Peugeot 205 Rallye: Spotted
You could spend lots of money on a GTI, or you could spend lots of money on something even more special...
There are certain traits that tend to make cars more exciting to UK enthusiasts. One of those is that of the homologation special, those cars produced for the sole purpose of fulfilling motorsport competition regulations. Because, well, everybody loves a racing car - especially a successful one - and so if there's a road car available with a tangible link to one then we're going to be interested.
The second trait likely to get fast car fans in Britain all giddy is being left-hand drive only. Yes, it's impractical, but to us it tends to look exotic; forbidden fruit on four wheels that we probably shouldn't have, yet are very glad that we do. Think BMW E30 M3, Lancia Delta Integrale, Ford GT and so on.
Now, while the European 205 Rallye doesn't quite conform to those rules - because it was never officially offered in the UK - the opportunity to buy one over here is too good an opportunity to pass up. It was only ever left-hand drive, it was built specifically for 1,300cc rallying and, if anything, its stellar reputation was only ever helped by the limp right-hand drive equivalent offered in the UK.
Come to think of it, that XR drag queen of a Rallye was about as bad as the breed ever got - the rest were all superb. Both the 106s and the solitary 306 version were fantastic cars, lighter and even wilder than their GTI brethren, and there's an argument to say this little 205 conforms to that belief as well. So much of the 205 GTI legend is in its immediacy and flighty agility, yet here is a car that's 100kg lighter than a 1.6. The Rallye's kerb weight is 794kg; the lightest dry weight of an Elise Cup 250 is 860kg. Furthermore, while both GTIs use fuel injected engines, the Rallye has the old school, boisterous charm of twin Weber carbs. Power is very close to the 1.6 GTI at 103hp, it so will feel comfortably quicker with the substantial weight loss.
The Rallye's reputation amongst a select few, plus the obvious rarity of being import-only, and the appreciation of GTIs, means they're worth a pretty penny. Especially good ones like this, recently brought over from Spain and with just 38,000 miles recorded. Work undertaken and mentioned in the ad includes new tyres, filters, oil and plugs, as well as a respray six years ago and a reupholstered interior. While it would be hoped that all Rallyes that have made it this far have been reasonably well looked after, this must be one of the best.
Need further convincing? We spoke to a former Rallye owner (who now has an Integra Type R - nice work Nick) who described it as "special" - no surprise there - saying it has the sense "of driving something with a purpose, even when you just pop to the shops". Naturally the twin carb set up came in for praise (even if setting them up can be tricky), as well as Peugeot's recent recognition of the 205 as a classic making parts easier to come by. So while words like "brittle", "thin" and "niche" are also used around the car, the Rallye certainly ticks a lot of boxes for those sufficiently committed.
Which is all rather skirting around the subject somewhat: it's £17,995. For those who can remember not being able to give away 205 GTIs, that figure will be astonishing. But it's really a reflection of how the market stands; this automatic CTI with more miles than the Rallye is on sale at £15k...
So although it's a lot of money for not a lot of car, the 205 Rallye must surely be one of the best examples of how exciting these cars from the past now seem. Stripped out road racers never seem to sell well new because of how uncompromising they are - see the Megane R26.R, M3 CSL and Series 1 106 Rallye - yet become revered in time when buyers realise such cars won't happen again. The 205 Rallye is one of the rawest and most intense there was, so don't be surprised to find it even more in demand as time passes.
SPECIFICATION - PEUGEOT 205 RALLYE
Engine: 1,294cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 103@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 89@5,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 38,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £17,995
See the original advert here.
And I do hate it when dealers (even more private individuals) feel the need to copy and paste the history of the model.
The market is coming down at the moment so this is silly money in the current climate.
I have one of these, a mint phase 1 with 40 000 km and no resprays. I’ve been offered twice the asking price of this car. It’s hard to explain, since it has such humble beginnings, but this is easily one of the greatest cars I’ve ever driven; it makes even something like the R26.R feel aloof by comparison.
Literally everything that could be removed (save the rear seat) was removed and everything that couldn’t was replaced with lighter alternatives. I don’t know if the actual differential to the 1.6 is 100kg, I thought it was closer to 70. But still.
Would love one of these, but insane prices as one of the other posters has said. The weakening of the pound over the last 5 years makes the continental prices look artificially high. These are aplenty on the continent, easy enough with some careful planning to go and fetch one from over there, as there are still some for less than 10K.
I have considered doing the very same, but you still have the issue of left hand drive, and also with that kind of value, would you really want to drive it? it would be a car to go in the garage and not see much action.
The principal of a 795kg 205 with a small capacity, light alloy block engine and masterful handing is achievable through other 205 models as a base and then working towards the Rallye set up as a goal, for a lot less money and much more enjoyment.
I suspect, and correct me if I am wrong, it would be fairly simple to create something comparable (or better) to your own spec for less if you want a similar back to basics experience ?
I know it wouldn't be an official one but it could still be pretty fantastic, can still get a serviceable 3 door (not GTI) for not a lot.
I suspect, and correct me if I am wrong, it would be fairly simple to create something comparable (or better) to your own spec for less if you want a similar back to basics experience ?
I know it wouldn't be an official one but it could still be pretty fantastic, can still get a serviceable 3 door (not GTI) for not a lot.
https://m.mobile.de/auto-inserat/peugeot-205-1-9-r...
Like the rhd version, Not as hardcore as the twin carb but a low poke 1.9 engine
I suspect, and correct me if I am wrong, it would be fairly simple to create something comparable (or better) to your own spec for less if you want a similar back to basics experience ?
I know it wouldn't be an official one but it could still be pretty fantastic, can still get a serviceable 3 door (not GTI) for not a lot.
The TU2J2 from the S1 106 Rallye would make a good combo, or a 1.6 GTI engine with a pair of twin carbs.
Seriously, you could buy this 106 Quiksilver, strip it out, add shouty bits along with some coil overs and I bet it wouldn’t feel a million miles away from that 205 and it would stand you at about 1/5th the price.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Now, I know someone is going to come along and say “No no no, that’s nonesense because the 205 is a homologation special, there were only a handful produced by Peugeot’s finest blah blah blah” and to that I say bull. If you think £17,995 is worth it for that POS then out your money where your mouth is!
I suspect, and correct me if I am wrong, it would be fairly simple to create something comparable (or better) to your own spec for less if you want a similar back to basics experience ?
I know it wouldn't be an official one but it could still be pretty fantastic, can still get a serviceable 3 door (not GTI) for not a lot.
The TU2J2 from the S1 106 Rallye would make a good combo, or a 1.6 GTI engine with a pair of twin carbs.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/peugeot/peugeot-106-gti/...
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