One car in the Classic Himalayan Drive 2025 field made a particularly big impression: a dark beige, diesel-powered, rear-wheel drive 1977 Peugeot 504. It is a machine that many would say belongs on a sunny African highway, a Latin American marketplace or a country street in Provence – but certainly not on a serpentine road winding between Himalayan glaciers. However, the veteran sedan defied stereotypes and reached its destination. With this achievement, not only did the driver, Ranjit Pratap, and his navigator wife, Uma, write an adventurous story for themselves, but the Peugeot 504 itself showed why it became a world car half a century ago and why its name is still worth pronouncing with respect today.
The Peugeot 504 had a special history from the moment it was introduced: more than 3,7 million units were built from 1968 onwards, and it found a home not only in Europe but on practically every continent. This was the model that was loved as a taxi in Africa for decades due to its unbeatable durability; which also became a workers' car in Latin America; which we could see everywhere from Australia to Asia as a tireless companion on dusty country roads, dirt roads and forest sections.
It was no coincidence: the 504 was built on technical foundations that were considered outstanding in its time, and even today it can seem as if it was specifically designed for difficult terrain. A solid, well-proportioned unibody, long suspension travel, sophisticated but durable chassis front and rear, high-sidewall tires, comfortable seats and tough engines – it was a rare combination of French elegance and iron-like durability. And Pininfarina's design gave it a restrained elegance that still seems timeless.
But despite its cross-continental career and legendary reliability, when it comes to the Himalayas, every experience takes on a new meaning. The Classic Himalayan Drive route took us from Noida, via Ramnagar and Corbett National Park, through Rishikesh and Theog to the infamous Jalori Pass, then on to the Rohtang Pass, and finally to Manali and Chandigarh. A total of over one and a half thousand kilometers, with 200-250 kilometers of daily, often breathtakingly difficult sections.
The route was reminiscent of the legendary Himalaya Rally of the 1980s – in a safer form, of course – but still with serious dangers: flooded roads, ravines, sudden rock falls, snow patches and steep climbs. Most of the cars that took to the start were younger classics – many with all-wheel drive, modernised brakes and well-prepared powertrains. A 1977, four-speed, 2.3-litre diesel sedan, at first glance, promised more style points than competitiveness.
Ranjit nevertheless took on the challenge and did not regret his decision until the seventh day. The medium-speed country roads, the longer straights, the gentle climbs all favored the Peugeot. The body of the 504 gave the impression of being as taut and coherent as a hunting dog at full strength; its movement was stable and calm, even on sections of road where other cars were already bouncing nervously. The diesel engine reliably fulfilled its task: it pulled the chassis and its passengers up the mountains with modest but persistent power. The driver and his navigator were still smiling at this point, enjoying the mixture of nostalgia and adventure.
Then came the Jalori Pass. The mountainside was now heavily covered in snow, and the steepness of the climbs had reached a level that even many modern off-road vehicles would respect. The Peugeot could only climb in first gear, and Ranjit had to apply the throttle gently to keep the engine from overheating or stalling. And if that wasn’t enough, the brake booster had broken down in the meantime, reducing the braking power to about twenty percent of its original level. As a result, there was hardly any time to catch your breath at the top of the pass, as the descent promised to be even more daunting. The dark beige 504 now looked more like an experienced mountaineer, slightly worn out, with trembling muscles, but determined to keep going.
Fortunately, the security background was exceptional: a team of six marshals, experienced support cars, a whole crew of mechanics and several ambulances accompanied the caravan. This is how the romance of 1980s rallies met modern logistics – and this often helped as much as the cars' own power.
When the 504 finally arrived, not only the participants but also Peugeot itself seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. There it stood in Ranjit’s home garage, a little dusty but dignified, ready for a photo shoot – and it immediately became clear why many people still choose this model for long journeys today. The mature, restrained lines, the harmony of the Pininfarina design and the tireless work ethic all exude both classic French elegance and the unwavering character that made Peugeots of the late 20th century legendary worldwide.
Ranjit describes the experience as enriching, uplifting and lifelong – but he also adds that he would never do it again. Not because he regrets it, but because he respects the boundary that machine and man once crossed together. And the Peugeot 504 has earned this respect with dignity. There is something upliftingly romantic about a 47-year-old veteran car proving that certain pieces of automotive history are not just for museums. There are some – like this Peugeot – that take on the world’s highest mountains and, in the process, quietly and elegantly continue to write their own legend.
ILLUSTRATIONS: THE HINDU
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