205 GT resurrection!
Author
Discussion

Fallingleaves

Original Poster:

19 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I purchased this little gem recently
1989 G reg Peugeot 205 GT in what i think is Topaz blue, with a genuine 81k on the clock.
It's been off the road for a few years (2014 from memory) with a suspected faulty engine.
The plan is to bring it back to life and get it on the road again, fixing and repairing whatever I find on the way.
It won't be a "no expense spared" affair, as these haven't quite reached the silly prices that GTi's are now fetching. However, I rate these as brilliant little fun cars and you can't beat the 80's Peugeot smell inside!
I actually had one twenty years ago, albeit the 'suitcase' talbot engine with twin webers. I remember it fondly, red line just before 6k but would go to over 8k before the valves decided they couldn't go any faster! The joys of being 18!
I had loads of performance Peugeots back when they were cheap, a 1987 D reg 205 1.9 GTi (one of the first registered I believe) along with more 405 Mi16s than are currently taxed, which is embarrasing! Also various others, kent cams modified Xsara VTS, 205 Rallye - uk version. The rallye looked cool but was actually a bit rubbish, based on the 75bhp cooking spec with cruise liner shocks.

Back to the 205 GT.
So this will be done in stages, but i started with trying to get it running.
Once the engine had some oil in it! Then I found the plugs didn't look in the best of health! At this point I was slightly concerned, but a compression check showed a healthy engine surprisingly! So new plugs and I i tried to start it, whats the worst that could happen, right?
I then found none of the keys i had fitted the barrel!!
Old school starting method with a screwdriver and hammer!
And...it sprang into life. Sounds brilliant! manky old fuel notwithstanding it sounds ace. Revvy and belching out choke induced fumes that only an old carb fed car can.
So now that's one major hurdle overcome I'll be slowly rebuiilding/cleaining/servicing and replacing and hopefully by the spring it'll be back on the road.
I'll update the thread as I go if anyone is interested.
The only other jobs i've done so far are to replace the iginition barrel and give the inside a clean. The car was full of spares (and spiders), including a reflective '205' strip that goes between the rear lights. I won't be using this so if anyone is interested let me know.
I will probably need a few spares, including the gear knob and trim. Is the GT gear knob the type with red writing or normal type on these? I can't remember.
Enjoy the pics so far..



















Edited by Fallingleaves on Thursday 23 January 12:46

ceesvdelst

289 posts

84 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I had an XS many moons ago.

Spme fauolts that were routine, the CV joints and shafts are uneven, the boots ear out routinely!

There was also an issue with the alternator, can't remember exactly but that was known fault that left me stranded on the M25 once.

Great little car, peppy engine, decent economy and great handling, and fairly cheap to run

Caddyshack

14,700 posts

235 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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I have loads of 205 bits including interior trim. It is all Gti stuff but most are no different.

I am not sure if the 4 door front doors are the same size? I do have some leather 2 door front door cards that I had made with nice stitching etc. (black and red)

Most of my stuff is dark grey / black phase 2

I think I have ignition barrel and keys too.

Fallingleaves

Original Poster:

19 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
quotequote all
I do actually have the front door cards and drivers seat. I’ll make a list of bits I need once I’ve figured out what’s missing!
I don’t actually think it’s too much
Thanks

velocemitch

4,019 posts

249 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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Great project, good luck with it.

DKL

4,958 posts

251 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
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That takes me back. The folks bought a new one in a very similar colour. It had to be a 4 door and I tried very hard to get an SR which I'm sure was the 4 door version of the GT But sadly mpg won out and a GR was ordered. I drove it quite alot, it was better than the metro we had before it.

Fallingleaves

Original Poster:

19 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
quotequote all
IIRC wasn’t an SR a base model version? 60bhp

DKL

4,958 posts

251 months

Thursday 23rd January 2020
quotequote all
Fallingleaves said:
IIRC wasn’t an SR a base model version? 60bhp
I think that's the XR, the SR was a 1.4 like the GT.

ETA nope, Xr are 3 doors. Wiki briefly mentions the SR but doesn't go into any detail. Iirc they were scarce even then, none for sale now.
My first boss's wife had a Roland Garros soft top, that was quite smart.

Edited by DKL on Thursday 23 January 23:06

Shezbo

630 posts

159 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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We had an XS.

Silver 3dr 1.4, great little car.

Has anyone else noticed......Peugeot 205's don't suffer from rust, like most 80's cars?

sjabrown

2,082 posts

189 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Lovely and a worthy resurrection. Peugeot made good cars with the 205s, in all the specs

velocemitch

4,019 posts

249 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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Shezbo said:
We had an XS.

Silver 3dr 1.4, great little car.

Has anyone else noticed......Peugeot 205's don't suffer from rust, like most 80's cars?
I never noticed that at all....... last time I was trying to weld it back together!.

9xxNick

1,159 posts

243 months

Friday 24th January 2020
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The rust point is interesting. I had a 205 Rallye (UK version) in 2010-12 which hadn't a spot of rust on it which was fairly odd for a 20-ish year old economy car.

Fallingleaves

Original Poster:

19 posts

152 months

Sunday 26th January 2020
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Were Peugeot’s of this era galvanised?

rickygolf83

356 posts

190 months

Tuesday 28th January 2020
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From 87 on all pugs were galvanised smile