Photos and captions by Jonathan Sharp
In Part One and Part Two of the Peugeot Museum, Jonathan Sharp took us through the production car history of the long lived French automaker Peugeot. While it was not totally complete, it offered a good view of why this collection is both important and impressive.
This week, we wrap up Jonathan Sharp’s French excursion to Peugeot with odds and ends, trophies, rally cars, race cars, and a work called art that only the French can explain. For a conservative manufacturer, we are reminded that Peugeot has been enormously successful in many branches of racing and rallying. So, if, as Sharp suggests, you have some extra time while visiting the old Schlumpf museum, take in the Peugeot Adventure. Here is the website: http://www.museepeugeot.com/en/home.html
This Targa Florio trophy has an interesting history but too long to relate here. Suffice to say that in 1907 on April 29th, Jules Goux won the Voiturette single cylinder race with a Lion Peugeot. But look at this trophy compared to the 1985-86 World Rally Championship affairs.
Another magnificent trophy from 1907 was The Press Cup, which was to somehow be the Criterium de France final, and took place August 6, 1907 on the circuit Lisieux in five laps and a total distance of 392.5 km. This test was in public view, and a great success. The winner was Renaux, on a Peugeot fitted with Continental tires and removable rims.
In 1937 Peugeot entered 3 cars in the Le Mans 24 hour race. Using a 402 chassis but fitted with a modified 302 mode engine, 73 bhp rather than 55 bhp, the 302 Special Sport was capable of 170km/h on the Hunaudieres straight. The three cars entered finished with car number 24 finishing in 8th. In 1938 renamed 402 Darl Mart three cars were entered. Fitted with an uprated 85 bhp engine car 24, driven by Charles De Cortanze, one finished first in the 2 liter class and 5th overall.
Peugeot built its reputation for reliability in the grueling arena of the East African Safari, winning in 1963, 1966, 1967 and again 1968. They also won the Argentinian Grand Prix (Rally) in 1963 and 1965. This 96 bhp 1618cc 404 Rallye dates from the 1967 season.
The Peugeot importer for East Africa Marshalls competed in several African rallies between 1966 and 1968 with a 204 Peugeot; they were rewarded with a win in the 1.1L to 1.3L class of the 1967 East African Safari Rally and a 1st overall in the 1000 km Tanganyika rally the same year.
In 1975 the Aseptogyl Female team rally team and their driver Marianna Hoepfner, in this 304, came first in class at the Ronde de La Giraglia in Corsica and also the Women’s cup at the Ronde Limousine. Victory in the French Group 2 Championship for Women followed in 1976.
This 205T16 Evolution 1, in the hands of Ari Vatanen won the 1984 1000 Lakes rally. 205T16s then went on to win the next two rallies in San Remo in Italy and Great Britain. The T16s went on to win the World Rally Championship in 1985 and 1986.
Following the ban on Group B rallying Peugeot set about developing the 205T16 to compete in Grand Raid Races. In 1987 this vehicle, driven by Ari Vatanen and Bernard Giroux won the Paris Alger Dakar raid.
In 1987 Peuegot entered three 520 bhp 405s in the Pikes Peak Hill climb finishing 2nd behind an Audi. Better luck followed in 1988 with victory going to Ari Vatanen and in 1989 to Bobby Unser. Type “Climb Dance” into YouTube and enjoy.
If asked to name a multi-World Rally Championship the Lancia Delta Intergrale would be the first car to spring to my mind. However, the 206WRC won the manufactures championship in 2000, 2001 and also 2002. Marcus Gronholm from Finland also won the drivers’ championship in 2000 and 2002. The example shown here, in the hands of Gillies Panizzi won the Corsica rally in 2000, fitted with four wheel drive and a turbocharged 4 cylinder 1998cc engine producing 300 BHP.
The 905 Evolution 1.7 Le Mans winner from 1992, driven by Derek Warwick, Yannick Dalmas and Mark Blundell. Development of the 905 started in 1988. Wins started in 1991 with three victories and the Le Mans victory was followed by second place in 1993 by this car. Power comes from a 670bhp 3500cc V10 engine giving the 905 a top speed of 370 KM/H.
A more detailed shot of the 670 BHP V10 3449cc 905 Evolution 1.7 engine.
The 1997 F1 season was the third year that the Jordan F1 team had run Peugeot engines. The Jordan 197 was fitted with the third version of the Peugeot 2998cc V10 engine, the A14, which producing 750 BHP. Following a disappointing season in 1996 the 197, in the hands of Giancarlo Fisichella finished on the podium twice with a second at the Belgium Grand Prix, and third in the Canadian Grand Prix. The second 197 was driven by the then rookie driver Ralf Schumacher. The team finished the season in 5th place in the constructors championship.
908 HDi FAP LMP1 car nine shown here is the winner of the 2009 Le Mans 24 hour race in the hands of David Brabham, Marc Gene and Alexander Wurz. 4 908s were entered for the 2009 race, 3 works cars and a 2008 model for the Pescarolo team. Peuegeot team car number 8 finished second. The third works car number 7 was 6th and the Pescarolo car 8th. The 908 won 19 of the 28 races entered.
This compression sculpture was made using the remains of two Turbo 16s which suffered badly having run out of road in Argentina. Presented by Jean Todt to Cesar (the master artist in compression sculpture!) they are an integral part of Cesar’s work! And no I do not understand it either.
Not mentioned were the winning Peugeot 504 Rally Cars in Africa.
1971 3rd Rallye Cote d’Ivoire – Peugeot 504
1974 6th Rallye Cote d’Ivoire – Peugeot 504
1975 7th Rallye Cote d’Ivoire – Peugeot 504
1976 8th Rallye Cote d’Ivoire – Peugeot 504 V6 Coupe
1978 10th Rallye Cote d’Ivoire – Peugeot 504 V6 Coupe
1975 23rd East Africa Safari – Peugeot 504
1978 26th East Africa Safari – Peugeot 504 V6 Coupe
Strangely enough on the day I visited no 504 rally cars were on show in the museum hence no photo. I did think it was very strange though.