Presentation of Peugeot 103

Le Peugeot 103, collector's moped

Le Peugeot 103 is a moped launched in France in 1971, featuring a 2 cc 49,13-stroke engine (bore to stroke: 40 to 39,1 mm) and throttled to 45 km/h (which allowed driving without license).

Its tank, with a capacity of 3,69 L (including 0,5 L reserve) of gasoline/oil mixture (4 at 6 % oil) gave it a range of approximately 100 km (of which 10 km in reserve). One of the interesting innovations was this "reserve", inherited from the motorcycle. Unlike the 101/102, the 103 received, from the start, a reed valve intake system, offering much more power and smoothness than the 102 (equipped of an engine with admission to the cylinder par piston skirt).

The very first 103, model VS marketed in 1971, had full equipment: front and rear shock absorbers, speedometer, and could receive optional turn signals, brake lights and a buzzer. This model, which became the MVL, truly contributed to the success of the 103 par compared to other models in the range.

Over the years the 103 evolved, adapting to new legislation and constantly benefiting from technical or aesthetic improvements: refined line, better visibility with a new headlight, engine power increasing from 1,9 hp to 2,3 hp, new protective aluminum casing...

It will be available in many versions, ranging from rustic models, without dimmer, without suspension AR and without a speedometer, up to top-of-the-range models like the SPX and RCX, passing par more opulent derivatives such as the 104 et 105, to end par le Fox which was a distant derivative. The 103 undergoes important evolutions, both from the point of view of the motorization and that of the cycle part. The mechanics were even equipped with liquid cooling for the most sporty, while the versions MVL et MVX favored comfort, protection and standing!

Originally designed for utilitarian functions, this moped quickly became a symbol of freedom and a true icon of fashion and lifestyle. Above all, it will have allowed By bike Peugeot to rise to the top rank of French constructors and the second rank of world moped constructors at the time. The 103 model has found the right technical and economic compromise to become the most manufactured two-stroke two-stroke two-wheeler in the world to date.

The important dates of Peugeot 103

1973: 786 137 units produced hoist the brand to the Lion at the level of French leader. In the same year, the brand exported 150 thousand mopeds, which represents 000% of French exports in the sector.

1974: three years after its homologation, the 103 breaks all sales records with more than 550 thousand sales and becomes the icon of youth!

1980: Peugeot 103 is winner of the “24 Hours Cyclo” with Vincent Briottet and Frédéric Pelletier.

1993: A real industrial success, the five assembly lines of the factory of Mandator produced up to 2 thousand vehicles par day. Many professional versions of the 103 equip companies throughout Europe.

2021: 50th anniversary of the 103th, 15th anniversary of the cessation of its production in France. An exhibition in Sochaux is dedicated to him.

The decline, but ties it to the Peugeot 103

With the increase in the standard of living, the appearance of anti-pollution standards and the development of the modern scooter, sales of mopeds have collapsed. However the 103 remains an icon for all French people and a flagship piece carefully guarded par many collectors and enthusiasts.

Le Peugeot 103 was born in 1971 and it is November 30 2006 that the last Peugeot 103 was produced at Mandator, near Montbéliard (25) after 35 years of loyal service! Assembled until 2006, its production was extended in China and Morocco until 2017.

The singularity, not to say the legend of the 103 is due to a few details which the forty-five-sixty-somethings remember today with émotion. The handlebar-bracelet, first of all, which made it possible to adopt multiple driving styles. The speedometer which had an irrepressible tendency to optimism, the needle rising up to 55 km / h while, handle screwed to the extreme, we were familiar in r © bedridden the 45 km/h. That's also why we loved it, the 103, and negotiated hard with parents to get it.

An exhibition was organized at Sochaux au adventure museum Peugeot from November 22, 2021 to January 31, 2022. The adventure of Gilles Mariani et Robert Sroka will be told to you in pictures. They completed their Tour of America in 103 "moped" (US name) between June 1978 and September 1979. An adventure of 30 thousand miles (nearly 000 thousand km) punctuated by adventures and beautiful encounters while crossing Halifax, Vancouver, San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami, New York...