Anyone here ever owned or driven an 03?

[carnut1100]

It seems terrible that the forum devoted to 03 series Pugs should be so empty. They are fantastic cars.
I have heard that 03s were very scarce in Britain, so I was wondering if any of you guys had ever owned or driven one?
My first car was the 403B which I still own. It is very tired and scruffy but still goes ok. I didn't even realise the front suspension bushed were shot until I had to take a front wheel off, as the steering was still pretty good. I got the shock of my life when I saw one of the main bushed had no rubber left in it, just the metal sleeves!

[mikem]

You're correct, 03s do seem to be very thin on the ground over here, but I was lucky enough to buy a 203 last April (ebay). Not that I've driven it yet, but some day maybe.............. See photo, general board, members rides, and you'll see why running about in Mimi (why do we give them names)? is something that won't be happening this week. But some day maybe........ I remember as a kid a guy who lived near us had a 403, but my 203 is the only one I've ever seen in the flesh. Come to think of it, I'd never heard of them before spotting this one for sale. Anyway Mimi and I have plans. Some day maybe..........

[504gld]

I was sorting out some stuff the other day, and found a 403B / 403U handbook I had forgotton about.

Inside is a garage sheet showing reg. BMF354F, Peugeot. Also 74642 miles. The work was, remove head - Fit Pistons - Fit big end shells - Fit Head - Fit Engine.

Parts - 4 Pistons, 1 set of bearing shells, 1 Sump set, and 1 head set.

There is no date but from the style of the print I would guess its 1970s.

The carburettor pages are rather oily!

Perhaps Detective Columbo had more luck with his cabriolet model!

[carnut1100]

Well, I own one 403, I have stripped one wreck for spares, I know where there are at least 3 wrecks, and a 203 pickip and a saloon, and where there were at least 4 or 5 that were taken to the tip.
Also the other day I was talking to a fellow student at TAFE ( technical college) and he said that he had 3 403s and a 404, as well as 15 Renault 12s.

03s in running order are scarce here, but there are a lot of scruffy ones behind sheds etc.

[Admin]

Look out for the 403 register list in the upcoming issue of the club mag. A full list will soon be available in pdf format for people to download.

Carnut, have you contacted our 403 registrar, Alastair Inglis (membership followed by @clubpeugeotuk.org. He has a comprehensive list of 403's of all type both in and out of the club and would be delighted to add yours to his database.

[carnut1100]

No, but now I know of it, I will take down the chassis number and email him. does he run a 404 register too?

[nigelbickle]

Hi.Newbie here -just joined once I'd collected my French 403 pickup. Not yet legal -but working on it!

[oldpug]

I started my Peugeot career from the boot of a 403 in the late 60`s.It never let me down,but the problem was rust,the same with all Peugeot`s in those days.If I went round a corner too fast some of the tools in the boot would fly through the holes in the rear wheel arches!!! The other good thing with these old Pugs was the loverly comfy seats,like big arm chairs.

[briandamaged]

This still belongs to my father.

Apologies for the pic, it's a digital pic of a 35mm photo. Taken in 1989 on the Norwich Union RAC Classic. Car still looks as good as that but has been dry-stored now for a fair few years.

It's a '61 403B and bone-stock with the exception of Rover P6 front seats as the originals were absolutely knackered.

I've had the considerable pleasure of driving it many times as he's owned it for 26 years now....I just wish he'd recomission it so that I can drive it again!!

[Admin]

ace 403! There are some really nice 403's in the club. In some way the exude that fifties gallic charm.

[columbo]

My fathers first car was a 403 before I was born. He then had a 404 that i grew up with and later a 504 that I inhereted and still have.

Here are a few bumps in a famous 403 cabriolet;

www.columbo100.freeuk.com/movies/crash.ram

Also if your read about "The Car" there are some funny snippets from various series on www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/

Needless to say I'm a fan.