[2] It featured in a full page newspaper advertisement placed by Peugeot in "L'Argus" on 10 October 1935,[3] and disappeared from the manufacturer's price list only three months later, at the start of 1936,[3] reflecting the need to dispose of an inventory backlog.

[3] The Peugeot 401 was the first car to be built (by coachbuilder Carrosserie Pourtout) as a coupé-convertible, with a retractable hardtop that could be moved and stowed under a reverse-hinged rear luggage lid.

The 401 was powered by an enlarged version of the engine from the smaller Peugeot 301 and slotted between that model and the range-topping 601.

Peugeot built an electric folding metal roof more than twenty years before Ford reimagined the concept in their (Galaxie) Skyliner Retractable.

[5] Pourtout and Paulin also built Eclipse coaches of the 301 and 601, on chassis provided by Paris Peugeot-dealer Darl'mat.