Published on: Jan 20, 2016 @ 19:50 Originally Published in: 2015 (old website) (C) Jay Auger - website owner & author Notice: Any form of duplication methods (including but not limited to copy/paste of text and screen capture) of the website's content is strictly forbidden.
INTRODUCTION
The Peugeot 504 has been a strong presence in African countries since the early 1970s and was actually still produced on that continent until 2005 due to its cheap price and high level of ruggedness. It might be a surprise to many to learn that its pickup / pick-up variant was homologated and raced during the Group B period.
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HISTORY
The 504 coupé V6 model was homologated as a Group 3/4 car on July 1st 1975 and has been a mainstay of African endurance “safari” type events ever since its introduction. It enjoyed so much success that it was quickly nicknamed “The Queen of Africa”. When the 1982 Group B regulations took effect, per the FISA transition and stability rules, the 504 Coupé V6 was transferred into Group B (homologation #3069).
Peugeot would subsequently homologate the 504 model in its pickup variant on December 1st 1982 and the four-door TN variant on August 1st 1983. It is notable to mention that Group A & N had a minimum interior space requirement and if that figure wasn’t met the car was automatically transferred into Group B. Hence this made the massively produced Peugeot 504 Pickup not eligible to be homologated in Group A.
Contrary to some beliefs, the main 504 Pickup model used for Group B homologation actually featured the top of the line European 1971 cc 4-cylinder petrol engine, including another batch with its base 1796 cc brethren as a Variant Option (VO), as opposed to the V6 version found in the famous Coupé competitor. This made many of the early entry and results sheets of the period to badly identify the Pickups as “V6” since the local officials were too accustomed to writing down the 504 in its Coupé V6 variant. In reality, this meant that the 504 Pickup was in the B/11 class for engines under 2000 cc and could favourably compete against similar low-powered cars.
Another myth wrongly spread around by rally fans of the period is that the Group B 504 Pickups were four-wheel drive (4WD), a belief most likely fuelled by the normal characteristics of modern pickup trucks and rally cars. In fact, the FIA homologation papers clearly show that the Group B Pickups were rear-wheel drive (2WD/RWD) – a system that is more lightweight, providing better fuel mileage and less likely to break down under hard and prolonged use such as in endurance rallies.
In the Group B era, the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar included two African endurance venues; the Kenya “Safari” Rally and the Côte d’Ivoire Rally. The humble-appearing 504 Pickup would theoretically stand no chance against the line up of the famed Group B supercars. However, endurance rallies often carry challenges and obstacles that sheer speed cannot overcome and this is where the 504 Pickup had its chance to shine.
In its first WRC outing, a 504 pickup finished in 8th place at the 1983 Safari Rally in the hands of Johnny Hellier and John Hope. The same duo would bring the car in 15th place at the 1984 edition. The best ever WRC finish for the 504 pickup would be a 5th position at the 1984 Côte d’Ivoire Rally with David Horsey and David Williamson (albeit there were only 12 entries).
It is note to mention that Peugeot Talbot Sport took advantage of the “evolution” (ET) regulations to produce 20 upgraded units in April of 1984. These special racing pickups featured mainly engine upgrades made to the 1971 cc unit such as an improved cylinder head with larger valves, intake manifold and better-flowing 40 DCOE carburettors good for a net rating of 170 BHP. The extra African heat was dissipated through a larger capacity radiator. Other components were beefed up such as the clutch, oil pump and quite obviously the suspension. A shorter differential ratio was also offered along with different fuel tank configurations and composite side and rear screens.
Although it was a far cry from the Peugeot 205 T16 supercar, speed and horsepower wasn’t everything when it came to endurance rallies: the 504 Pickup Evolution is the embodiment of that statement by becoming the 1984 African Rally champion in the capable hands of David Horsey and David Williamson.
