Peugeot

SPCRenault, Citroen and Peugeot are names of French car makers. If German cars are described as masculine, French cars should be said to be feminine.

SPCThe ban on automobile production enforced by General MacArthur was lifted in 1949. And in 1952, Japan started to import cars from the U.S. and Europe. Especially, Austine(Japanese partner: Nissan) and Hillman(Isuzu) of England and Renault(Hino) of France exported components to Japan and assembled cars in Japan (knockdown system).

SPCPeugeot 203A of this Museum is 1,300 cc and 42 hp and was imported as a finished car from French in 1954. Its first owner spent valuable foreign currency for importing this car for the private use of the president of a company which manufactured car components. Peugeot 203A was produced for 12 years from 1948 to 1960. While the body was commonly put on the chassis in Japan, this car was made by monocoque method without using the chassis. In addition, it is covered with a sunroof and a roof rack can be attached. It is easy to imagine that this car amazed the Japanese. Since a 1954-model, bracket-type direction indicators were changed to winkers.

SPCPeugeot 203A of this Museum has bracket-type direction indicators just above rear seats and they are raised to point right and left. Its body is light, weighing 900 kg, and its coil springs are comfortable. Therefore, when we ride, we really feel the femininity of the car. When it was imported, its color was gray, and its long-nose, first back design is compact version of the U.S. cars made in 1942 and 1943.

SPCThis car took part in a parade to celebrate the opening of Seto-Ohashi bridge on April 10, 1988. It still runs on streets and its inspection is obliged every year. Its license plate is '5 Su 0400.' This has become a valuable car and people marvel at the car when they see it for the first time.