Peugeot 504 rally car that can go the distance 

If proof were needed that a car doesn’t need to be the fastest, the rarest, the most valuable or the best-looking in order to be truly great, then Peugeot’s 504 is it. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 1968, its Pininfarina-styled bodywork was certainly more modern looking than that of the 404 it replaced but, while attractive enough, it was far from being revolutionary.

Things were pretty ordinary beneath the skin, too: a longitudinally mounted, four-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox and torque tube to give the car a top speed of around 95mph. What was special about the 504, however, was that it was built very, very tough.

In the tradition of French cars designed to cope with less-than-perfect roads, it benefited from robust construction and a combination of large diameter wheels and long suspension travel that gave it plenty of ground clearance.

Part of the reason for the 504 being made this way was that it would be destined for export to countries around the world – notably in Africa and South America where washed-out trails and rutted tracks were more the norm, not smooth Tarmac.

The car’s combination of a high ride height, robust bodywork and mechanical durability made it a smash hit, leading to a 15-year production run that saw more than three million 504s sold, with thousands more examples being assembled in Kenya and Nigeria from knock-down kits – the latter right up until 2006.

It’s no surprise, then, that the 504’s potential as a rally car was quickly recognised, and works and privateer entries soon became a familiar sight at events such as the East African Safari (which 504s won in 1975 and 1978) and the Rallye du Maroc (wins in 1975 and the following year).

Today, 40 years after Peugeot officially stopped building the 504, its remains a highly effective historic rally car and an especially popular choice for the most gruelling, long-distance competitions such as the Peking to Paris and London to Cape Town.

And if you’re in search of a turnkey classic in which to tackle similar events, this superbly prepared 504 is definitely worth serious consideration – not least because it’s being sold for less than it would probably cost to build.

Created from an undamaged donor car that was stripped to the bare bones before being rebuilt to the same specification as the original works Safari Rally contenders, it runs the 2-litre variant of the standard 504 petrol engine which has been lightly tweaked to produce 146bhp.

An upgraded radiator and front-mounted oil cooler, twin ignition coils and twin ignition modules ensure even greater reliability and, inside, the car is suitably equipped for competition with a built-in rollcage, OMP racing seats and harnesses, plumbed-in fire protection and a full complement of instruments (including trip meters).

Having completed the 2018 Himalayan Challenge the car was fully refreshed by Rally Preparation Services of Witney, Oxfordshire and remains in ready-to-go condition.

All you’ll need to do is fill in the entry forms… so what are you waiting for?

1973 Peugeot 504 rally car

On sale with Manor Classic Cars, York.
Asking: £38,900.manorclassiccars.com

Jacques be nimble, Jacques be quick

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