, Hubnut doughnuts!

[@icascone]

I enjoyed this review, hence I'm re-watching it!

[@bigjohno242]

That car has such character . Another one I’d love in my fantasy garage

[@PeterEmery]

I knew a fellow who owned the pickup version, really solid & reliable.

[@unbalancedcrank]

What a revelation! Because of its looks, I always imagined an agricultural, slow and stodgy car. This is streets ahead of BMC.

[@michaelharrison500]

What an eye opener We own a Farina styled Wolseley 6/99 in Penguin Tasmania I’ve seen many Peugeot 404’s over the years but never been in one But you’ve got me hooked What a great car Wish I’d known you were in Tassie

[@raybell6984]

Best of British with those front shocks...

[@eeclass20]

One of these is high on my list of cars I want, ironically in the last couple of days I've watched several long clips on KZbin of french classics doing tours. The 404 featured a lot naturally, the coupe and convertible may be pricey but the saloon is still affordable and the estate is huge. My dream 404 would one decked out in period Tour de France team colours! It also has a bit of long distance rallying pedigree too.

[@johannviljoen64]

Can confirm, there is no car before or after with the durability of this car. One landed in my hands at the age of nine years (my age not the car) on the farm, had "slight" accident damage, no windscreen but was a perfect runner. Much "racing" was done with it on and around the farm on tracks that would make a monkey reach for a walking stick. These were built in South Africa until 1978, the GL and Automatique fitted with 1800 engines.

[@alanbarrow7447]

Johann Viljoen I had this exact car (same colour too) in South Africa - bought it as soon as I came out of national service. Wonderful car - wish I could own one again!

[@tomasz5543]

My grandfather had such a car it was super experience to drive it.

[@will89687]

I had a Peugeot 505 estate with the X2DS engine. Heavenly ride...

[@petergouldbourn2312]

Great video by a great knowledgeable guy.

[@tristanpage6805]

Great video Ian