At €59,000, Can This 1985 Peugeot 505 Break 4×4 Dangel Lift Your Spirits Up?

Wagons with crossover styling cues and increased ground clearance are still a popular alternative to SUVs but back in the ’80s there weren’t many of them in the market. French company Dangel, was one of the pioneers in that segment converting the Peugeot 505 Break into an off-road animal. A rare example of this model from 1985 is listed for sale on Ruote da Sogno for €59,000 ($66,869).

The Peugeot 505 Break was introduced in 1982 as a more practical estate variant of the 505 sedan with a longer wheelbase and an optional third row of seats making it an eight-seater (Familiale). Using the French model as a base, Dangel added a four-wheel-drive system, reinforced and lifted the suspension, and shortened the gear ratios giving it proper off-road credentials.

While this particular example is not fitted with the plastic fender extensions nor the black-tinted headlights seen on some other Peugeot 505 Break 4×4 Dangel examples, it still looks quite cool with its angry face and massive ground clearance. It is also fitted with a metal roof rack allowing it to carry more cargo and spots a custom livery with green stickers in the lower part of the body. The steel wheels are shod in Grabber A/T tires, with a full-size spare in the large trunk.

Under the bonnet, there is a naturally-aspirated 1,995cc four-cylinder petrol engine which likely produces 108 hp (81 kW / 110 PS) and 171 Nm (126 lb-ft) of torque. As we mentioned earlier, unlike the rear-wheel-drive stock models power is transmitted to all four wheels thanks to the Dangel conversion through a shorter five-speed manual gearbox with high and low settings.

This special 505 has traveled 111,022 km (68,986 miles) since 1985, which is not that much for its age and adventurous character. It appears to be in great shape inside-out and underneath, showing that it has been taken good care of by its previous owners. The Dangel logos and the light gray upholstery look great, while the only aftermarket feature seems to be a rather useful inclinometer mounted on the dashboard.

While €59,000 ($66,869) is a respectable amount of money – especially for a vehicle from 1985, the coolness and collectability of the model could justify it for some people. The Peugeot 505 Break 4×4 Dangel wasn’t the first wagon crossover as it was preceded by the 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire, the 1979 AMC Eagle. However, it was an early adopter of the trend that was popularised by the Subaru Outback, the Audi Allroad, the Volvo Cross Country, and the Mercedes-Benz All Terrain models.