[5] A total of 1,214,121 of all types, including commercial models, were produced,[6] making it the first Peugeot to exceed one million in sales.

They became so familiar that the locals no longer noticed them, but attracted the Paris motoring press to a town usually of little interest to the national media.

When it was first shown, and until after 1958, the leading edge of car's nose carried an angular, forward-leaning chrome lion bonnet ornament – as Peugeot's trade mark.

The front lights were modified to conform to new standards and in 1957 parallel windscreen wipers were substituted for the original "cross hands" design featured at launch.

[9] This was also the year the semi-circular ring inside the lower half of the steering wheel operating the horn was replaced by a full circular horn-ring.

[11] Claimed advantages included an improvement in fuel consumption of between 5% and 10% according to average speed and the avoidance, under many conditions, of fan noise.

[11] For the Paris Motor Show in October 1957 the manufacturer offered, at extra cost, an electro-magnetic Jaeger automatic clutch, activated when changing gear.

A two-door cabriolet version of the car was also offered, with a luxurious interior featuring high quality leather upholstery.

In 1958 the 403 cabriolet cost 80% more than the entry level "berline grand luxe" 403 sedan, and presumably for this reason the convertible 403 was produced and sold only in very modest numbers.