1948 Peugeot 202 Pick-up

This Peugeot 202 U pick-up was built towards the end of production in early 1948 and first registered at the end of June - serving as a postal vehicle in Livron, near Pau in south-west France.

In May 1978, it was imported into The Netherlands, passing through several owners before eventually beginning a thorough restoration in 2006, with the objective to retain as much originality as was possible. Consequently many parts are still original and the rear body was remade appropriately in French oak.

The current owner - our vendor from Belgium - has a collection of cars and bought the pick-up on impulse given how fabulous it looked and how it was so very different from the other vehicles he had.

This difference is ultimately why it is being sold - his collection focuses on sporting and luxury British cars and a utilitarian French pick-up truck really doesn’t qualify, however beautiful it looks.

Aside from the wooden rear frame, load bed and sides, it differs from the saloon cars (and earlier pick-ups) by also having wooden cab doors. We understand that the factory only made wooden doors during one year of production when there was a shortage of steel.

The front cab is beautifully finished in a deep red with contrasting black wheel arches and appears in a very good condition with few blemishes and no damage that we could see.

Here and there, a previous owner has affixed retro-look motoring stickers and decals to both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. As they have been distressed or aged, they blend in with the look and character of the pick-up.

Despite this being a commercial vehicle, it is not without a few period styling touches, like the Peugeot lion mascot on top of the bonnet, the 202 U badge on the grille, the streamlined and scalloped running lights on the fenders and the semaphore “trafficator” turn indicators that sprout from either side.

Another Peugeot characteristic from this era is the siting of the headlamps centrally behind the front grille. Although useful, the wing mirror looks like a more modern item. We think that replacing it with an older part, if you could find a suitable one, would enhance the overall look.

The rear of the pick-up appears to have been made entirely of French oak, stained and varnished to provide a very strong rear frame, load bed and drop sides - as well as the rear wall of the cab.

The 202 sits on 19-inch pressed steel wheels, which are painted black and present very well. They are fitted with Firestone tyres dating from 2008 - probably around the time that the restoration was completed.

Open the rear-hinged “suicide” doors - which fold back flat against the rear of the pick-up - and you see a suitably spartan interior, as you’d expect of a utility vehicle.

The bench seat is upholstered in unmarked black vinyl with contrasting red pleated seat facings, and up front the dashboard is a simple metal panel painted white.

By way of instrumentation, there is a single multi-function Jaeger dial, with all the controls being very analogue switches and knobs. The large diameter steering wheel would have helped the driver haul the pick-up around the farm tracks surrounding Livron, using the long-necked gear lever to keep up the revs on the hills.

With a small nod to comfort - and probably sound attenuation - the floor has black carpeting which appears in good condition. Up above, the simple dark grey headlining is also in good order.

Whether original or, as we surmise, the kind of useful thing that may have been added in period, there are domestic coat hooks attached to the rear wall of the cabin. A perfect place to hang your beret and “bleu de travail” overcoat.

The only issue we can find to draw your attention to is a chip and heavy scuffs in the paint on the driver side sill. Otherwise “c’est merveilleux!”

Under the bonnet lies a rather simple engine bay that is clean and looks well cared for with a few modern components to make it easier to live with. The long sloping front allowed for the battery to be mounted all the way forwards, in front of the radiator for ease of access.

Underneath, the ladder chassis is painted black and looks very clean with no obvious damage or corrosion. There are leaf springs either side at the rear and a transverse one at the front. The pick-up has drum brakes all round, for which the brake lines look recently renewed. The exhaust is a simple affair with a single box and a few stretches of flexible pipe but appears functional.

The rear axle differential looks like it is weeping oil a little, but this doesn’t look serious and is probably to be expected in a vehicle of this age.

We understand that there is little in the way of paperwork with this Peugeot 202 but there are a few historical documents and photographs of the restoration.

The market for classic commercial vehicles has grown fast over the last few years, as people acknowledge how few vans, trucks and buses have survived their long hard working lives.

Far from being a simple utility, this Peugeot 202 pick-up is a beautiful vehicle with some lovely styling touches and literally truck-loads of character. The engine runs quietly and smoothly and the vehicle reportedly drives very well, shifting up and down through the 3-speed gearbox easily.

We think this mechanically sorted and beautifully presented pick-up, lovingly restored a decade or so ago and still in wonderful condition, will sell for between €12.000 and €16.000.

There won’t be many vehicles like this around, and probably none as good as this one. What other rare classics could you buy for so little money?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Zelem, Belgium. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our “Frequently Asked Questions”.