Buzz
The Peugeot 203 was the first major design by the automaker following World War II. Browse more vintage car images.Since its establishment in France in 1889, Peugeot cars, like the 1957 Peugeot 203C four-door sedan, have spread across the world. At one point, they were even present in the United States, where a Peugeot became a cultural icon. On the TV show Columbo, the iconic, disheveled detective drove a weathered 403 convertible.
Classic Cars Image Gallery
If the 1957 Peugeot 203C sedan seems unfamiliar to Americans, even those knowledgeable about European cars, that's understandable. This model hails from a time before Peugeots were officially imported to the U.S. in 1958 (although a few had made their way there in small numbers prior to that).
The 203 marked Peugeot's first new model after World War II. Unveiled in 1948, it became the company's only offering in 1949 following the discontinuation of the prewar 202. In April 1955, the 203 was joined by the more modern 403 series, but production of the 203 continued until early 1960. By then, nearly 700,000 units had been manufactured.
In 1952, the 203 received chrome bumpers, and in 1954, a larger rear window was introduced.The 203's unitary body design underwent minimal changes. Its styling bore a resemblance to 1940s Chrysler models. Chrome bumpers were added in 1952, and the rear window was made larger in 1954, while the fuel filler was concealed in the right rear fender.
Powering the 203 was a 1.3-liter overhead valve four-cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers, generating approximately 42 horsepower. This engine was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, featuring an overdrive top gear.
The production of the 203 continued until early 1960.This 203C underwent a restoration between 1985 and 1987 and has since accumulated over 90,000 miles.
For more information on cars, see:
- Classic Cars
- Muscle Cars
- Sports Cars
- Consumer Guide New Car Search
- Consumer Guide Used Car Search
