Rusty But Trusty

When prominent motor journalists and websites discuss cars that are unkillable, and popular in developing countries, the names they easily reach for include the Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols, and Land Rovers. But when a quick search can yield pictures such as the one at the bottom of this post (merci, Slate Afrique, from an article titled “Peugeot 505 – The Guinean Donkey“), they’re clearly making a major journalistic omission. Quick, we need to get the Times on this story – French Car Manufacturer Wronged by Anglophone Press! Fortunately, you need not just read about the Guinean beast of burden, you can also own one (or two or three) – check out this 1984 Peugeot 505 Diesel (that’s dee-ezelle, not deezel) for sale in Seattle, WA for $1500.

Among the competition (BMW E28 5-series, Mercedes W123 series, Volvo 240, Saab 900, Renault 18) Peugeot managed to design a fairly attractive sedan body (with Pininfarina’s help, no doubt). The scowling headlights and alloys from a turbo suggest performance this car cannot deliver, but it’s still a good looking car with great comfort and good road holding. How did they fail when companies like Volvo were offering similar benefits with less style? At least you can extract the most out of the powertrain with the 5-speed transmission.

The car is said to be clean and run well, and this interior shot underscores that claim. It has the less attractive early dash, and check out the funky curvature on that shift lever. Buy this car and you can share the same experience that cabbies across the world still do – well, except this car has heated leather front seats. Unfortunately, there is no engine shot, but at this price and with only 148,000 miles, it’s worth a quick call to see what the seller has to say.

So, 505 is too modern for you? Cinq vitesses are too many, and you prefer four? You have too many dollars and weesh to spend some more, Monsieur? Well, be not worried, we ‘ave ze solution for you: zees 1978 Peugeot 504 diesel, for sale in Lodi, NJ for $3800. This car looks amazing for its location, and is said to only have 50,000 miles. The seller has lost his storage space, so here’s your opportunity to cruise in French comfort, albeit slowly.

And here’s the evidence – don’t let anyone forget what these things can do!

Tags: 504, 505, diesel, Feature, french, peugeot, sedan

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