Turbocharged Peugeot 205 GTI for sale
Tolman-beating power from this fully restored icon...
Here we go again. Yet another Peugeot 205 GTI spotted…yawn, yawn, yawn. I know we’ve written about these a million times, but here’s the thing: the Peugeot 205 GTI is one of the all-time classic hot hatches. Most of you don't need me to point that out, of course, and probably the only reason it wasn’t crowned the PH best hot hatch of the last 25 years in our PH25 series is because, well, it’s pushing on a bit now. The other reasons why this car in particular – coming to you courtesy of the Hertford Car Company – is worth a mention is that a) it’s been restored to what could possibly be described as magical condition without resorting to hyperbole, and b) it’s got a ‘special’ switch. And we’d all love one of those, wouldn’t we?
As we know, the old naturally aspirated XU dog in the nose would’ve been putting out 105hp from the factory in 1.6 guise, or 115bhp if it was a later car. I assume this was originally a 1.6 because that’s the quoted power in the default spec box. Anyway, that was a tidy amount but cars wearing the hallowed 1.9 badge (as this one does now) were the ones that got kids like me, who grew up in the ‘80s, slobbering like a well-used Saint Bernard. A box-fresh 1.9 put out 130hp, and considering the 205 weighs less than Banquo’s soul from Mac…oops, the Scottish play...it was deemed properly quick back then.
This one doesn’t have 130hp, though. It has 150hp thanks to some healthy turbocharged lungs, which is more than enough. Or is it? Because going back to the ‘special’ switch, when you give that a flick it swaps the ECU’s neural pathways onto to another map. This we could term the DEFCON 1 map, because apparently it ramps up the firepower to an almighty 280hp. That’s 80hp more than the Tolman Edition we wrote about at the end of last year, and that was described by Stephen Dobie as unrepentant in its forward momentum. Heaven knows what 280hp will feel like then.
So the engine's the headline act or the party piece, whatever you want to call it, and that's had £15,000 spent on it alone according to the advert. But there’s more to this car, though. It’s described as having undergone a 'nut and bolt' restoration five years ago – the was work done by The Hertford Car Company – and only 500 of the total 100,000-odd miles it’s covered in total have been added since the upgrades. It’s not even run-in, then. I can only go by the photographs, but looking through them shows this car to be Extra Strong mint. Paintwork, rubbers, leather work, carpets etc. all look in exceptional condition, although I did spot the off-side-front indicator housing needs realigning. I am sure the vendor would be happy to sort that out for you if you ask nicely.
The other thing is this car isn’t silly money at £24,995. Yes, I am aware that’s a lot of money for a 205 GTI but GTIs are a valuable commodity these days, and a restomod Tolman is double that – upwards of £55,000 in some cases. The original engine is also supplied with the car should you wish to chance your arm at Pebble Beach one day. I’m hoping that picture number 18 is a ‘guess the car’ competition – even a dimwit like me knows 205 GTIs never came with rear doors – and the prize if you guess right is you win this car.
That’s just wishful thinking, I suspect, but you could try it just in case. At the very least it’s a good game if the weather’s rubbish and you’re bored over Easter - but then again, how could you be bored staring longingly at one of the prettiest cars – at least one of the prettiest everyday cars – ever built.
Specification | Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI (standard spec)
Engine: 1,905cc, four cylinder, naturally aspirated
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 130 @ 6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 118 @ 4,750rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 104,000
Year registered: 1993
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £24,995
I friend of mine had a new 205 GTi 1.9 which he had fitted with a Dimma body kit and a Turbo Technics twin-stage turbo conversion
It lasted about 6 months before he turned it into an unrecognisable heap of metal (he was in his very early 20’s and thought he was a Peugeot works rally driver…
I wonder if anyone can remember the output of those TT cars, if standard was 130bhp and the low boost was about 150bhp it would be a huge jump to the alledged figures of this car, I’d have thought 175bhp back in the day would be about right?
Unless they've popped a LSD on, changed the gearbox and gone to town on the chassis this at 280bhp would make the Stig wince.
Loved my 205 GTi but it never felt like it needed double the power.
Think I'd save extra and go for the Tolman.
These cars are all about balance rather than rocket like straight line performance, and I’d be sceptical about the viability of putting that much power through the front wheels with no traction aids, even on modern tyres. I think I’d rather stick with an original car, or go down the Mi16/GTi6 engine swap route if I wanted a bit more power.
I reckon it's reputation for spinning off the road was cars on older worn tyres, tired suspension, and driven without care. If you couldn't drive a 205 GTI quickly, then you were probably the sort of lad who was better suited to the 4-wheel drive rally-rep cars.
I will never get bored of reading PH articles on the little Pug.
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