In the company of Hervé Charpentier, the curator of the L’Aventure Peugeot museum in Sochaux, we retrace the long career of the Peugeot 103 in video. Utility models, choppers, race or cross versions, this cyclo has everything to please the greatest number.
The writing of Argus visited Sochaux at the Peugeot Adventure Museum, where the exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Peugeot 103. The best-selling moped in the world – more than 3 million units have been sold – began its career in 1971. Produced in Mandeure (Doubs) until 2006, it continued its manufacture until 2017 in China and Morocco. Successor of the Peugeot 101 and 102, the 103 is a logical evolution. The lion brand is refining a proven recipe. Spoked wheels, rigid frame, small streamlined headlight and typical orange color seventies characterize the first models, type MV.
From 103 Chopper to that of the postman
Over time, the range opens up very widely and covers a wide range, from professionals (police officers, delivery men, postmen, etc.) to high school students, who each want their own. The inspirations are multiple and in particular American, with the various choppers Peugeot 103 Arizona, 103 Indiana or 103 HP and 103 HP2 which, in a subliminal way, evoke a distant cousinization with the Harley-Davidson.
Those who want adventure outside the bitumen fall for a Peugeot 103 CRX, whose spirit is similar to that of an enduro motorcycle. The sportsmen, them, will have eyes only for the 103 Chrono or 103 Racing, RCX for the close friends. The stylistic development is parallel technological: liquid cooling and kick start (instead of the old pedals now useless) testify on the high-end versions. In the mid-1990s, the Peugeot 103 SPX benefited from a new frame with softer shapes and above all a larger capacity tank, posting 5 l instead of 3 l previously. But the Peugeot 103, the popular machine par excellence, has always been able to keep a more affordable entry level. Without rear suspensions or even a variable-speed motor, the Peugeot 103 Vogue and 103 Z made it possible to significantly lower the call price.
TO READ. Peugeot 103 (1971). On the handlebars of the former high school star for his 50th birthday
A 103 with a turbo?
Clever, Peugeot has also linked the 103 to its automotive news with in particular a Turbo 16 version whose decoration clearly refers to that of the star of rallies, the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. But there is obviously no question of turbocharged engine. for this edition, which retains the 49.9 cm single-cylinder engine3 developing a power of 2.3 hp imposed by law.
“The Peugeot 103 Excalibur, with its chrome frame, is the collector’s grail,“
Among the many examples present at the museum, we note a rare Peugeot 103 Excalibur, whose frame and body parts are fully chromed, the ultimate at the time and today the holy grail for collectors.
There is also a Peugeot 103 SX with a powertrain already announcing that of its replacement, the Peugeot Fox, as well as a 103 Aero prototype benefiting from optimized air cooling of the engine and a cylinder head with characteristic V-fins. Finally, a scooter designed by preparer Ludovic Lazareth was used as a delivery vehicle for Paul bakeries. To each his own 103!
The Peugeot 103 in the American spotlight
In addition to the many models of 103 exhibited at the Adventure Museum
Peugeot in Sochaux (Doubs), the lion brand has gathered photo and video archives among which you can discover unpublished images produced by Gilles and Robert on the occasion of their tour of America in 103 “moped” (US name) between June 1978 and September 1979. An adventure of 30,000 miles (nearly 50,000 km) punctuated by twists and turns and beautiful encounters through Halifax, Vancouver, San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami, Quebec…
Useful information
Museum opening days and hours : every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except December 24 and 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Annual closing on December 25 and 1er January.
Entrance fees 2021 : € 9 full price, € 5 for children aged 7 to 18, students, people with disabilities and job seekers. Free entry for children under 7 and members of L’Aventure Peugeot Citroën DS.
Entrance fees 2022 : € 10 full price, € 5.50 for children aged 7 to 18, students, people with disabilities and job seekers. Free entry for children under 7 and members of L’Aventure Peugeot Citroën DS.
