In the aisles of the Peugeot Adventure Museum, a blue three‑door wagon catches every eye. Its line instantly recalls the 504 coupé, but with a hatch and a stretched roofline that contrast with the utilitarian image of 1970s wagons.
It was thought lost since the late 1990s. This drawing by Pininfarina, unveiled in 1971 and never produced, had become a myth for enthusiasts. A British collector nevertheless decided, in 2022, to bring this unique silhouette back to life: today, his replica of the Peugeot 504 Riviera is on display at Sochaux, and its story speaks volumes about automotive memory.
From Pininfarina’s 1971 study to the vanished prototype
Derived from the 504 coupé, the 504 Riviera imagined by Pininfarina sought to reconcile space and elegance. The idea was simple on paper: to design a sporty shooting brake capable of offering volume and comfort, without sacrificing the coupé’s prestige. At a time when wagon bodies remained largely associated with cargo and large families, this “shooting brake” aimed to reconcile practicality with distinction.
The prototype was unveiled in 1971, first at the Geneva Motor Show, then at the Paris Show. For economic and industrial reasons, the project never progressed beyond the study stage. The only known example was sold in Spain before disappearing in the late 1990s. No details have been provided, which has long kept the mystery around this 504 like no other.
The bet of a British collector and the rebirth at Sochaux
Indeed, this silhouette had drawn a few looks. In 2022, a British collector, nostalgic for the car from his childhood—a 504 Cabriolet—decided to no longer settle for archive photos. He enlisted HC Classics to recreate the Riviera based on a 1972 504 convertible. Three years of work would be required: hours of 3D modeling from existing documents, full reproduction of the glazing, reconstruction of the entire rear section, fabrication of specific components, and a complete restoration of the base, with adaptations for current safety standards.
Gradually, the shape of the wagon resurfaced. What had been nothing more than a memory came back to life, to the point that it could hit the road again and be shown to the public. After this long reconstruction, the car earned its moment in the spotlight: a display at Rétromobile 2025, followed by installation at the Peugeot Adventure Museum in Sochaux, where it is today presented alongside other 504s to place this study within the story of the model. By lending his vehicle to the museum, the owner simply stated: “This is its place here!” he confirmed, according to the Peugeot Adventure Museum, at the official inauguration on March 30, in the presence of the HC Classics team and members of L’Amicale 504 who helped bring this connection to life.
