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Found on a street in France. #peugeotD4 #peugeot #france #automobile #explore #classiccars #cars — RedlineArchive
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Found on a street in France. #peugeotD4 #peugeot #france #automobile #explore #classiccars #cars

Car
1950s1950youtube

The Peugeot D3 and its successor, the Peugeot D4 were forward control panel vans sold by Peugeot from October 1950 till 1965. The van originated as a front wheel drive light van produced by Chenard-Walcker, whose business Peugeot had acquired by 1950. The van, based on a wartime design,[2] was relaunched, soon after the Liberation, in June 1946 as the Chenard-Walcker CPV. In this form it was powered by a two-cylinder water-cooled two-stroke engine of just 1,021 cc. Power output of 26 hp was claimed. Accepting that even by the standards of the time, this level of power was insufficient, in 1947 the manufacturers switched to using the 1,133 cc engine of the Peugeot 202, and claimed power increased to 30 hp. The original two-cylinder engine had the merit of being very compact, and in order to accommodate the four-cylinder unit from Peugeot the nose of the van had to be extended, which compromised the clean frontal design of the original van and gave rise to frequent use of the «Nez de cochon» (“pig nose”) soubriquet. Providing the van’s engine to Chenard-Walcker at a time when the business was short of cash left Peugeot as a major creditor, and therefore at the front of the line of any potential purchasers of the business as it became apparent that Chenard-Walcker could not survive independently. Peugeot’s acquisition of the business led to the van’s rebranding as a Peugeot, although it was January 1951 before the Chenard et Walcker CP3 (as their CPV had by now become) was formally discontinued. Power was also increased late in 1950 when the engine from the (by now no longer produced) Peugeot 202 was replaced by the 1,290 cc engine of the recently introduced Peugeot 203. The D3 was redesignated as the D3A. Already the engine change enabled Peugeot to advertise the van’s power output as 32 hp, and during the next few years the vehicle benefited from further enhancements as the engine was developed both for the van and for what was at the time the company’s only passenger car. Power was increased to 40 hp in 1952, marked by the renaming of the van as the D3B. In February 1953, for drivers who did not like to work alone, a passenger seat was fitted. In 1955 Peugeot added a second model to their passenger car range, and the van acquired the 1,468 cc engine of the newly launched Peugeot 403 which even in the detuned state used for the commercial vehicle application provided 45 hp of power. Thus enhanced, in August 1955 the Peugeot D3 was replaced by the Peugeot D4. The new van was virtually indistinguishable from the old one from the outside, unless the customer had paid extra for the side-door which could now be specified for the load area. Also new on the D4 were two “baguette-style” over-riders on the front bumper [3] which enabled keen eyed observers to differentiate the two versions (until 1960, when the over-riders disappeared). In October 1959 the D4 (like the 403) became available with a diesel engine, which was a major innovation at the time. In 1960 the power from the petrol engine was increased to 55 hp and the van was redesignated D4B. 1960 also saw a rearrangement of the exterior lights with the fitting of flashing direction indicators front and back. Further changes during the final five years were minor in nature, one of the more noteworthy being a small reduction, in 1963, of the number of bars on the front grill. A range of body types existed including those of a basic panel van, a minibus, and ambulance and horse-box. A relatively popular horse-box conversion was undertaken by the Théault business at Avranches. Customers for the little minibus version included various French police forces[4] and the French post office which used the vans for transporting postmen.[5] The D4B was withdrawn in 1965 to be replaced by the Peugeot J7



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A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat 1-8 people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people rather than cargo. There are over 1.6 billion cars in use worldwide as of 2025. The French inventor Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built the first steam-powered road vehicle in 1769, while the Swiss inventor François Isaac de Rivaz designed and constructed the first internal combustion-powered automobile in 1808. The mode...

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Added 2 Apr 2026

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About This Footage

The recent upload to RedlineArchive is a fascinating piece of automotive history that offers a glimpse into the early days of post-war Europe's automobile industry. Captured on a street in France, this clip showcases a 1950 Peugeot D4, a forward control panel van that was part of a significant development in the evolution of commercial vehicles.

The Peugeot D4, and its predecessor the D3, were designed to meet the pressing need for efficient and compact transportation solutions following World War II. The vans' origins date back to 1946, when Chenard-Walcker produced the CPV, which was later acquired by Peugeot in 1950. This acquisition marked a significant turning point in the history of these vehicles, as Peugeot's influence led to improvements and rebranding.

One notable aspect of the D4 is its engine, which underwent several iterations during its lifespan. Initially powered by a two-cylinder water-cooled two-stroke engine producing 26 hp, the van's power output was increased in 1947 with the introduction of the Peugeot 202's four-cylinder unit. However, this change came at the cost of the original design's clean frontal aesthetic, earning it the nickname "Nez de cochon" or "pig nose."

The clip also highlights the D4's later development, as evidenced by its updated engine from the Peugeot 203. This swap not only increased power but also marked a significant redesign of the van's front end. The D3 was subsequently rebranded as the D3A, reflecting these changes.

This footage is particularly interesting for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a rare glimpse into the early days of post-war European automotive history. The Peugeot D4 and its predecessors represent an important chapter in the development of commercial vehicles, showcasing innovative designs and solutions that addressed the pressing needs of the time.

Furthermore, this clip serves as a testament to the significance of Peugeot's acquisition of Chenard-Walcker. By acquiring the business, Peugeot not only ensured its own financial stability but also gained access to valuable assets and expertise. This strategic move paved the way for the rebranding and redesign of the D3, ultimately leading to the creation of the D4.

The clip itself is a 54-second snippet, offering a brief yet captivating look at this piece of automotive history. The footage captures the van's distinctive design, with its characteristic "pig nose" front end, as it navigates through the streets of France. While the duration may be short, the significance and historical context make this clip an essential addition to RedlineArchive.

In conclusion, this upload is a valuable contribution to our archive, providing a unique window into the early days of post-war European automotive history. The Peugeot D4's development and evolution serve as a fascinating case study in innovation and adaptation, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships and design improvements in shaping the course of automotive history.

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