MEET THE OWNER – PAUL THOMPSON AND HIS PEUGEOT 304 CABRIOLET

In the early 1970s, Paul Thompson was an apprentice at a Peugeot dealer, and one of the regular customers drove a 304 Cabriolet. “I sat in it at dinner time, and that’s when I promised myself I’d get one, one day - but on £14 a week I thought it would have to stay a dream.” Many years later, that dream came true in the form of a magnificent 1972 example.

The 304 debuted in September 1969 and was essentially the 204 formula with a SOHC 1.3-litre engine, a larger boot and a 504-style grille. The Cabriolet followed in 1970 and, two years later, Peugeot facelifted the open 304 as the 304S, with revised frontal treatment, headrests, a rev counter and a twin carburettor power plant. Production ceased in 1975, five years before Peugeot phased out the 304 in favour of the 305.

In France, the Cabriolet gave dealers a valuable marketing tool as there was no equivalent version of the Citroën GS, Renault 12 or Simca 1100. Across the Channel, even the 304 saloon and estate always seemed to have a faintly upmarket air – “an excellent product, exactly in the Peugeot tradition” reported Car in 1976.

As for the drophead, just 836 RHD models found a home, and Paul’s 304 is an especially rare example of the ‘Pre-S’ Cabriolet - just 16 of which remain on the road. He remarks that they were typically a second car for an affluent household, for a 1973-model 304S cost £1,637.65 - a considerable sum by the standards of the day

Mr. Thompson heard about his Cabriolet when it offered for sale at a Leamington Spa warehouse. He said: “It was pushed out when they were busy and pushed back in again. In the end, it got left outside and took a turn for the worse.” He previously owned a 304S which he regretted selling and sought another. He admits: “When this pre-S turned up in a sorry state, I felt like I won the lottery and was having it at any cost and set about the long road to its recovery.”

Naturally, such a Peugeot never fails to attract attention. “We came out of Morrisons in Heywood one day to find a bit of a crowd around it. Everyone asks, “didn’t Columbo have one?” (Answer – no, that was the 403) or says “I’ve never seen a convertible one before” or “my dad had a saloon one”. We also got stopped by the police just so they could take photos.” One day the Peugeot was hailed by a vicar: “He told us to follow him home where he gave us the nicest picnic basket, so I gave him a donation to his church.”

The 304 Cabriolet has frequently appeared at classic car shows where it often gains a ‘Second Prize’. “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride”, remarks Paul. Surely a First Prize cannot be too long in the offing for a Peugeot of such panache? Or, as the writer John Simister once called it – ‘a forgotten gem’.

With thanks to: Paul Thompson