Peugeot

In the early 19th century there was a fashion among aristocratic ladies to wear crinolines, but the dresses were supported on expensive whalebone frames. The Peugeot family made wire frames in their metal works, enabling large numbers of less wealthy ladies to follow the fashion. When that fashion faded, Peugeot steel rods were used for umbrella spokes, then for bicycle wheels, in the 19th century cycling craze. But why just sell the rods? So Peugeot made the wheels. Then, why just sell the wheels? So Peugeot made their own bicycles from 1882. Cars, or rather quadricycles, were first made in 1890. 153 different Peugeot 'Types' had been made by 1914. The B?b? was designed by Bugatti, and by 1929 the Type sequence had reached 190. Then a new series of cars started, the 201, 301, 401, 601 and 801. In time successors followed, such as the 402 and 802. In wartime the VLV electric car was made. rnIn 1947 Peugeot launched the 203, with its sloping tail, followed in 1955 by the three-box Peugeot 403 saloon, estate car, and cabriolet. Peugeot cars gained a worldwide reputation for sturdiness and reliability, enhanced by rally and racing successes. In 1960 the Peugeot 404 saloon was launched, based on the 403, but with updated looks in Pininfarina's then-current be-finned style. In 1965 Peugeot added a smaller car, the 1130cc Peugeot 204. The 1960s saw the range extended with the 504, 304 and 104. In the 1970s and 1980s the 604, 305, P4 (4x4), 505, 309 and 205 filled the range. The 405, 605, 106, 306, 806 (suv) dominated the 1990s. The 406, Partner, 206, 607, 307, 807, 907 1007, 407, 107, 207, 4007 and carried the range into the 21st century. from 2007 the '08' range appeared; 308, 3008, 508, 5008, 908, 108, 208, 2008, plus the RCZ, Partner and Ion.