One of the world’s oldest motor manufacturers, Armand Peugeot started with a steam car in 1889 and began dropping Daimler petrol engines into his chassis two years later. Racers grew Peugeot’s pre-war reputation, along with some adventurous styling, but postwar the company’s success was largely built on not being CitroΫn; by sticking to tried and trusted engineering, its cars were less troublesome, gaining loyal owners.

Ironically, this led to Peugeot taking over CitroΫn in the 1970s, along with Chrysler Europe. This resulted in some financial strains, from which it was rescued by the runaway success of the Peugeot 205.