Peugeot 604: A President’s Favorite

When launched in 1975, with its clean-cut line and ultra-classic look, the Peugeot 604 started to symbolize the French top range of cars full of discretion, for many years. With 4.72 m long and 1.77 m wide, the Peugeot 604 is the largest on the European market when unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Although its line certainly was not a model of aerodynamics with a Cx of 0.44, it reflected, for some time, the image of bourgeoisie, without ostentation nor arrogance offering comfort, silence and elegance. Designed by Pininfarina, who strictly followed Peugeot’s recommendations,  the new 604 is a 3 volume car with 4 doors, capable of accommodating 5 persons. The boot is wide and flat. The body belt is high and the general silhouette remains rectilinear and very angular. As from the beginning 150 units were produced each day.

If its style is Classic, so is its engine, with the rear wheel drive. We have here the famous PRV, fruit of a collaboration between Peugeot, Renault and Volvo. This is a V6 engine, 2664 cc, 136 hp. The maximum speed is 180 km per hour and fuel consumption high.  The suspensions were carefully studied and will remain an asset on this car. The interior corresponds to the car level without much originality, with either a velvet or leather upholstery. The equipment is very complete with electric windows, an elegant dashboard and a sunroof available as an option.

Several versions were later presented with a more powerful engine: the TI in 1979, with 2664 cc and K-Jetronic Injection – Turbo-Diesel in 1980, the first one in Europe with a 4 cylinder engine of 2304 cc Indenor Diesel and turbo-compressor offering 80 hp at 4250 rpm  – GTI from 1984 till 1986 with a 2849 cc delivering 155 hp at 5750 rpm with a maximum speed of 190 km per hour. However, this latter version did not convince a clientèle requesting a new body. In 1979, the firm Heuliez proposed a long version of the Peugeot 604. Treated as a limousine, it was extremely luxurious. The transformation on a normal 604 lasted two months and the price was in consequence. Production of the 604 lasted 10 years until 1985. It was not particularly a success for Peugeot. In all 153.252 units were sold.

President Giscard d’Estaing had a predilection for cars fitted with an automatic gearbox. He immediately liked the Peugeot 604 and his official car was grey with light alloy wheels  and light brown leather upholstery. The former French President also owned a metallic green 604 as a personal car. All the cars used by Monsieur Giscard d’Estaing had his fetish number: 691. When he was a Finance Minister, he had a terrible accident with his chauffeur and both men succeeded in pulling themselves out of the debris of the car. As their lives were saved, decision was made to keep this lucky number.  

Peugeot 604 GTI, 1984.

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Dashboard of the Peugeot TI, 1979.

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Peugeot 604.

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Peugeot 604 TI, 1979.

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