Peugeot 204 Overview: Generations, Specs and Which One to Buy
Overview of the Peugeot 204 cabrio (1965–1977): one generation, 39–57 hp, manual gearboxes and front-wheel drive, with buying advice on notable versions.
The Peugeot 204 is a cabrio produced from 1965 to 1977 with outputs ranging from 39 to 57 hp. All versions pair a manual gearbox with front-wheel drive. It suits buyers looking for a compact open-top classic with modest power and a simple mechanical layout, where driving is about relaxed cruising rather than outright pace.
Peugeot 204 generations
1 generation (1965–1977)
The single generation of the Peugeot 204 was built from 1965 to 1977 exclusively as a cabrio. Its engine range spans 39 to 57 hp across 6 modifications, and every one of them uses a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. Notable versions include the 1.1 MT (55 hp) with a 1098 cc engine, the top 1.1 MT (57 hp) with a 1100 cc engine, and the later 1.1 MT (54 hp) with a 1124 cc engine. All three notable versions were offered across the full 1965–1977 production run, and the spread between them is narrow: displacement grows from 1098 cc through 1100 cc to 1124 cc, while output stays within the 54–57 hp band. The gap from the 39 hp base version to the 57 hp flagship covers the entire range of the model, with no automatic gearbox or alternative drivetrain offered in any of the 6 modifications.
Which Peugeot 204 to buy
- 1.1 MT (55 hp) (1 generation): the mass-market choice, its 1098 cc engine delivers 55 hp through a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive.
- 1.1 MT (57 hp) (1 generation): the most powerful version of the range at 57 hp, matching the model's 57 hp ceiling from a 1100 cc engine.
- 1.1 MT (54 hp) (1 generation): the fresher variant with the largest displacement of the three at 1124 cc, rated at 54 hp.
When buying used, remember that even the youngest Peugeot 204 dates from 1977, so condition matters far more than the specific version. The single-generation lineup with only manual gearboxes and front-wheel drive keeps the choice simple: differences between versions come down to a few horsepower and small changes in displacement.
Which Peugeot 204 to avoid
The base of the range sits at 39 hp, well below the 54–57 hp of the notable 1.1 versions. Since every Peugeot 204 shares the same cabrio body, manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, a 39 hp car offers no configuration advantage over a 57 hp one — the weakest versions are dominated on the only number that separates them.