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The size of the 205 GTI meant Peugeot pitched the car perfectly in the hot hatch market. With other performance hatchbacks getting bigger, Peugeot stuck with the 'small is beautiful' concept.
You could argue that the VW Golf GTI felt more grown up and mature in many ways, especially in terms of build quality. But I find that most car enthusiasts who have owned both cars feel the 205 is the purer drive. It was the ideal blend of power to weight which made the car so perfect.
Its chic styling, awesome blend of performance and balance, perfect gear ratios, very cool interior and an ever growing list of successes on the international rallying scene made the 205 GTI appeal to a broad spectrum of car enthusiasts. The 205 GTI was truly classless.
With a 0-60 mph time of 8.7 seconds, a top speed of 122 mph and a standing ¼ mile in 17.4 seconds, the 1.6 (115 bhp) version of the 205 GTI mixed exhilarating performance with a ground breaking ride. It made the driver feel they could take on the best and fastest around.
Many of these pocket rockets have led a very hard and unforgiving life. Most owners have taken the opportunity to fully exploit the delights of the chassis and the power on hand. Consequently, finding an unmolested, original and loved example has become almost impossible.
When my phone rang and the son of the 87 year old owner told me about this particular GTI, I was grabbing my keys to go and meet them before we even finished speaking.
His mother bought the car brand new 36 years ago when she was 61 years old (cool mum). You can only imagine how emotional the decision to sell was, but it was decided that she was now too old to drive. The car has been garaged from new and only ever serviced by the supplying Peugeot main agent. The mileage today is a staggeringly low 16,720 miles from new.
The car is still in factory paint and totally original. Cosmetically she wants for very little. We are replacing a slightly scuffed rear bumper section and a rear light lens. The wheels are being refurbished due to the start of very slight corrosion to the alloy. The interior is as new and retains that un-sat-in look.
The car is now passing through our workshop for a full programme of age related, preventive mechanical work to present the car to the new owner in turnkey order.
The car will be serviced, with a new cambelt, tensioner, water pump, new front calipers, brake discs, pads, rear drums, brake shoes, brake hoses, wheel cylinders, suspension bushes, steering track rods, coolant hoses and fuel hoses as required.
Once we have eliminated all the perishable 26 year old items, the car will be carefully road tested and a new MOT issued. The awesome body shell will then be carefully protected long-term against corrosion with clear Waxoyl and Tectyl ML.
The car will then be fully detailed inside, outside, underneath, with paint detailing and ceramic coating.
This is an exciting opportunity to own one of the lowest mileage 205 GTIs left in existence, with only one owner from new and one of only 300 examples built in rare Miami Blue.
Peugeot 205 GTI
n 1984 when Peugeot launched the 205 GTi, its breathtaking performance and impeccable handling quickly gained a strong following with keen drivers and the motoring press alike. Peugeot’s press and marketing team described the 205 as "a small, but mighty technological miracle". Bold claims, that ultimately proved to be correct as the GTi went on to become arguably one of the greatest hot hatches of all time.
£34,995
Please contact Barney to enquire about this time-warp Peugeot 205 GTI