This 1959 Peugeot 403 cabrio (chassis 2185714) looks fantastic after an extensive and apparently very high quality restoration documented by more than 500 photos. These convertible versions are extremely scarce relative to their closed-top counterparts, with a total production numbering in the low four figures as opposed to more than a million sedans. A short, three year production run and an 80% price hike over the base four door cars made these cabrios scarce. Find this example here on eBay in Miami, Florida. Special thanks to reader Josef L. for the submission!

Pininfarina’s elegant lines lent themselves well to having the top removed, and look especially good in this car’s rich pastel blue and tan over parchment leather. Wheels are aftermarket but period-correct Robergel wire items said to be valued at over 1,300 euros a piece. They look pretty good with wide whites but we’d consider swapping them out for standard hub caps and black walls—regardless of which way we went with the rolling stock we’d ditch the cheesy plates ASAP. The beautiful, Art Deco lion’s head hood ornament this car wears was deleted sometime early in its year of manufacture due to pedestrian safety concerns. Check out the flip-up taillight fuel filler door—cool.

Inside is where the quality of restoration really shows, with taut, thick-looking leather, bright trim, new looking switchgear, finely textured carpet, and nicely restored Jaeger gauges rest beneath a factory-fresh looking top and frame. In-progress shots show the floors are fully sound and heat insulated with improved, modern materials, and in conjunction with the thick, tightly-fitting top and classic French ride quality must make for a very relaxed drive. Tinted, transparent plastic sun visors look very cool and are surrounded by a single, large chrome locking lever for the top.

Starting from a heavily rusted hulk the monocoque was then completely stripped and rebuilt, and photos show an immaculate, primered shell affixed to a rotisserie prior to finishing. The underside looks brand new in photos taken prior to any road use, and with only 168 miles since completion are likely to remain nearly as clean now. There’s no photographic evidence the 1.5 liter, pushrod four has been opened up, but they’re simple, robust units and it may not have been necessary to do so. Everything under the hood is finished to a similarly high standard as the rest of the car.

Worldwide shipping is available, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see this gem sent back to France where it’d probably be regarded as a national treasure. Miami seems like a great fit for it if it stays stateside though, in which case we the white walls and wires are 100% appropriate. Corny TV references aside we’re thoroughly impressed.