Peugeot 505
Most French cars of the 1980s and before were weirdly styled, horribly unreliable, slow, and possessed a combination of pillowy ride and freak-show interior ergonomics. This combination proved to be either immediately endearing or nausea-inducing to Americans.
The Citroen CX, for example, was such a car--my lust for that vehicle marks me as one of those unfortunates genetically predisposed to French cars. I'm hoping medical science finds some pharmacological help for me before I do something I regret.*
If it is at all possible for a French car to be in the American mainstream--and I'm not at all convinced that this possibility exists--then the Peugeot 505 was it. It replaced the typically strange 504, but set itself apart from the diverse oddness of other French cars.
Smart buyers bypassed the gutless base four-cylinder, but real power was available from either a smooth V-6 in the STX, or a punchy turbo. Its handling was almost sporty, and its driving manners were endearing. Its handsomely crisp sedan lines were reminiscent of a contemporary BMW 7-series, but with just a hint of Gallic expressiveness--which, like the pungent bleu cheese of which the French are so fond, is best used in strict moderation lest it overwhelm the basic flavor. The 505 was also available as a good-looking wagon.
The 505 sold like hotcakes in America, at least by French car standards. Which is to say, Toyota has probably spilled more Corollas off the docks than Peugeot sold 505s. Nonetheless, you can still find 505s on the road, and for me at least, a used 505 is a dangerously seductive option. There were a cornucopia of interesting European sports coupes and sedans available in the 1980s, and for me the Peugeot 505 was one of the most interesting of the group. Viva la difference!
I've included a creepy and bizarre 505 commercial below--evidently a 505 driving through your window and coming to a stop in your bedroom is proof positive that the French brought the same inspiration to the 505 as they do, um, in the bedroom. That's information we don't get from Chevy and Ford.
The handsome 505s featured here all belong to Peugeot Club of North America members. The top 505 STX belongs to Rick Matteis, the gray 505 STi belongs to Mike Murphy, and the gorgeous 505 GLS wagon belongs to Jim Lill.
* I once came this close to purchasing a windshield-less diesel Peugeot 504 in a level of condition that could best be described as not "Excellent," not "Good," not even "Poor," but rather "returning to the earth from whence it came." Fortunately, my horrified friends staged an intervention and brought me to my senses. I still get goosebumps and cold sweat when I think about that near-miss.
--Chris H.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on March 07, 2008 at 11:10 AM
One of my law-school classmates had a green one. He called it "The Booger," and that was not a term of endearment. It drove well enough--between breakdowns, that is.
Frank Black on March 07, 2008 at 01:07 PM
I have odd memories of the 504. In my many trips to Egypt (archaeology), I've ridden in numerous 504's since that is one of the favorites of taxi drivers. Generally speaking, ask any archaeologist working in Egypt what he/she is most fearful about they will reply, not terrorists or curses from the mummy's tomb, but being anywhere near a road.
Tough cars though. I'll let this photo tell my own particular harrowing story: http://www.acagle.net/images/FieldPhotos/FayumFP04.jpg
Frank Black on March 07, 2008 at 01:08 PM
I have odd memories of the 504. In my many trips to Egypt (archaeology), I've ridden in numerous 504's since that is one of the favorites of taxi drivers. Generally speaking, ask any archaeologist working in Egypt what he/she is most fearful about they will reply, not terrorists or curses from the mummy's tomb, but being anywhere near a road.
Tough cars though. I'll let this photo tell my own particular harrowing story: http://www.acagle.net/images/FieldPhotos/FayumFP04.jpg
Mochi Mochi on March 07, 2008 at 01:32 PM
The 505 is a lovely car- the wagon has particularly nice lines. But the fact that it is more mainstream really bothers me and I think that is why I always liked the 504 a little better.
My fondest view of the 504 was through the rear view mirror of a 1979 Mercedes 280SE I was driving through the Ardennes Forest. The roads were a dream of twists, turns, and open straights through rolling hills and pastures. The 280 was in its element. A 504 had for some time been dogging me in a most inappropriate way. After slipping through one beautiful but challenging curve I looked back and watched the 504 slide into road shoulder and knocking down plastic road marker after plastic road marker - each breaking off like a match stick in an almost choreographed succession. The 504 appeared to be undamaged and continued on at a more appropriate speed, its Gallic driver chastened by the laws of physics. After that I had a soft spot in my heart for the 504.
There was never any reason to think of the 504 or the 505 as any sort of real competition or as a great car. They were part of that automotive spectrum that is considered peculiar or strange. One could even reasonably argue that the Peugeot could be in the spectral range of the incompetent car. What ever the case it's a French car and its weirdly attractive so honestly that's good enough for me. I want one.
Don Meaker on March 07, 2008 at 05:41 PM
The difference between Heaven and Hell is Personel Management.
Heaven has English police, French cooks, German mechanics, Swiss bankers, Italian lovers.
Hell has English cooks, French mechanics, German police, Swiss lovers, and Italian bankers.
Chris on March 10, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I drove one of these for about a year. An excellent, if low-powered cruiser. These things had huge tanks & with good mileage, they could drive for ever--it seemed.
Alas, one day after the 200,000 mile mark, the stick shift broke off in my hand as I drove down the parkway. It was a sign that shortly thereafter the transmission would no longer shift at all!
