The Car for the French Middle Class 1957 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet Established Peugeot as a Global Brand Peugeot had been making cars for decades, generally small cars at low prices. Emboldened by the growing French middle class, in 1955 Peugeot management hired Battista Farina of the famous Pininfarina design studio to come up with the replacement for the 7-years old 203. Success was immediate as used 403's were selling for more than new ones. Between 1955 and 1966 1.2 million 403's were sold world-wide, Peugeot's first million seller and established the brand as a world-wide player. No Fins or Trim Compared to the American cars that roamed the roads in the late 1950's with their excessive chrome and fins plus wild 2 and 3-tone paint jobs, the Peugeot 403 was understated and elegant. Bigger than its predecessor it provided the comfort and spaciousness families wanted. And yes, the Peugeot 403 cabriolet (although his was a 1959) was the car that the rumpled Lt. Columbo drove in the TV series. Model Feature • Opening Hood • Opening Doors • Opening Trunk • Working Steering • Trunk Opens to Show Spare Tire • Interior Features Folding Bucket Seats • 58 Horsepower Engine Was Economical and Efficient • Precision Die-Cast Replica • 9.5 Inches Long • 1:18 Scale