PEUGEOT 205 GTi 1.9

This is a very well known car and thought to be the earliest right hand drive 1.9 in existence, based on the build/VIN records of PSOOC. It is also understood to be the second 1.9 registered in the UK, in January 1987, before any of the UK magazines published their road tests. It has been owned by a well-known motoring journalist for 11 years. It has appeared in several motoring publications. Andrew Frankel used it for an Autocar story celebrating the 205 GTI plus a video on the Autocar website and it also won Frankel’s Hot Hatch World Cup feature. It then appeared in a twin-test with a pre-production 208 GTI in France. Other magazine appearances are Evo (top six in the ‘best front-wheel-drive driver’s cars’ group test and a twin test with an Abarth 500 EsseEsse), Classic and Sportscar (a hot 205s group test) and Octane (Octane Cars and a buying guide). It illustrated an Autocar buying guide too. It has taken part in a Practical Classics hot-hatch triple test. It also appeared regularly in Octane magazine, whilst under the custodianship of a former owner.

In 2011 it had some bodywork refreshment at Peugeot UK’s workshop prior to display in the company’s foyer, and the following year some more work was done by Robin Dalwood, former bodyshop manager of Porsche specialist Autofarm. The bodywork is in very good condition with no rust issues. The 205 has covered 126,000 miles. The engine has never been apart and is very healthy, with negligible oil consumption and a very low MOT hydrocarbon reading. It has always been filled with synthetic oil. The gearbox is similarly fit, and all four dampers have been replaced with new, genuine Peugeot items over recent years.

There is a very thick folder of bills for parts and a record of work done, plus the Peugeot service history from its early life. All handbooks are present. The car is serviced at least once per year, so is ‘on the button’. Last year the car went through a major service at Pug One Off in Northamptonshire. The car has just come back from a minor service, which included an oil and other fluids change, cleaning injectors, new water pump and belt, and a fresh 12 months MOT. Tyres are brand new Pirellis, the exhaust system is recent and the headlights are new Lucas items. The original SEV-Marchal units, with slightly corroded reflectors, will go with the car.

The interior is in excellent condition with uncracked leather. It has remote central locking with alarm, electric windows and a sunroof (with properly-working seal) but no power steering. Consequently the steering feel in a fast bend is superb. The parcel shelf is original and undamaged, and the radio is also believed to be original. This is a factory-spec, correct 205 GTI 1.9 which looks terrific and is hugely entertaining to drive. As a Phase 1 version it represents the fast-appreciating 205 GTI as originally conceived, and as seemingly the earliest remaining 1.9 in the UK it represents a compelling piece of history with strong provenance.

The vehicle is available to be viewed in Kent by appointment.