I did like that car!
Coleman Nee on March 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
My parents had a 504 when we lived in Kenya in the early 80's. It was the car that I learned to drive in and I loved it. French cars are bizarre enough to begin with, but imagine a French car with right-hand drive (i.e. the steering wheel on the other side). Since it was an "African specs" model it had to be incredibly basic, i.e. no electric anything, even the choke was manual. The African models also had extra high ground clearance so they could deal with situations where the road disappeared and became one big pothole. It was even a passable off-roader. No 4wd, but with the high ground clearance you could easily head off into the bush to see some lions in the game parks. A terrific car overall. I have never really liked Renaults, and Citroens are a whole new level of wierd, but I always have warm feelings for Peugeots. It's strange that they seem to have dropped the 50X series entirely. Now they jump right from the 407 to the 607. The 607 is too big and not at all convincing as a luxury car. If they put it on a diet and revived the 50X line I bet they would sell a lot more.
Philippe on March 11, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I wonder where I can find a good CX to buy!
I love that car! Positively.
Chris Hafner on March 11, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Mochi Mochi: "There was never any reason to think of the 504 or the 505 as any sort of real competition or as a great car."
Yep. No offense meant to the 504 - I'm just awfully relieved I didn't buy that particular 504.
Sigivald on March 11, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Gonna do the 2CV?
JEM on March 15, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Peugeot built cars for 'world' markets back then and their definition of the 'world' was France's former African colonies. We in the West got a pretty decent independent suspension but the wagons were all stick-axle and they built sedans that way for the bush, too.
The 505 was a nice car, magnificent seats, nicely laid-out interior sans some of the quirks of the 504. It was even decently attractive until they stuck the body kit on it later in its life.
The 505 Turbo was pretty fast for a big sedan and had a Torsen diff as standard, it won the SCCA Showroom Stock title for its class for a couple years back in the '80s.
on March 17, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I've owned two 504 diesels, one 505 turbo gas, and one 405mi16. All great cars, I liked the 405 least (cramped interior, firmer ride, and I'm not a fan of front wheel drive). The cars were "different," but to me in a very nice way. I did all my own mechanical work and found the cars to be as reliable as anything else around. They were made a little differently and required one to be more open minded as to how to effect a repair, but really no problem. Their bad reputation, I think, comes more from the fact that few mechanics were willing to take the time to learn how to work on them rather than any inherent flaw in the design or construction. The 504's had a wonderful ride quality with decent handling. The 505 was fast, handled very well, and rode reasonably well. The 405 handled very well and was very responsive but was just a bit too harsh in it's ride quality.
on May 04, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I have owned one or more 505s continuously since 1982. Wagons, sedans, standards, automatics, 4s, turbos, V6s - everything but the excellent turbodiesel, and that was only because I could not find one. In the last few years, I have been looking for replacement for my vehicles, which are all now over 20 years old and with from 130,000 to 200,000 miles on them, but can find nothing that will do all that a 505 can do. Top notch ergonomics, chassis engineering, excellent use of space, comfortable, confident under all road and weather conditions, clean, crisp and classic styling are all strengths of the 505. Yes, it has a few weaknesses, but none of them are debilitating, rather they define the character of the car. They are rapidly becoming a 1:1,000,000 find. Although I do not seek the attention that they often generate, it is gratifying.
BTW, the gray sedan shown above is my 87 V6 automatic - a lovely car in the city and on the open road. As for the blue wagon, an 88, also shown above, I bought it from bud Jim Lill a few years ago, and it has proven to be a wonderful winter car, starting in the coldest weather without a plug in, and easily handling hills, snow and ice that have sometimes sent Jeeps back to lick their wounds. See some of the rest at http://www.flickr.com/photos/37113817@N00/
Mike Murphy
Immanuel_Cant on May 04, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I am not a 405 fan - it's simply too small for someone 6'3" and I prefer RWD, but here is a video that shows the car climbing Pikes Peak - con brio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yDsLdObr34
Erik Clauberg on August 25, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I had a handed down 505 as my first car.Loved her to death,like my mom who gave it to me.And like her,it was somewhat finicky yet sturdy.Both became even more so with high mileage,naturally.Saab,BMW,and Volvo were always know for longevity.I've had both Swedes.None seemed to carry on as stubbornly as the Pug.
Jean on September 01, 2008 at 07:29 PM
It's now Sept, so this thread is about dead, unfortnately. That "creepy" 505 advert was, I thought, one of the best spots I'd ever seen in my life...and I'm a creative director at an ad agency. I owned a new 505 sedan from '84 to '86 and it was an entirely painfree and wonderful car. A nice memory was taking it on the banked racetrack of my ex-wife's grandparents (Pocono) and hitting 120mph.
And this could be the year:
Audi, with seven-times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen in fourth place, said they were focusing more on set-up for the race, which starts on Saturday.
"We cannot do a better lap time than Peugeot," Dane Kristensen said.
Gary Borkowski on January 13, 2009 at 04:57 PM
I am looking for a tire to fit the 13" rim from my 1983 Peugeot 505s diesel - the rim size is 150 TR390. OR I need help finding a rim and tire that will fit this car - the current rim is a 4 lug 140 mm hole spacing.