The 204 used a front-wheel drive layout and was launched on 20 April 1965[3] with a single overhead cam 1130 cc petrol engine (the maximum allowed for the 6CV 'car tax' class in France).

Until the early 1980s when Volkswagen started heavy promotion of their diesel-engined Golf/Rabbit, cars too small to be used as taxis were generally not offered with diesel engines to European customers.

The resulting less aggressive look has been seen as a 'more European' moving away from a tendency to follow US styling trends that had been apparent in new car launches during the preceding two decades.

The options list was not extensive but, as with the larger Peugeot saloons, it was possible to specify a sliding steel panel sunroof.

At launch only the four-door saloon version was offered, but the five-door 'break' station wagon (estate) came along less than six months later in the Autumn of 1965.

1969 saw the Autumn launch of the Peugeot 304 which was essentially a 204 with a slightly larger engine, a restyled front end and, in the case of the saloon version, a substantially increased rear overhang allowing greater luggage space.

The 204 range was correspondingly pruned: the 204 coupé and cabriolet received the dashboard of the new 304 in 1969 only to be withdrawn in 1970, replaced by similarly bodied 304 equivalents.

The test car was priced by Peugeot in Britain at £903 including taxes: a British competitor, the Triumph 1300 was retailing for £835.

The journal commended the car for lively performance, positive accurate steering, fade free brakes, good fuel economy and light controls.

Citroën did not have any model in similar size to Peugeot 204, slotting in between its smaller Ami and larger DS until the introduction of GS in 1970.

The numerous press leaks following up to the official introduction led to the enthusiastic orders sight unseen of 5,000.

In 1982 the 205 was launched as "204 successor" in market position and size, though the 205 was a smaller, hatchback car more akin to the earlier 104.

In June 1973, the Peugeot 204 Proto Diesel set eight endurance speed records in Category A3, Group 3.

The record beating runs took place at the autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, using drivers including Jean Todt and Hannu Mikkola.