Peugeot 203

The Peugeot 203 was built in 1948-1960 in over 685,000 copies by the French car manufacturer Peugeot in Sochaux. It was the first after the Second World War, newly developed car model of Peugeot. From 1949 to 1954 it was the only model of the brand.

Technology

The 203 was not Resumed pre-war model, but completely redesigned. Initially developed in the 1930s, Peugeot Type 202 was offered in parallel. The 203 had a self-supporting body, hydraulically actuated brakes and an independent front suspension with a transverse leaf spring and a rack and pinion steering. The rigid rear axle had coil springs and was led by a drawbar and a Panhard rod. Was driven model of a four-cylinder engine with 1290 cc displacement, the V- shaped overhead valves were controlled by a high-lying lateral camshaft via pushrods and rocker arms and generated an output of 33 kW ( 45 hp). The force was transmitted with a ( fully synchronized from 1954 ) four-speed gearbox via a cardan shaft to the worm gear of the differential on the rear axle. How many cars this time also had this vehicle a steering wheel gearshift. The electrical operating at a voltage of twelve volts which is provided by two series-connected six-volt batteries. As an extra, the sedans were equipped with a sunroof. Again and again, the model was modified to improve handling and comfort. The construction of the chassis and engine were slightly modified even in the Peugeot 403 used.

Model development

The shape of the 203 was only slightly changed during the production period. Only some minor modifications indicate the year of manufacture. 10/1949: seats with chrome trim, eliminating the locking handle on the trunk 05/ 1950: elimination of decorative jewelery on the front wings 10/1950: bumper horns right and left of the front license plate 04 /1951: bumpers fully chromed and new number plate light 01 /1952: painted dashboard in body color 03 /1952: new bumpers 10/1952: deflectors on the front doors, semi-circular speedometer, enlarged taillights 10/1953: Tank cap renewed, profiled and further around the body reaching around bumpers. The water drains on the roof now follow the shape of the doors, rather than up to the trunk 09/ 1954: reclining seats, change the number plate light 09/ 1956: indicators instead Winker 04 /1957: slightly enlarged hubcaps 09/ 1958: abolition of the lion on the bonnet for reasons of passive safety

Variants

Were offered in addition to the sedan also a Decouvrable ( Berline with full fabric roof ), a coupe, a convertible and various combi versions, referred to as Familiale, Commerciale, Fourgonnette, Fourgon, Camionnette and more. Total times were up to twelve different body versions with different wheelbases and structures to choose from. The 203 was also exported, especially to the former French colonial territories in Africa and Asia.

The French coachbuilder Emile Darl'mat built by about 250 vehicles. He reduced the height of the car by 140 mm, raising the compression ratio to 7.4:1 at. Thus, the engine produced 50 hp and it was a permanent speed limit of 140 km / h. There were 1.5 -liter engines with 70 horsepower. 1951 built the tuner also has a plastic body for the 203 and a coupe version with an aluminum body.

Peugeot also developed an SUV based on the 203, but which met with little interest in the military. This prototype was later used in the fire department as a fire extinguishing Peugeot vehicle.

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