Le Résurrection of le petit 205 1.9 GTI
Discussion
Tasked by a family friend to assist with the nursing back to life of her beloved Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI. I yearned to own one of these as a 17 year old so more than happy to help!
Purchased new in 1990 when she lived in Antibes, she parked it in a friend's garage in Northolt (for those who know NW London, it's slightly different to the South of France!). There it has lived, preserved, for over 10 years when she moved back to Cyprus (where she also has an off-the-road garaged 30k mile 1997 Mercedes SLK).
She has great stories of driving it through the Alps on the weekends. I love that it has the original window stickers, booklets - and even a map under the seat open at a page showing the French Riviera.
It's now with a trusted expert mechanic, sympathetically giving it a full mechanical overhaul. We then have to decide if it stays on the original French numberplates (pressed metal nonetheless), or if we register it in the UK.
Looking forward to sharing Le Résurrection!
Purchased new in 1990 when she lived in Antibes, she parked it in a friend's garage in Northolt (for those who know NW London, it's slightly different to the South of France!). There it has lived, preserved, for over 10 years when she moved back to Cyprus (where she also has an off-the-road garaged 30k mile 1997 Mercedes SLK).
She has great stories of driving it through the Alps on the weekends. I love that it has the original window stickers, booklets - and even a map under the seat open at a page showing the French Riviera.
It's now with a trusted expert mechanic, sympathetically giving it a full mechanical overhaul. We then have to decide if it stays on the original French numberplates (pressed metal nonetheless), or if we register it in the UK.
Looking forward to sharing Le Résurrection!
Nice. This thread would probably get more engagement if you asked the mods to move it to Readers' Cars https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
I think this can be done by reporting this thread to the mods and asking them to move it.
I think this can be done by reporting this thread to the mods and asking them to move it.
The 205 is now safely with our expert technician, in fellow French company with his Renault 5 GT Turbo, undergoing its sympathetic resurgence.
Some not great quality pics of where it was living undisturbed for over a decade. Tucked away from salty wet roads, the bodywork is in great condition. It was quite exciting to uncover it for the first time.
Some not great quality pics of where it was living undisturbed for over a decade. Tucked away from salty wet roads, the bodywork is in great condition. It was quite exciting to uncover it for the first time.
Galveston said:
That’s wonderful - what a lovely thing.
They’re such a joy to drive, and an absolutely timeless shape.
Haven't got to drive it yet but definitely agreed on the shape. As much as I love modern cars and appreciate the technological and performance developments, this era of 80s release hot hatch hasn't been repeated. As big as it needs to be with usable, fun performance and timeless iconic styling that we see manufacturers are still integrating in the latest models. They’re such a joy to drive, and an absolutely timeless shape.
14 April 2025 we moved the car from its resting place to my mechanic friend of 30 years. He's a car genius (having held lead technician role at one of the biggest manufacturers), including supercharging his turbocharged R5 and turbocharging a Clio Williams, hand fabricating parts himself. There's nothing he doesn't know about engines.
Edited by p1stony on Saturday 28th March 09:59
The iconic 15 inch Speedline wheels have been superbly refurbished (maybe even better than they originally looked!) and we fitted new Pirelli tyres - one of two options we found they would have been when new.
Coming upto almost a year, a lot of new parts have been fitted but happy to report that most have been service type (I'll list them separately). Loving in Antibes then being dry stored for over a decade in the UK, the chassis and body are in superb condition. Certainly wouldn't have been the case if it has spent his younger years on UK roads.
Edited by p1stony on Saturday 28th March 10:02
I can't upload a video so here's a screenshot of the video
. 4 weeks ago. First time it had been started in over a decade! It revealed a few (expected) gremlins so a few more parts ordered and being installed. We anticipate only a couple more weeks before we're on the road. Excited!!Thanks for the replies. Will be posting more updates and photos soon.
Life separated my friend from her little car, hence the hibernation. We're definitely thinking that it needs to stay on the original French plates and head back home. I'm hoping to make that journey myself in the driver's seat. It would be amazing to drive it through France after all these years - plus it's the iconic 1.9 205!
Life separated my friend from her little car, hence the hibernation. We're definitely thinking that it needs to stay on the original French plates and head back home. I'm hoping to make that journey myself in the driver's seat. It would be amazing to drive it through France after all these years - plus it's the iconic 1.9 205!
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