Peugeot is coming back to the US
 

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/french-cars-peugeot-returning-america/?wc_mid=4035:16068&wc_rid=4035:626693&_wcsid=9FBEC1764380282687D50AAB9F2A35C563DAC165A63C7B7D

Cool. I like some of their cars. The wagon and sedan in article look very nice.

I really liked the 504’s and 505’s...

They were always interesting cars...like French cars tended to be.

Especially the 504 coupe and cabriolet, designed by Pininfarina. In my humble opinion one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

Peugeot dealers were always thinly funded operations. Parts and service was spotty in the US. They looked great, and were as comfortable as a la-z-boy. I briefly drove a 404 station wagon which was as slow as a turtle and rolled around turns like a CrisCraft. The last 405's were reasonably well powered, but earlier cars were underpowered by US standards. Especially the diesels. When they left in '92, they just pulled up stakes and abandoned the market. All of the dealers I know of went bust and parts became scarce. The cars themselves deserved better, but their loss was unlamented and mostly unnoticed.

i remember their diesels breaking crankshafts

One of the most comfortable cars I've ever ridden in.

I wonder if buyers will take a chance on buying one. It may be too hard a market to break back into.So they may not stay.

Also the timing with Trump and his tariff mentality is not predictable. I assume they would be built in France?

My dad had a 505 diesel sedan in the mid 80s, I think he bought it with under 100k. He had been a diesel mechanic is his early 20s, he told be the car was just broke in.

He and I did a trip from OlyWA to San Diego and back in it. We spent a couple weeks at a nutrition spa. Great time. Car ran great. He never shared with me why he sold it, got rid of it, whatever. I saw him put in new injectors once. Not sure what else he did on it.

In '89 I came into the ownership of a '70 Volvo 122S station wagon. Neat car, ran pretty good but the seats were shot. Just in tatters, some of the springs about to pop out. I was looking for seats at a wrecking yard - no Volvo seats but I found some in excellent shape in a Pugeot, a 504 or a 505, not sure.

They were a bit wider than my Volvo seats but I calculated that I could fit them in. Not sure how I attached them to the Volvo runners but I did. Holy crap, that was the most happening 122S in Seattle. What a ride. I told a Pugeot owning pal that the seats were the best thing about the car.

My family swore by Pugeot's back in South Africa. I swore at them. Never understood the mystique. Never new one that was able go any length of time without overheating. The worst rust I've ever seen on any vehicles ever. There are way better vehicles already available here. I doubt they'll last.

- Peter.

Do we really need more burning heaps on the side of the road?

Patiently awaiting Renault’s reappearance on our shores. Who can forget the Fuego?

I had one for a few years. I don't remember just which one; it was the smaller one with a bit of a sports package.

I got it cheap and drove it until it quit. I do remember the ride and the seats. Both were outstanding.

I removed the front seats before it was hauled away. They were black leather and perfect for sitting back in and playing video games.

I doubt they will bring a diesel here what with emissions standards and all, but with small Mercedes and Caddy's selling I can see where they would think they could compete.

I think the reason the wagons were so slow, and they were, is they were built to be commercial vehicals and were gussied up for the US market. For the smaller roads in most old Euro towns they were just the thing for making deliveries. If you look at the old wagons you will see that weird bulge in the back of the roof. It was so you could cram in more stuff to deliver.

There was a dealer in Dallas on LBJ freeway that went in big. Professional service, extensive parts supply, separate showroom.... And then the rug was pulled out from under him.

I never talked to him myself but I heard he was unhappy to the max.

Poo-Joes
 

Pops bought a four door Pug in 1959 ?304? maybe .

It was an amazing car, took a horrible beating and never left us afoot, held up to four or five New England Winters well, finally the firewall got rusty and that was that .

In 1967 he gray marketed a 404 wagon, another fine car (stick shift) that rode better than a Caddy and got great fuel economy . the engine died because my sister ran it out of oil on the New York Turnpike, then junked it .

In 1971 he bought my step mother a FWD wagon, I don't recall what series, it wasn't a fine car but trouble free at least and *very* comfy .

In 1973 I got a jog Mechanicing at an Indie Peugeot garage, we had 12 bays or so and two older French brothers ran the place, it turns out the Peugeots, like every French car, are different because, well because the French don't care how anyone else does anything, learn how their cars work and repair them that way and BINGO ! great cars .

As mentioned, the seats are amazing .

I had a 1976 505 (?) for a short time, sold it cheaply to two Mexican sisters who loved it for the five years it lasted them in spite of no one knowing how to service it .

French cars are weird ~ if you can understand them (good luck) they're pretty good .