RALLY CAR SPECIFICATIONS (pickup / evolution)
| Group/Class | B/11 | Homologation number: |
| Years active (WRC) | 1984 | Homologation B-228
Homologation B-247
|
| Engine | ||
| Type | I-4, UHC 8v, gas | front, longitudinal, 45° right incline |
| Displacement | 1971 cc | WRC = 1971 cc |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 :1 | |
| Output power – torque | 170 HP @ 6,500 rpm | 200 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Materials | block: iron | cylinder head: aluminium |
| Aspiration |
|
|
| Ignition | N/A | |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled | 60% increased capacity over standard model |
| Lubrication system | Wet sump | High-pressure pump |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | rear-wheel drive | 4-speed manual or BA7/5 5-speed manual gearbox |
| Gearbox ratios |
|
|
| Differential ratios |
|
limited-slip rear differential |
| Clutch | Single copper clutch and heavy duty pressure plate, hydraulic | |
| Chassis-body | ||
| Type | Peugeot 504 steel monocoque chassis with roll cage, seam weld, Perspex windows | |
| Front suspension | McPherson type struts, coil springs, not adjustable | |
| Rear suspension | Live axle, leaf spring type with single shocks | |
| Steering system | rack and pinion, no assist | N/A |
| Brakes |
|
hydraulic, double-circuit with servo |
| Dimensions | ||
| length: 4754 mm (187.2 in) | width: 1710 mm (67.3 in) | height: 1460 mm (57.5 in) |
| wheelbase: 3000 mm (118.1 in) | front track: N/A | rear track: N/A |
| Rims – tires |
|
|
| Dry/Unladen Weight | 1160 kg (2560 lb) | |
| Weight/power | 6.8 kg/HP (15.0 lb/HP) | |
| Fuel tank | 64 litres / 2 x 70 litres | |
HOMOLOGATION / PRODUCTION VERSION (summary)
The main 504 Pickup model used for Group B homologation featured the top of the line European 1971 cc 4-cylinder petrol engine, as opposed to the V6 version, and were only rear-wheel drive, not 4WD. 250 units of this specification were produced between January 1st and June 1st 1982. Interestingly, 210 units with the base 1796 cc 4-cylinder engine were also produced between January 1st and October 31st 1982 as a variant option (VO) for use in Kenya and Zambia. Hence a total of 460 road units were produced to homologate the 504 Pickup into Group B, with homologation duly granted on December 1st 1982. Lastly, 20 “evolution” (ET) units were produced by Peugeot Talbot Sport in April of 1984, meaning that the 504 Pickup model with the 1971 cc engine had to be permanently removed from production.
Otherwise, the Peugeot 504 model has been produced from 1968 to 2005 with a total of 3.7 million units and continues to be a familiar sight in many African countries to this very day. The 504 model lineup included; sedan, coupe, convertible, wagon, and utility “pickup”. As such these models had various specifications over their long production history. Please CLICK HERE to see them.
ROAD CAR SPECIFICATIONS (homologation pickup)
| Class | Utility | Homologation number: |
| Production (Group B) |
|
Homologation B-228
Homologation B-247 (Saloon TN)
|
| Engine | ||
| Type | I-4, UHC 8v, gas | front, longitudinal, 45° right incline |
| Displacement |
|
|
| Compression ratio |
|
|
| Output power – torque |
|
|
| Materials | block: iron | cylinder head: aluminium |
| Aspiration |
|
|
| Ignition | N/A | |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled | – |
| Lubrication system | Wet sump | – |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | rear-wheel drive | 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual gearbox |
| Gearbox ratios |
|
|
| Differential ratios | Final : 4.875 | limited-slip rear differential |
| Clutch | Single plate clutch, hydraulic | |
| Chassis-body | ||
| Type | Peugeot 504 steel monocoque chassis, steel panels, glass windows | |
| Front suspension | McPherson type struts, coil springs | |
| Rear suspension | Live axle, leaf spring type with single shocks | |
| Steering system | rack and pinion, no assist | N/A |
| Brakes |
|
hydraulic, double-circuit with servo |
| Dimensions | ||
| length: 4754 mm (187.2 in) | width: 1710 mm (67.3 in) | height: 1460 mm (57.5 in) |
| wheelbase: 3000 mm (118.1 in) | front track: N/A | rear track: N/A |
| Rims – tires |
|
|
| Dry/Unladen Weight | 1160 kg (2560 lb) | |
| Weight/power |
|
|
| Fuel tank | 64 litres | |
VIDEOS
The 504 pickup can be seen in action at the 6:50 mark in the following video:
REFERENCES
(free delivery worldwide!)
AWIN Affiliates Program – by purchasing books with the links provided here you are also helping to support the Rally Group B Shrine!*
Safari Rally: 50 Years of the Toughest Rally in the World (English + German)
(C) Article by Jay Auger – website owner, main author & chief editor
- Images & videos are the property of their original owners
- All homologation papers are the property of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA): SOURCE
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DISCLAIMER / LEGAL NOTICES
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