Good Find Friday features interesting vehicles we’ve found for sale while conducting market analysis or appraisal research. They are not for sale by Wolf and Mare and we have no business relationship with the sellers. We just think they’re worth learning about and sharing with our readers!

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I just completed an appraisal report on a very rare Brass-Era car, and the process of evaluating the vehicle and studying its history reminded me how much I’d like to own a pre-war car. I firmly believe a true enthusiast should experience owning at least one in their lifetime, even if for a short while. The pre-war car I appraised was American, powerful and positively huge at 4,000 pounds. I generally prefer smaller European cars and did a quick search on what might be out there in the pre-war market overseas. That’s how I found today’s Good Find Friday car, a 1938 Peugeot 202 Cabriolet.

The Peugeot 202, introduced in 1938 and just squeaking in under the “pre-war” designation as France declared war on Germany in 1939, was developed as a smaller companion to the French company’s 402 and adopted a Chrysler Airflow-like streamlined styling Peugeot was exploring at the time. Its launch was interrupted by World War II, but production resumed in 1946 with only minor updates carried over from the pre-war design.  It was offered in several body styles, including a four-door berline, two-door cabriolet, commercial van, wagon, and pickup.

The car used a steel ‘bloctube’ (tubular frame) chassis, independent front suspension, and a 1,133 cc four-cylinder engine producing roughly 30 hp, paired with a three-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on the upper gears. Total production reached about 104,126 units between 1938–1942 and 1946–1949, after which the 202 was succeeded by the Peugeot 203. Surviving examples are uncommon, though the model maintains a following among collectors interested in early post-war French cars.

This 1938 Peugeot 202 Cabriolet is listed on the vehicle classifieds site Car & Classic with an asking price of €35,000. The car is currently located on the island of Crete with a French registration.

A first-year example, this convertible appears to be in very nice restored condition and is finished in a lovely combination of ivory over red with a red top and pinstriping. Exterior features include a waterfall grill, separate impact bumpers, wheel spats, a pillar-mounted side mirror and suicide doors. It’s worth noting that the convertible top is not original to the car and has been modified from the original style.

If you know me well, I’m a fan of quirky cars, and the pair of headlights mounted behind the radiator grill certainly qualifies as a quirky feature. The stop lights on the rear are placed far inboard of their usual positions on the rear quarters, mirroring the placement of the headlights up front.

The interior is upholstered in red vinyl with beige piping that matches the exterior color. In another quirk, the door pulls are circular, almost like a door knocker or shower curtain ring. Quirky. While the dash appears to be a simple, single-instrument affair, the centrally mounted gauge includes readouts for speed, fuel level, amperage, kilometers traveled and the time of day. The three-spoke steering wheel shows some evidence of cracks in the finish.

The engine is a recently rebuilt 4-cylinder and puts out a scant 30hp, but the car has a curb weight of just under 2000 pounds, so it will offer Volkswagen Beetle-like performance. The carburetor appears to be a single-barrel Solex unit. Overall, the engine bay looks pretty tidy, with no obvious sign of leaks from the carb, fuel pump, or valve covers. If the car isn’t used much, as noted by the owner, then perhaps some light reconditioning will be necessary.

It could be a trick of the wide-angle lens, but the trunk looks rather spacious and accommodating for luggage, with the rear axle and fuel filler protruding a bit awkwardly into the compartment. Recent service is said to include a new battery, coil, radiator, water pump and new ignition points.

Not many Peugeot 202s come to market, perhaps owing to their everyday car status and fairly small production numbers. Even fewer of those on offer are convertibles. The market varies wildly in price, with the top sale being $59,175 and the lowest sale $2,408. Here’s a breakdown of values by variant, but be aware the sample size is small!

As you can see, the Cabriolet brings higher prices in general. Though the two highest sales on record in recent years are for a Berline sedan and a UH Pickup.

The conventional wisdom is that pre-war cars are challenging to own for the average enthusiast. The typical automotive repair shop won’t touch them, making DIY repairs almost mandatory, unless you have a competent antique auto restorer in your vicinity. The difficulty must increase for a rare French mini-car! Parts availability will also be a challenge.

“Pre-war” spans decades of car production, but many suggest buying the newest pre-war car you can, making this Peugeot, which is already in restored condition, a potential good buy.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!