Peugeot 403
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Peugeot 203 |
| Founded | May 1955 |
| Defunct | October 1966 |
| Successor | Peugeot 404 |
Area served | Worldwide (including France, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand) |
| Products | Mid-sized automobiles (sedan, estate, convertible, pickup truck, van) |
Peugeot 403 represents a mid-sized automobile manufactured by Peugeot between May 1955 and October 1966. Over 1.2 million units were produced across multiple variants, including commercial versions, making it the first Peugeot model to exceed one million sales.
History
The 403 was first unveiled as a sedan on 20 April 1955 at Paris's Trocadéro Palace. Before its official release, numerous unbadged 403s underwent testing near the Sochaux plant, drawing significant interest from Parisian automotive journalists.
Equipped with a TN3 engine, it carried an 8 CV tax horsepower rating, positioning it below the soon-to-be-obsolete 11 CV Citroën Traction but ahead of smaller competitors in its category.
Initially, the vehicle sported Peugeot’s signature forward-leaning chrome lion hood ornament, which was removed in 1959 due to safety concerns and replaced by a shield-shaped grille badge. Semaphore-style indicators mounted on the C-pillars gave way to flashing turn signals integrated within the rear light assemblies. The front lighting was upgraded to comply with updated regulations, and in 1957, the original "cross hands" windscreen wipers were replaced by parallel blades.
Throughout its production run, incremental enhancements were made. In 1959, the windscreen washer jets were repositioned from between the bonnet and windscreen to the rear edge of the bonnet. Additionally, the steering wheel’s semi-circular horn ring was substituted with a fully circular horn ring.
Design
Conceived by Pinin Farina, the 403 showcased ponton-style three-box bodywork and included a metal sunroof on all but the most basic trims. This design collaboration marked the beginning of a partnership exceeding five decades, during which Pinin Farina crafted numerous key Peugeot models. It is rumored that this design was originally proposed for a Fiat 1900 successor but was rejected when Fiat delayed their model update.
A distinctive feature of the 403 was its rear doors opening at a full 90°, an uncommon trait in Europe at that time. Furthermore, despite wheel arch intrusions into the door frames, rear door windows were engineered to roll down completely.
Engine
The powertrain comprised an enlarged variant of the Peugeot 203’s 1290 cc petrol engine, expanded to 1468 cc. This inline four-cylinder engine employed pushrod-operated valves and hemispherical combustion chambers with a crossflow cylinder head, delivering at 4,900 rpm and torque at 2,500 rpm; output increased to in 1958. A thermostatically controlled fan enhanced fuel economy by approximately 5–10% and reduced noise by disengaging below 75°C and reactivating above 84°C. A carburetor heater activated by hot water from the cabin heater improved cold start performance.
In autumn 1958, Peugeot launched a diesel estate version of the 403, followed by a diesel saloon in 1959, initiating a long-standing tradition of diesel-powered models.
After discontinuing the Peugeot 203 in 1960, Peugeot offered a reduced-capacity version of its 1290 cc engine in a lower-specification 403 variant initially named "403 Sept," later rebranded as "403 Berline Luxe." This smaller engine positioned the vehicle within France’s advantageous 7CV tax bracket compared to the standard model’s 8CV rating.
Transmission
The standard drivetrain featured a four-speed manual gearbox with all synchromesh gears powering the rear wheels; the gearshift lever was mounted on the right side of the steering column. Beginning in October 1957, an optional Jaeger electro-magnetic automatic clutch became available as an extra-cost feature to enable smoother gear changes.
Interior
The front seats could be fully reclined to create a level surface with the rear seat cushions, forming a flat "couchette" space designed to enhance passenger comfort.
Body variants
For the five-door "Familiale" and "Commerciale" estate models, the wheelbase was lengthened by . The Familiale version included a third seating row, allowing it to accommodate seven to eight occupants, whereas the Commerciale maintained a traditional estate seating arrangement.
These estate models featured a solid rear axle paired with an aluminum differential housing, a manual column-mounted gearshift, and in the Familiale trim, front seats capable of full recline. Standard equipment included a sunroof and steel-belted radial tires.
A two-door convertible with premium leather interior was also manufactured; however, its production volume remained low due to its price being approximately 80% higher than the base "berline grand luxe" sedan. Convertible production ceased in spring 1961, preceding the introduction of the 404 Cabriolet.
Commercial versions expanded the 403 lineup with two-door pickup trucks and three-door vans, broadening its appeal in the utility vehicle segment.
Production
Supplanted primarily by the Peugeot 404 starting in 1960, the 403 continued as an economical choice. Saloon production concluded in October 1966, while pickup truck (camionnette) manufacturing persisted until March 1967 when replaced by the 404 pickup.
Manufacturing extended beyond France to include facilities in Argentina and Australia. In New Zealand, a local Volkswagen assembler produced 1,033 Peugeot 403 units between March 1960 and early 1964.
The Argentine plant achieved up to 90% local parts content, demonstrating significant adaptation to regional manufacturing requirements.
Peugeot 403 production figures (units):
- 1955 ..... 21,326
- 1956 ..... 71,551
- 1958 ... 121,757
- 1961 ..... 78,296
- 1964 ..... 53,371
- 1965 ..... 27,296
- 1966 ..... 40,805 (including camionnettes)
(Note: These numbers exclude light trucks based on the 403 chassis.)