French Frankenstein: 1966 Peugeot 404 Station Wagon – Sold?

December 21, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Spending a fair amount of time working in the High Desert town of Bakersfield, California in the early 1990s gave me an appreciation for the custom car scene there.  A mostly blue-collar workforce forged supporting the oil and natural gas drilling industry located there, there is an abundance of talented enthusiasts creating very cool custom rides based on the abundance of rust-free vintage junk cars to choose from.

A prime example is this 1966 Peugeot 404 Station Wagon originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Bakersfield, California.  For starters, the car’s body now rides on an air-suspended Chevrolet S10 pickup frame. The natural assumption with an S10 frame is the builder dropped either a small block Chevy or an LS V8 under the hood.  That assumption is turned on its head as the seller added a 1992 Nissan 240SX inline-four and automatic transmission instead.

Currently offered for $13,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls well below this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $19,100 for a stock example. The value is the fact all of the hard stuff appears to be completed with the refinishing of the car’s interior the last step in having this ride fully ready for cruising.

French automobile maker Peugeot offered its 404 as a large family car from 1960 to 1975.  Styled by Pininfarina, Peugeot offered the 404 in sedan, wagon, and even UTE versions initially. Later, Peugeot added a convertible in 1962 followed by a coupé in 1963. The 404 was fitted with a 1.6-Liter gas engine, topped with either a Solex carburetor or Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. Optional was a 1.9-Liter diesel engine.  Introduced at the Paris Motor Show as an option was the inclusion of a 3-speed ZF automatic transmission, similar to the unit already offered on certain BMW models, as an alternative to the standard column-mounted manual unit.

Popular as a taxicab, the 404 enjoyed a reputation for durability and value. The 404 was manufactured under license in various African countries until 1991 (in Kenya) and was manufactured in Argentina by Safrar/Sevel in El Palomar, in Québec, Canada at the St-Bruno-de-Montarville SOMA Ltd. plant and in Chile by Automotores Franco Chilena S.A. in Los Andes.  Peugeot’s French production run of 1,847,568 404s ended in 1975. A total of 2,885,374 units had been produced worldwide at the end of production.

We came across this vintage British commercial for the 1966 Peugeot 404 lineup on YouTube:

If you dare to be different and like the look of a slammed vintage station wagon, this Frankenstein combination of Peugeot, Chevrolet Truck, and Nissan power train might be for you.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1966 Peugeot Wagon, 1992 Nissan 240sx motor, Auto trans, 17” & 18″OG wire Wheels with new tires, S10 chassis on air ride,
Nice Addictive Audio systems amps & spubs/speakers, needs interior Finished, Original paint cleared over, runs well. Also have spare parts wagon. $13,500 obo… Cash Only in Person! don’t need help with Selling. No scammer’s.“

Show or go: what would you do with this 1966 Peugeot 404 Street Machine?  Comment below and let us know!