The Car: A Peugeot 403 Cabriolet

If you are a fan of the classic detective series Columbo, you probably remember the car that Lieutenant Columbo drove in many episodes. It was a 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet, a rare and ratty convertible that contrasted with the sleek and expensive cars of the suspects. But how did Columbo end up with such a car? And what happened to it after the show ended? In this post, we'll explore the mystery of Columbo’s car and reveal some interesting facts and trivia about it.

How Columbo Chose His Car

The car was chosen by actor Peter Falk, who played the role of Columbo. He was offered a tour of the Universal Studios back lot to find a car for his character. He saw the nose of a car sticking out and said, “This is the one”. The car was a 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet that didn’t even have an engine in it. 

The 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet was a rare car even in the 1970s, when the show was made. Only 2,030 were made globally over a five-year run. The car had a four-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower and a top speed of 90 mph. It also had a four-speed manual transmission, leather upholstery, and a padded dashboard. The car cost 80 percent more than the sedan version of the 403.

Was there more than one car?

Yes! The series started with a a 1959 403 but fairly early on shifted to a 1960 403. The key differences are that the 1959 had a black top, and the 1960 had a lighter colored top and also the side view mirrors on the '59 were up on the fenders, but they were in the more common place on the doors on the '60.

The 1960

Finally, the sharp-eyed among you will notice that the cars had different license plates. 044APD for the 1959, and 448DBZ for the 1960.

He was still driving the 1959 in Season 3's Any Old Port in a Storm.

How Columbo’s Car Became an Icon

Columbo’s car became an icon of the show because it matched his character’s personality and style. Columbo was a shrewd but humble detective who used his unassuming demeanor, rumpled raincoat, and cigar to catch the murderers off guard. His car was also a part of his disguise, as it made him look like a lowly and incompetent cop who posed no threat to the sophisticated and wealthy criminals.

What are those things on the dash?

One of the odd bits about the car that sometimes sparks curiousity is what the metal frames across the dashboard are for. 

I haven't seen a conclusive answer. A leading speculation is that they're for holding papers. They seem a bit excessive for that, though, spanning the entire dash like that.

A more likely guess is that they're to hold some sort of cover in place for if you park the car with the top down.

What Happened to Columbo’s Car

After the show ended in 2003, the fate of Columbo’s car became a mystery.  According to some sources, the car was sold at an auction in 1990 for $7,000. However, other sources claim that the car was never sold and remained in the possession of Universal Studios. The car was reportedly seen in a storage lot in Ensenada, Mexico, where it was slowly deteriorating. Some fans have tried to locate and restore the car, but so far, no one has succeeded.

Columbo’s car is a piece of TV history that deserves to be preserved and celebrated. It is a symbol of Columbo’s character and his ingenious methods of solving crimes. 

Learn more

• Inside Columbo's Car (freeuk.com)