1974 Peugeot 304S Cabriolet

Description

From a deceased estate; twin-carb S model; four owners, the current since 2009; resprayed in 2000; Ziebart protected; good running order; one of only around 50 surviving 

Styled by Pininfarina, the 304 made its debut at the 1969 Paris Motor Show and was to remain in production until 1980 by which time 1.2 million of these chic Peugeots had been sold. Using the centre section from the 204, a larger front and rear were grafted on, the front mirroring the styling of the new 504 which had met with such acclaim.

Independent suspension all round with specially designed dampers ensured that the astonishing ride quality associated with all Peugeots produced post-war was maintained, while front disc brakes added a touch of technology to an otherwise fairly conventional layout. 

The cars were initially fitted with an all-alloy 1,288cc single overhead cam engine, but from 1972 a more powerful twin-carb S version was also offered which boosted power to 75bhp. Driving the front wheels via a four-speed all-synchro gearbox, the 304 had very respectable 96mph performance thanks to its light weight. A range of body styles were available including a lovely coupe and cabriolet – all offering a very stylish and comfortable means of transport with immense Gallic charm.

This rare RHD 304S Cabriolet is one of only 836 sold in the UK of which only around 50 are still registered today, only half of them on the road. It was supplied new by Hawkins Motors of St Austell to a Mr J Lawrence of Perranporth in February 1974 with the registration number PCV 666M.

In 1976 when it had covered 11,280 miles, it was acquired by a Lt Cmdr JW Northam of Truro who had the car Ziebart protected. This clearly did its job well because an engineer’s report that he commissioned in 1984 when the car had covered 49k miles declared it to be “in excellent original condition with no signs of rust deterioration... has been maintained to a very high standard indeed”.

Interestingly, the examiner said it was hard to value because it was already a rare collector’s item but he suggested that it had a minimum value of £2,000. A tidy sum back then when the average annual wage in the UK was £8,500 and you could still pick up a 12-year-old Lamborghini Miura for £7,500!

In 1996 it was acquired by a Church Stretton gent and the number was number was changed to XYD 458M. He had the car resprayed in c.2000. Our vendor’s late-husband (the fourth owner) acquired the car in 2009 and had the front seats re-covered in black leather in c.2011. Notes on file from the vendor state that he used the car to take to local shows, having it regularly maintained by a Peugeot-trained mechanic, although there are no invoices to support this.   

Currently showing 103,780 miles, a check of the MOT history online shows that it has covered c.10,000 miles since 2006. We are told that the car runs and drives well and it has certainly been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site.

Documentation includes the original owner’s handbook and service book (unstamped), original warranty card, Ziebart certificate, engineer’s report from 1984, magazine features on the model plus some photos of the car as it looked in 2012. A hood cover is present in the boot.

As you can see in the photos, this rare and handsome 304S looks generally solid and presentable and is ready for a new owner to enjoy.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com