Post-War Peugeot 203

Having served as a battleground in 1940 and again in 1944-45, not to mention having been occupied in whole or part by German troops from mid-1940 to early 1945, France's economy was in bad shape after World War 2 ended.  Some of its industry had been bombed, and some of its equipment had been carted off to Germany.  Peugeot was affected, and wasn't able to introduce a new design until late 1948.  And it was the firm's only production model until 1955, as this Wikipedia entry entry indicates.   That was the Peugeot 203, the subject of this post.

Peugeot has the reputation as being France's most conservative automobile brand, though its 402 quasi-streamlined model of the mid-to-late 1930s was an exception.  The new 203 was true to Peugeot form, however, its styling being largely derivative.  Absent were features in the postwar styling air such as envelope bodies with flow-through fenders.   In other words, the 203 was a "safe" design that would sustain Peugeot while the French economy completed its recovery from the war and then could move towards greater prosperity.

Gallery

Peugeot 203 introduced at 1948 Paris auto show
The 1948 Salon de l'Automobile de Paris was unusual in that it was held in late June and early July, rather than in the early fall, as was the normal case.  The 203 was in production by fall and can be considered a 1949 model.  Its most backward feature was the flat, one-piece windshield.  It was also a fastback design, fashionable around the time it was introduced, but soon to be abandoned by most carmakers.  Fenders are separate, though the front fender does extend back over part of the front door.  Doors are hinged on the centerpost, simplifying the over-the-door fender feature that would have required more complicated hinging if front door hinges were on the cowling.

1949 Peugeot 203 at rally: view of rear
According to the link above, contemporary photos of early 203 rear ends are rare because Peugeot was somewhat embarrassed by the protruding gas filler cap.  I include this picture because it shows the offending cap as well as the initial rear window, later enlarged.

1955 Peugeot 203
Several years later, not much had changed.

1939 Opel Kapitän
Front fenders flowing over front doors reached production on 1939 Opels.  Here the hinging arrangement was opposite that of the 203, both doors opening from the centerpost.  Peugeot stylists were aware of these Opels as the 203 project was getting underway during the war.

1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster
The Wikipedia entry suggests that the 1942 Chevrolet might have served as inspiration for the 203 design.  That cannot be ruled out, though its basic design elements were also present on the Opel pictured above.  Seen here is a 1948 Chevrolet that differed from 1942, 1946 and 1947 models only in terms of minor trim details.

1940 Chrysler Royal
I include the 1940 Chrysler because the 203 has a similar, though wider, grille.