AT the end of October a handful of Cape Town journalists and their partners were invited to a gala dinner at Skilpadvlei, near Stellenbosch, to a Gallic triple celebration – the 200th anniversary of the Peugeot organisation, the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Peugeot 404, and the 20th anniversary of the charmingly titled Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud. The venue’s restaurant provided a convivial setting for a pleasant evening of reminisces, presentations and general good banter.
The Peugeot family came from peasant stock living from land they first rented then purchased and by the 15th century had acquired its freedom and become rich. Such entrepreneurial spirit became a family trademark as members became, amongst other things, traders and craftsmen, which allowed them to forge their own destiny.
In 1810 two companies were formed, one centred on textiles, the other – Peugeot Fréres & Compagnie – into metallurgy, a timeous choice because of the Industrial revolution taking place at the time. Producing such diverse items as saws, tools, coffee mills, hair clippers, sewing machines and even corsetry, it was the more profitable of the two companies and became the foundation of the company as we know it today. Bicycle manufacture began in 1885 and four years later a three-wheeler steam car was built in association with Léon Serpollet, effectively ‘igniting’ Peugeot as a motor manufacturer.
On page 37 of the very first edition of CAR magazine in February 1957, a photograph of a 403 was shown, the caption describing it as a “lively four-door saloon”. And in November of that year, a Sydney Clow & Co Ltd advertisement for the “Superb Peugeot 403” appeared on the magazine’s cover.
But it was the 404 that probably did most to establish the brand in the hearts of the South African public. The first CAR road test appeared in February 1962, in which the saloon – registered CA 404 – was described as being “… a clear demonstration of the trend” towards improved safety in vehicle manufacture, citing the 404’s “stopping power and handling characteristics” as primary reasons for the accolade. The 404 was classified as being in the “R2 000-plus moderate luxury bracket” – it sold for R2 110 at the coast and R2 140 on the reef – the two prices being common practice at the time due to transportation costs from the harbours. The test summary claimed “… this is quite the handsomest car to come from the old-established Peugeot factory in recent years”. CAR tested some 16 derivatives of 404 up to 1979.
Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud was formed on 11 August 1990 and it is the only active Peugeot club in South Africa. Member’s models date back to the 1920s, but the largest concentration date from the halcyon days of the 1970s and ’80s. Enthusiasm for the marque is infectious – the club is aligned with similar groups around the world, and members from other clubs in France, the Netherlands and Belgium were at the Cape gathering. The club is also affiliated to Peugeot South Africa, which regularly lends support through visits and invitations to shows and new model launches. Every year, Peugeot clubs from around the world meet in Paris under the auspices of L’Aventure Peugeot. The strong ties were personified by the presence of Peugeot SA managing director Jean Francois Bacos, who flew down especially to attend the dinner. He was presented with a club trophy for display in the company’s boardroom.
“Club Peugeot Afrique du Sud is dedicated to the preservation of Peugeot cars, the fostering of friendship between enthusiasts and to extend the interest in Peugeot vehicles and the rich history of the marque.” Club details can be found at [email protected] or by ’phoning Johan on 082 8202 504.
Happy Triple Anniversary from all at CAR!