The number 403 marked the second model series of Peugeot after the war. Following the 203, it had decisive impact on the reputation of reliability of a Peugeot from that period. Could you still recognize the individual mudguards at the 203, so they were here already fully integrated in the body. By the way, the design originated from Pininfarina, by which a cooperation was initiated over many years. The also introduced the curved windshield at Peugeot, for less air resistance and greater interior space. The hatchback of the postwar period was replaced by a notchback. Moreover, the company tied in with the pre-war tradition by introduction of the estate car (picture below).

The 403 established not only the reliability but also the conservatism of the brand. If you consider that the DS from Citroen came a little later, you can capture the entire spectrum of French car makers. Peugeot did not live badly thereof, while the company Citroen did not survive it in the end. Thus the factory has strenghtened the inner values of the car by offering a newly developed, economical diesel engine with swirl chamber. Here already the view was focused on the most important sales market besides Germany: North Africa.

The 403 was considered as very solid and reliable. A self-supporting body, there was in the 203 already. The most significant facelift was the radiator fan, the switches on at 84°C and off at 75°C thermostatically.

All versions counted, the cooperation between Peugeot and Pininfarina from 1951 originated far more than a million vehicles. From the Peugeot models 403, after all, more than 1.1 million were sold. It was the first million seller of this manufacturer. 07/16