In the early 1970s, the French government realized that their fleet of military Hotchkiss M-201s was becoming outdated. (An understatement, as the Hotchkiss M-201 was a licensed version of a pre-WWII Jeep.) They needed a fleet of new, unarmored military 4x4s.
Peugeot wanted in on the chance to build 15,000 vehicles for the French army, but had no suitable chassis and body of their own. A call was made to Geländefahrzeuggesellschaft mbH (a company jointly owned by Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch) and the P4 was born.
The P4 is essentially a Mercedes Geländewagen (G-Wagon) with Peugeot running gear and a few minor visual differences. Daimler-Benz supplied the chassis, body, transfer case, axles and suspension. Peugeot supplied the engine, transmission and wiring. The assembly was done in Peugeot's Sochaux factory.The engines, both gas and diesel, came from the Peugeot 504. The transmission is straight from the Peugeot 604 (This same transmission was used by AMC in early Jeep Cherokees.)
This P4 most likely has a newer engine in it, as I'm fairly certain the 504 never came with a 2.2 liter version of the XN8 engine. A 2.2 liter Peugeot engine would likely be from a later 505. (504 / P4 experts, feel free to correct me here.)
A few P4s were built for civilian consumption, but this isn't one of them. I suspect that on the road the ride and handling aren't great, but it probably goes through and over anything off road.
This P4 is in great condition, with no rust or defects that I can see. (These came with a big Peugeot lion on the grill, which is missing from this one.) It has new Michelin XL's, a new clutch, shocks, and brake pads. It comes with a lot of spare parts and "30lbs of technical manuals". The seller provides a link to a Photobucket album where you can find 40 pictures of this vehicle. (Click here to go directly to the photo album.- Check out the picture of the steering wheel. Military vehicles have no frills and it looks like something from a 1930s car!)
Located in Holly Hill, FL, click here to see the Craigslist ad.A huge thanks to JaCG reader, Blair, for sending me this link!
