Peugeot 402 Overview: Cabrio Model Guide (1935–1942)

The Peugeot 402 is a front-wheel-drive cabrio built from 1935 to 1942, offered with 55–60 hp manual-gearbox versions. This overview covers its single generation and the version worth buying.

The Peugeot 402 is a cabrio produced from 1935 to 1942, with power outputs ranging from 55 to 60 hp. Every version pairs a manual gearbox with front-wheel drive. It suits collectors of pre-war French open-top cars and buyers who want a simple, mechanically straightforward classic rather than a modern daily driver.

Peugeot 402 generations

1 generation (1935–1942)

The first and only generation of the Peugeot 402 was built from 1935 to 1942 exclusively as a cabrio. Power spans 55 to 60 hp across two modifications, all fitted with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. The seven-year production window, from 1935 to 1942, covers the entire life of the model: no second generation followed, so the 1 generation defines the 402 range completely. The notable version is the Peugeot 402 2.1 MT, a 60 hp variant with a 2142 cc engine, which was the mass-produced choice of the range. The 5 hp gap between the weakest and strongest versions is small, so the two modifications differ far less from each other than versions of most model ranges do.

Which Peugeot 402 to buy

Any Peugeot 402 on the market today comes from the single 1935–1942 production run, so there is no newer generation to hold out for; the choice comes down to condition and completeness of a given car. The lineup's simplicity works in the buyer's favor: with only two modifications, one body style, one gearbox type, and one drive layout, comparing candidate cars is straightforward. The 2.1 MT is also the easier version to find, since it was the mass variant of the two.

Summary

The Peugeot 402 lineup is compact: one generation, one cabrio body, two modifications between 55 and 60 hp, all with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. The Peugeot 402 2.1 MT stands out as the version to seek — it delivers the range-topping 60 hp from a 2142 cc engine and was the mass-produced variant, which makes it the most representative example of the model. With production limited to 1935–1942, every surviving car is a pre-war machine, and the narrow range of versions means buyers can focus on the individual car rather than navigating a complex model hierarchy. Between the two modifications, the spread of 55 to 60 hp keeps the choice simple: any 402 delivers a similar driving character, and the 2.1 MT simply offers the most of it.