Lot 111: 1949 Peugeot 202 Pick-Up

1949 Peugeot 202 Pick-UpRegistration Number: JVS 446 Chassis Number: 746621Before building motor cars Peugeot was a manufacturer in many diverse areas, ranging from umbrella frames and coffee mills to watch springs and even whalebone corsets; bicycles followed and by 1889 the first car, a steam driven three wheeler, was added to the company portfolio. By 1900 Peugeot - the oldest surviving car manufacturer after Daimler-Benz - had built its 1,000th car while between 1902 and 1914 there were a staggering 83 different models of between 785cc and 7.6 litres, the latter powering Georges Boillot to first place in the 1912 French Grand Prix. Following World War One Peugeot built numerous models at opposite ends of the price spectrum but by the late 1920s a new, low priced model was needed. The result was the 201, a conventional saloon powered by a 1,122cc four cylinder engine with coil ignition, mated to a three-speed crash gearbox, while suspension was by transverse leaf at the front and quarter-elliptic springs at the rear. Coupé, roadster, cabriolet and van versions soon followed; for 1932 independent front suspension was standard and by 1934 so was synchromesh for the gearbox. A total of 142,309 of all 201 models were built before it was superceded by the 202 in October 1938. Carrying dramatically styled and streamlined coachwork featuring an airflow radiator grille behind which were housed the headlights, a design shared by the larger 402 and 302 models, the 202 otherwise was mechanically similar to its predecessor. Following the liberation of France in 1944, production of the 202 recommenced in early 1945 and this highly popular Peugeot remained available until the end of the decade when it was replaced by the unitary construction 203. First in service at a vineyard in the south of France, this delightful pick-up model was imported to Great Britain in 1976. After being acquired by a Cheshire-based Peugeot dealer in 1985, it was stripped to the chassis prior to a full restoration and subsequently took part in the opening of the Macclesfield Bypass in 1992. Two Peugeot dealerships later owned the 202 before it passed to a third such dealer, Rangers Corner Garage, the name of which it still bears having been used as a display vehicle. Finished in green with black interior, and having undergone a full overhaul of the braking system in June this year, this 202 pick-up, which has a MoT test certificate valid until November 2007, is described by the vendor as being in very good condition. It comes with a large history file and various magazine articles in which this charming Peugeot is featured.Estimate£3,000-£5,000