The 504 was noted for its robust body structure, long suspension travel, high ground clearance, large wheels and torque tube driveshaft – enclosed in a rigid tube attached at each end to the gearbox housing and differential casing, relieving drivetrain torque reactions.

The 504 ultimately achieved widespread popularity in far-flung rough-terrain countries – including Latin America and much of Africa.

"[11] Marketed as Peugeot's flagship saloon car, the 504 made its public debut on 12 September 1968 at the Paris Salon.

The press launch which had been scheduled for June 1968 was at the last minute deferred by three months, and production got off to a similarly delayed start because of the political and industrial disruption which exploded across France in May 1968.

A column-mounted four-speed manual transmission was standard; a three-speed ZF 3HP12 automatic became available with the carburetted engine beginning in February 1969.

[14] The 504 was elected European Car of the Year in 1969, praised for its styling, quality, chassis, ride, visibility, strong engine and refinement.

At the 1970 Paris Salon a four-cylinder 2112 cc diesel engine rated at 48 kW (65 PS; 64 hp) was introduced.

[17] The Break and Familiale both received the 2-liter petrol engine or 2.1 diesel as per the saloon, but the utilitarian "Commerciale" brought back the 1.8-litre four, now tuned down to 54 kW (73 PS; 72 hp).

[19] Unlike the regular wagons, the SL received metallic paint, plusher upholstery, and various other additional equipment.

[18] During the year, fuel injected 504 saloons changed to a floor-mounted shifter on cars equipped with the manual transmission as well.

[18] The L saloons can be recognized by the missing bumper overriders and inside by the simpler dashboard with horizontal instrument cluster.

The most noticeable change was the new, more flush fitting doorhandles, and new wheels with rectangular rather than oval openings on the GL and TI models.

At the 1974 October Motor Show Peugeot presented a more powerful engine for the 504 coupé and cabriolet, now fitted with a "PRV" 2664 cc V6 unit developed in collaboration with Renault and Volvo.

[22] Maximum output for the 504 coupé and cabriolet fitted with this new V6 engine was given as 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp), supporting a top speed of 186 km/h (116 mph).

[22] Following the launch of the six-cylinder cars, the four-cylinder versions of the coupé and cabriolet 504s were delisted: they returned to the showrooms in 1978 in response, it was reported, to customer demand.

The old 1.9-liter diesel was discontinued, and the basic 504 saloons dropped the "L" designation, gaining a black plastic dash and the steering wheel from the GL/TI in the process.

The V6 coupé gained a five-speed manual transmission and fuel injection for 106 kW (144 PS; 142 hp), while the V6 cabriolet was discontinued after only 970 examples had been built in three years.

Originally very similar to European specified models, the 504 had to be gradually modified to meet the federal emissions and safety standards.

In 1974, the US-spec carburetted 2-litre engine produced 82 hp (61 kW; 83 PS) at 5200 rpm with a low 7.6:1 compression ratio.

[27] Manufacturing continued in Kenya until 2004, and Nigeria until 2006, using the Peugeot knock down kits, which meant that versions of the 504 had been in production in various parts of the world for a total of 38 years.

[29] In China, the 504 was produced in pickup form, with a four-door crew cab, a live rear axle, on an extended estate platform.

In 1980 Sevel Argentina took over production in El Palomar near Buenos Aires, in sedan, estate (1980 and 1981 only),[31] and pickup forms.

The pickup was manufactured in single and double cab with payload of over 1 tonne (1300 kg ) from 1983 to 1997, and exported mainly to bordering countries.

[33] The French company Dangel also produced Peugeot approved four-wheel drive Break (estate/station wagon) and pickup models.

The considerable work involved in converting the 504's monocoque body into a load-carrying version had taken a full decade.

On introduction, it was available with very basic spec and single round headlights, fitted in plastic frames shaped like the 504's "cat's eyes."

For 1982 the better equipped 504 Pickup GR was added, these received some chrome touches and luxuries such as a clock and door-mounted armrests.

The car was rear-wheel drive, with longitudinally mounted engines, canted over to bring a lower bonnet line to the styling.

In 1976, the Government of Sri Lanka purchased a large number of Peugeot 504s for use of dignitaries attending the Fifth Non-Aligned Movement summit in Colombo.

[39] The political significance of the car being a 504 is that it was used as a working-class status symbol to draw electoral support from the less well-off during the 2005 presidential campaign.