Cars and Tuning

They are the fifties and Europe reborn again, and passed the tough post-war years, thanks to the tenacity of its inhabitants and why not say, also the saviour Marshall Plan.

For those years the influence wielded by the United States was very big in the old Europe. The film from Holliwood planned a nation where any average family had a car (haiga in view of the majority). Most of the population lived in the cottage and was bought in supermarkets, which filled the cart with brown paper bags, the American way of life was taking root in Europe bleak.

Of course, this influence in caló engineers and designers of the most diverse brands mainland. Thus, a handful of cars appeared style similar, but smaller in size and mainly motor.

In the Salon de Paris of 1955 was officially presented the Peugeot 403. While it was a model expected, both by the press and the public (at the time the factory produced only the Sochaux 203), was somewhat overshadowed by the launch, to much fanfare, the innovative and aerodynamic Citroen DS. The truth is that the appearance of the shark almost overshadowed the rest of developments in the French market this year: Citroen 2 CV AZ, Panhard Dyna Z, Renault Dauphine, Aronde 1300 Elyseé Ford Vedette Marly, Facel Vega FV2, etc..

The 403 was a nice three-volume, large (almost 4.5 meters long) with monocoque body and designed by none other than Pininfarina, whose line resembled the big American sedans of the moment, but of course on a reduced scale. He was in the upper-middle segment of the French market, quoted by eight horses prosecutors and was typical car parent well, freelance or officer in the exercise. Its initial price was halfway between a Renault Dauphine and a Renault Fregate, closest to SIMCA 9 Aronde. It goes without saying that at the end of the fifties possess a 403 in Spain represented a genuine lijo. Not only had to pay the equivalent in pesetas, but also high tariffs, which had to add a degree of luck (or plug) to get the import license relevant. But even with it in our power, nor have the certainty that we awarded the coveted Peugeot, which could run out adjudicarnos quota of 403 and a similar, as a Ford Taunus 15 F, an Opel Rekord Olympia, an Austin A-55 Cambridge , and so on. All this may acquire a brand new 1400 Chevrolet National B (after a good dose of patience on the waiting list) by only 140,000 pesetas, ie, the salary of a few years of work by an employee half of the country.

However in neighbouring sales of the 403 Iban wind in its sails, and then offering versions began to diversify

From the original 403 of 1955, still in possession of intermittent arm and without lights position, until the last 403 Diesel 1966, spent 11 years in which the mark of the lion took root as the third brand car show.

The adoption of a new road safety rules in 1956 forced technicians to improvise Sochaux two pairs of pilots position and eliminate archaic flechitas side. In addition, he doto wheel hub caps with larger and improved staggered gearbox.

In the Salon of 1956 in Paris presents the Cabriolet, the affordable price of 1,250,000 francs; so do family and commercial versions (403 U 5).

Again as a result of a security law more restrictive across France are deleted mascots for the bonnets front, which lost its Peugeot lion chrome. In the spring of 1958, was offered as an option clutch semiautomatic Jaeger, however, in 1961 this equipment disappeared.

At the end of 1959, improving the suspension, with the installation of telescopic shock absorbers in the rear axle, and also amending caps bumper. In 1960, with the advent of the Sept 403 and 403 Diesel, the offer is extended with two mechanics to choose. The 403 of Sept was anything but new, since the late equipped 203, while the 403 Diesel was the first diesel to be assembled in a series saloon in the French market.

Both versions share bumpers without caps and the same type of grille, much more austere that the 403 / 8, consisting of a simple grid with the shield of a lion in the center.

With the launch of the new 404, in May 1960, the Peugeot 403 relegated to a secondary plane.

In 1963, it returned to produce changes in the 403 series; the initial model gives it a new front (with two horizontal lamas and shield between the two lion), and you see the 403 Sept Comfort, practicable and fitted with roof seats separated. Finally, in early 1966 cease construction of the 403 / 8 in November 1966 the two saloons disappear survivors (403 D and 403 Sept). That just left the truck version, which would die a few months later, in 1967.