Friday 11th January 2013

Autosport YKYWT: Peugeot 205 T16

205 T16 up for auction tomorrow at Autosport - you know you want to...

---

'Homologation' is an evocative word for the likes of us. An obligation to sell road versions of cars intended for competition has produced some of the most iconic models ever known. The Ferrari 250 GTO, Lancia Delta Integrale, BMW M3 and Ford Sierra RS500 are just four hero cars that spring to mind; there are many others held in similar regard.

Spot the difference with a normal GTI

Owing to the wild nature of the competition vehicles the Group B homologation specials were something special though. The Audi Sport Quattro, Ford RS200 and Porsche 959 were all slated for Group B, with huge investment from their respective manufacturers in an attempt to succeed in the pinnacle of world rallying. But even in this company the Peugeot 205 T16 stands out.

Peugeot was utterly uncompromising in its pursuit of Group B success with the T16. Its delicate front-wheel drive supermini became a mid-engined rally rocket with 4WD. Moreover, the 205 T16 remains hugely significant as the most successful Group B car ever; it took the 1985 and 1986 Drivers' and Constructors' World Rally Championships, beating Lancia and Audi.

200 roadgoing 205 T16s were homologated by Peugeot for its Group B campaign. Though producing around half the power of the Evo 2 rally cars at 200hp, the road cars retained the complex all-wheel-drive system that proved so effective in competition. It features three differentials and a 34:66 front-to-rear torque split with viscous coupling to alter the amount of power each wheel receives.

Probably slower than a GTI but still cool

This particular T16 has covered just 4,000 miles since 1985, so it can probably be assumed that advanced drivetrain hasn't been significantly overworked, or even enjoyed for that matter. Just two names have been on the ownership papers in that time also.

Coys will be auctioning the car this Saturday at its auction as part of the Autosport International Show. So if you are at the NEC for the Performance Car Show, get a catalogue and head along. And if you can't stretch to the 205 T16 (estimate £68-£75,000), the auction features a wealth of more affordable automotive lots. From signed photographs to a Ferrari paperweight to a Rizla thermometer, this weekend's auction is a veritable treasure chest for any petrolhead. The Peugeot 205 T16 is just one of many jewels it contains.

---

Peugeot 205 T16 (1985)
Price: Auction lot, estimate £68-£75,000
Why you should: It's a production version of the most successful Group B car ever made.
Why you shouldn't: Perhaps now too collectible to actually be driven, especially at 4,000 miles and £70,000!

See the original advert here.

And check out the full Coys auction catalogue for Saturday here

 

 

 

[silverthorn2151]

Oh my. An extra ticket for tonight's draw methinks.

The heady days of Group B in the forests or at the Rallycross Grand Prix at Brands.

Never will there be a better noise!

[richb77]

One of the greatest french cars homologated to insanity. What isnt there to like about it?

Looks good in Noir too!

[silverthorn2151]

Just seen there is a lovely 6R4 in the sale as well! Make that 2 tickets!

[scholesy]

This is lovely, but then I think of how good an Audi Ur Quattro that money would buy, and the Audi wins it for me in the retro rally car-alike stakes

[Ollieb7]

Suspicious it is missing it's red stripes on front / sides - been a wee prang perhaps?

[R66STU]

How much did these cost new ? any ideas ?

[Oddball RS]

Ollieb7 said:

Suspicious it is missing it's red stripes on front / sides - been a wee prang perhaps?

I didn't think they came in Black either.

[PunterCam]

scholesy said:

This is lovely, but then I think of how good an Audi Ur Quattro that money would buy, and the Audi wins it for me in the retro rally car-alike stakes

You won't get a proper short wheel base sport for less than £150k these days though, and that's the only one on the same level of cool as this!

[GTRene]

lovely little monsters.

[SimonSaid]

One of my favourite cars of all time, and looks spectacular in black. I'll be there tomorrow drooling over this for most of the day.

[NAS]

Oddball RS said:

Ollieb7 said:

Suspicious it is missing it's red stripes on front / sides - been a wee prang perhaps?

I didn't think they came in Black either.

They didn't. All came in dark grey.

[itz_baseline]

Ah, the car that spawned the 'Dimma' body kits which I loved so much when I was 15. You were a God back in them days if you had a Dimma body kit.

[iva cosworth]

NAS said:

Oddball RS said:

Ollieb7 said:

Suspicious it is missing it's red stripes on front / sides - been a wee prang perhaps?

I didn't think they came in Black either.

They didn't. All came in dark grey.

An awful colour,why didn't Peugeot just go with white ?

[ugg10]

Given the current retail for RS200 and 6R4's are in the £100k's and Quatros even more and don't even as about the Stratos/Montecarlo, if this goes for the estimate I'd class that as a bargain, bet on this going over the £100k mark anyone !

[pSyCoSiS]

Now that looks like a proper raw machine.

If my numbers came up, that most certainly wold be in my collection!

[Krikkit]

iva cosworth said:

NAS said:

Oddball RS said:

Ollieb7 said:

Suspicious it is missing it's red stripes on front / sides - been a wee prang perhaps?

I didn't think they came in Black either.

They didn't. All came in dark grey.

An awful colour,why didn't Peugeot just go with white ?

Pretty iconic colour if you ask me - if I bought a 205 I'd want it in this colour:


So what's happened to this one on offer to have suffered a respray? Lovely cars though, I'd have one in a heartbeat if my numbers came up.

[Tim16V]

Love that!

I do recall a UK buyer acquiring a mint ultra low mileage silver Lancia Delta S4 a few years ago. It was so low mileage and hadn't been run for a good while, so rather than start it up and risk engine annihilation he was going to get the engine rebuilt in Italy first...might be worth a thought here in the circumstances!

[Ollieb7]

NAS said:

They didn't. All came in dark grey.

I would have agreed but then i remembered this original advert thinking these were two black cars..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23574881@N06/42762342...

or is it gray in a dark room..

[yellowstreak]

silverthorn2151 said:

Just seen there is a lovely 6R4 in the sale as well! Make that 2 tickets!

Me too! Much prefer the 6R4, and this one is the full 400bhp spec.. nice. Manly, manly car.

[hoban81]