estate car. The lengthened 403 estate had a solid rear axle fitted to an aluminum differential case. It used a manual column shift and in "Familiale" trim included fully reclinable front seats. Sunroof and steel belted radial tires were standard. A two-door cabriolet version of the car was also offered, with a luxurious interior featuring high quality leather upholstery. In 1958 the 403 cabriolet cost 80% more than the entry level "berline grand luxe" 403 sedan, and presumably for this reason the convertible 403 was produced and sold only in very modest numbers. In the spring of 1961 production of the 403 cabriolet ended, in anticipation of the launch later that year of the manufacturer's 404 Cabriolet. 2-door pickup and 3-door van commercial variants of the 403 were also produced. Production Peugeot 403 production (units): 1955 ..... 21,326 1956 ..... 71,551 1957 ... 1958 ... 121,757 1959 ... 1960 ... 1961 ..... 78,296 1962 .... 1963 .... 1964 ..... 53,371 1965 ..... 27,296 This data does not include 403 based light trucks Superseded by the Peugeot 404 in 1960, the 403 remained in production as a budget alternative until 1966. In addition to Argentinian and Australian production, the local Volkswagen assembler in New Zealand assembled 1,033 Peugeot 403s in just under four years, beginning in March 1960. The Argentinian version reached 90% integration of local parts. Culture On the American television show Columbo, starring Peter Falk, the shambling hero, detective Lt. Columbo, drove a shabby 403 cabriolet dating from 1959 or 1960. According to the 1991 episode "Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star", the car's cabriolet roof had never been lowered during his years of ownership. However, in the 1972 episode "Lady in Waiting" and in the 1973 episode "The Most Dangerous Match", Columbo can be seen driving the car with a lowered roof. The 403 features in Knife in the Water, Roman Polanski's 1962 Polish drama, being driven through the Masurian Lake District in northeastern Poland. References External links 403 Mid-size cars 1960s cars Cars introduced in 1955 Columbo Sedans Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Convertibles Station wagons