The Peugeot 309 becomes a museum piece

Forty years after its birth, the Peugeot 309 joins the museum, celebrating its discreet yet major role in automotive history.

On October 26, 2025, the Peugeot 309 moved from being a everyday car to becoming part of history… and a museum. At the Metropole Automuseum of Druten, in the Netherlands, several examples of this compact from the 1980s were assembled for a special exhibition, organized by the local club, allowing visitors to rediscover a model that defined an entire generation.

At its launch in 1985, the 309 wasn’t aiming to make headlines. Its simple design, reliability, and comfort made it a practical and unpretentious car, perfect for families and city trips. But behind this apparent modesty lay a true technical success: a sturdy car, easy to drive and maintain, which managed to find its place in the daily lives of millions of drivers.

A timeless classic

Today, displayed alongside other classics, the 309 reveals a new perspective. Museum visitors can admire restored models, browse vintage catalogs, and discover anecdotes about its owners. Every detail tells a story of an era when French automobiles combined practicality and creativity, and when cars like the 309 played a discreet but central role in people’s lives.

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This exhibition is more than just a showcase: it is a tribute to a popular model that became a symbol of its time. The Peugeot 309 demonstrates that automotive history isn’t built only with luxury or racing cars, but also with those that accompanied daily life, learned to roll with families, and crossed decades. Forty years after its introduction, the 309 proves that even a compact car can become legendary. And for those who drove it, seeing it displayed in a museum is a bit like reuniting with an old friend: it brings back memories, trips, and shared moments.

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