RE: PH Heroes: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
Discussion
All brings back great memories.
I learned to drive, aged 17, in my Dad's silver 1.6 GTi (D740 PMR). I'll never forget the front magnetic L plate flying off at 115mph. Passed my test and then had a couple of rubbish Fords which made me realise how good the Peugeot was, so bought myself a nearly new silver 1.6 GTi (E556 UGK) and then two nearly new 1.9 GTis - a white one (F632 BOJ) and then a red one (G283 OGW). Colleagues of the time had XR3is, XR2s, RS Turbos, Astra GTEs and R5 GT Turbos. Only the R5 came close, IMO. Then got all sensible and bought a house, so had cars which were a bit less fun and a bit less expensive for a few years.
Had some great times in those cars. Many track days, toured Scotland and France, went to Le Mans 24 hours a couple of times. Every journey involved a 'race' of some description. My brother had a silver 1.9 GTi (E252 DPE) and a mate had a graphite grey 1.9 (E183 BMR) followed by a white 1.9 (F552 SLJ).
We'd drive miles and miles in them just for fun. We'd go down to the coast 'just for a drink' or to Wales 'just for a drive'. Those were the days! Looking back, I didn't realise how lucky a boy I was between age 17 and 22. Spanked most of my hard earned on the repayments though :-/
I learned to drive, aged 17, in my Dad's silver 1.6 GTi (D740 PMR). I'll never forget the front magnetic L plate flying off at 115mph. Passed my test and then had a couple of rubbish Fords which made me realise how good the Peugeot was, so bought myself a nearly new silver 1.6 GTi (E556 UGK) and then two nearly new 1.9 GTis - a white one (F632 BOJ) and then a red one (G283 OGW). Colleagues of the time had XR3is, XR2s, RS Turbos, Astra GTEs and R5 GT Turbos. Only the R5 came close, IMO. Then got all sensible and bought a house, so had cars which were a bit less fun and a bit less expensive for a few years.
Had some great times in those cars. Many track days, toured Scotland and France, went to Le Mans 24 hours a couple of times. Every journey involved a 'race' of some description. My brother had a silver 1.9 GTi (E252 DPE) and a mate had a graphite grey 1.9 (E183 BMR) followed by a white 1.9 (F552 SLJ).
We'd drive miles and miles in them just for fun. We'd go down to the coast 'just for a drink' or to Wales 'just for a drive'. Those were the days! Looking back, I didn't realise how lucky a boy I was between age 17 and 22. Spanked most of my hard earned on the repayments though :-/
I have used several 205's in various incarnations both as a daily drive and track day toy for the last few years. Standard 1.6, MI16 and GTI-6 powered.
My current road car evolution as pictured.
265 bhp with the supercharged 6 retains the old school fun and looks of the original with the ability to surprise modern hatches.
It's been nice reading this thread to see the appreciation held by the car but somewhat surprising as at the recent SS at Oxford the car didn't get a single glance let alone a second one.
TonyHetherington said:
Psimpson7 said:
Edited to add. handily Tony, while my 91 had the spoiler it didnt have the red boot trim
Was it aftermarket then, I assume? I don't know, but always saw the red boot trim used with those spoilers so assumed it was that they went together?You can see the rest of it on my white rusty one on the last page.
The red reflector was another optional extra.
britsportscars said:
rallycross said:
BountyHunter said:
add in a Corrado VR6 and Elan SE and it would be.
Yep, that's what I was gonna add.Plus the Clio Williams itself, of course.
Edited by joz8968 on Wednesday 30th March 11:12
300bhp/ton said:
Motorrad said:
Packaging wise they are brilliant. You can carry 4 adults in one no problem, the ergonomics were good for me despite little in the way of adjustment and you can fit loads of stuff in them with the rear seat down all in a relatively small footprint. As I value function as much as form I'm a big fan of their design as it's just a brilliant bit of car manufacturing.
But does that not describe 100% of all hatchbacks?? 
Midgster said:
Oh the memories! Just loved those red carpets!
LOL, yeah.Midgster said:
I had a 1984 1.6 GTi in Silver when I was 18 back in 1991, very rare (for a 1984)...
Ah yes, silver - forgot about that colour. Did the 1.9 come in it too?Midgster said:
I was a bit sad, as I desperately wanted a 1.9 but couldn't afford one, so I just bought some 1.9 alloys and the 1.9 badges and just pretended it was a 1.9, until someone would ask why it was on a B plate....to which I would reply it was a private plate. 
Did you have the 1.9 alloys too, to 'complete' the illusion. 
Midgster said:
Did anyone else have a wobbly speedo?..the needle would shake 5mph either side of the actual speed! LOL
Yep! Common trait on the 205 (certainly, of all the 205s I'd been in). Mine did it (pissed me right off! LOL).Edited by joz8968 on Wednesday 30th March 11:14
collateral said:
OlberJ said:
Worn, stretched speedo cable, cheap to replace but a bugger to get at.
iirc the consensus was it was due to them being designed to be LHD so the cable was routed stupidly for us rightiesI think a Gti6 conversion would make a great update to make an old 205 - to transform it into a useable daily runaround today.
I've had a few 306 Gti-6 and its a great engine, just like a modern version of the 1.9 with a bit more more go and an extra gear making it good on the motorway.
Carl at CG motors has done a few of them I bet they are great to drive, might even get rid of that jerkyness 205's always seem to suffer on and off the throttle.
I've had a few 306 Gti-6 and its a great engine, just like a modern version of the 1.9 with a bit more more go and an extra gear making it good on the motorway.
Carl at CG motors has done a few of them I bet they are great to drive, might even get rid of that jerkyness 205's always seem to suffer on and off the throttle.
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