The Peugeot 404: Nostalgia, Innovation, and Safety Regrets

The Peugeot 404 holds a special place in the hearts of those of us who grew up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, especially in Nigeria, where it was fondly known as "Opi Achara" in Igboland.

The icon, “404,” was a car that became a symbol of reliability and comfort and a cherished part of our memories. People loved it for the smooth ride and the versatility it offered, whether in its Saloon or Wagon versions.

My fondest memory of “Opi Achara” is a plush one that my church pastor drove. The Saloon, often polished to perfection, was immaculate white, and fitting for this pastor's elegance.

But, as much as we look back on the 404 with affection, there’s one version of it that, in hindsight, should never have been allowed on the roads — the Pick-up version that was retrofitted to carry passengers at the back.

This modification, while well-intentioned, to haul passengers and goods, turned out to be dangerous — a death box.

Looking at the picture of this vehicle today, it’s clear that the 404 pick-up was never intended to carry passengers in the back, which made it inherently unstable. Its boxy and flat design, with sharp angles and a high rear bed, lacked the smooth, rounded contours typical of aerodynamic vehicles.

This blocky structure increased wind resistance, as air couldn’t flow smoothly over and around the vehicle. Instead, the flat surfaces acted almost like barriers against the wind, especially at higher speeds, making the car harder to control and significantly compromising its stability.

Things got even worse when lots of people were crammed in at the back of the pick-up. The extra weight in the rear, combined with the passengers shifting their positions while the vehicle was in motion, created what engineers refer to as ‘dynamic load redistribution’. Essentially, when passengers moved in the back, they changed the distribution of weight inside the vehicle, which affected its overall ‘center of gravity’.

The center of gravity is the point where the vehicle's mass is concentrated. When passengers shifted, the center of gravity moved, making the vehicle more prone to instability. This was particularly dangerous because a higher or poorly placed center of gravity reduced the vehicle's ‘roll stability’—meaning, it was more likely to tip over, especially when taking sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. The added weight in the back also increased the likelihood of ‘body roll’, where the entire vehicle leans or tilts during cornering, further compromising control and safety.

In simpler terms, just a small movement of people in the back must have significantly affected how the vehicle handled, making it much more prone to tipping or rolling (we called it “tumbling” or "somersaulting"), particularly at higher speeds or in tight turns.

Another serious safety issue was the lack of proper safety features, such as seat belts, for passengers sitting on bench-type seats in the back.

People were simply crammed into the rear of the vehicle with little protection in case of an accident. What's more, the materials used in the construction of the back cabin weren’t sturdy enough to safeguard the passengers, adding to the risk.

Looking at it today, it’s easy to see why this version of the 404 was a danger. The fact that the Nigerian government eventually banned it was a step in the right direction, as it helped to prevent many unnecessary accidents and fatalities.

That said, for those of us who rode in these vehicles, the Peugeot 404’s saloon and wagon versions remain beloved for their durability and the memories they brought to many of us.

While the pick-up version didn’t have the same level of success, Peugeot did learn from it, as seen in the design improvements made in the later 504 model, which addressed many of the 404's aerodynamics shortcomings.

So, while we can still smile at the memories of “Opi Achara” and all the good times it gave us, it’s also important to recognize that the pick-up versions of this classic sent many Nigerians to their graves.