Skip to content
THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Peugeot 203 Dubois Coupé Frua

1952Coachwork by Frua

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1952
Body style
Coupé
Engine
Inline-4
Type
Limited
Production
14

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Peugeot 203 Frua Coupé Dubois made its grand debut at the prestigious 1953 Turin Auto Show, captivating audiences with its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative design. This remarkable vehicle, born from the collaboration between Maurice Dubois and renowned coachbuilder Pietro Frua, bore the hallmark of exceptional engineering and aesthetic excellence. Founded in 1953, Maurice Dubois established his eponymous company with the singular goal of producing automobiles that would leave a lasting impression. Accordingly, the brand bore his initials, M.D., signifying a commitment to quality and ingenuity. The MD Peugeot, unveiled in 1953, boasted a lightweight tubular chassis by Nardi, seamlessly integrating the mechanical components of the Peugeot 203. However, its pièce de résistance lay in its aluminum body, expertly crafted by the skilled hands of Pietro Frua. This collaboration resulted in a masterpiece of automotive design, blending classic Peugeot styling cues with Frua’s signature elegance and sophistication. Under the hood, the MD Peugeot featured a potent engine, its power augmented by a Nardi intake manifold and a compressor by Constantin, boosting output from 42 to 90 horsepower. This impressive performance ensured a thrilling driving experience, delivering exhilarating acceleration and dynamic handling. Production of the MD Peugeot spanned from 1953 to 1954, with a total of up to 14 specimens crafted. Each vehicle was meticulously detailed, with some featuring distinctive design elements such as a central chrome strip in the grille, hood-mounted air intake scoops, and counter-rotating windshield wipers, further enhancing their individuality and allure.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
14
Production type
Limited
Construction features · Legacy attribution
Gilco Chassis

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
Inline-4

Dimensions & accommodation

Length
3,950 mm
Width
1,540 mm
Height
1,330 mm

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Frua
Designer · Documented
Pietro Frua
Manufacturer · Documented
Peugeot

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

35° Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile – Torino General · From the historical archive
Date
22 Apr 1953
Chassis
General
Venue
Torino Esposizioni / Palazzo delle Esposizioni · Torino

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Pietro Frua Catalogue raisonné — 1950–1959 www.pietro-frua.de Specialist designer archive catalogue raisonne

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records

THE CONVERSATION

Comments 0

Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.

Join the conversation