1989 Peugeot 205 GTi | £9,500

An instant success when launched in the early 1980s, the 205 turned Peugeot’s fortunes around, with over 5 million cars sold during its 15-year production run.

When Peugeot later released the 205 GTI in 1984, little did they know this simple recipe would re-define the hot hatch, and captivate the hearts of those who now remember the 205 GTI fondly.

This car started life in Peugeot's Mulhouse plant on 13th January 1989, and promptly registered in the UK on 9th February 1989 as F97KBW to the excited new owner of the era's first and arguably finest hot hatch, in top spec 1.9 litre form.

After several years, F97 KBW was taxed Dalton in Furness in November 2000 before being sold to a friend here in Northern Ireland, with the intention of modifying and restoring it to former glory. Little did he know that process would take over 20 years to complete!

The car had been partially stripped before it retired to a lock-up for a number of years, finally seeing daylight again in 2010 when I stepped in to bring it out of retirement.

The car would need many parts to complete it, the chief of these was an engine and gearbox. I struck pure gold in Feb 2010 when a lightly damaged phase 1 Xsara VTS came up for sale only a few hundred yards away, and the owner, who had originally intended to gut it for his CTi, agreed the sale of BKZ1393 which would provide the heart and soul of this car.

After a year and a half, and many adventures with wiring looms, driveshafts, brakes, steering, engine mounts, exhaust fabrication and finding an interior for the car, F97 KBW rolled out of the garage and towards an MoT centre in April 2011.

The work didn't stop there. It was apparent after a few bouncy road miles the suspension needed overhaul, so a set of Koni adjustable shocks fitted, and with new drop links, bushes and uprated rear Anti-roll bar the pug finally handled.

In July 2012 the rear beam was overhauled with new bushes, bearings and seals from Regency Peugeot in Newtownards, and replaced sat on stiffer mounts to dial out the infamous lift off oversteer.

To prove the extra performance, it competed in the 2013 Croft Hill climb in Holywood Co. Down, coming 6th in class and beating other 205s, a Maserati and VX220 up the hill. Results sheet included.

History & Paperwork:

Same owner last 13 years, lots of receipts and MoT certs
Documented history back to 2000, nothing before then
Donor vehicle history known
MoT until Aug 2024, no advisories
V5 present
One key, with working alarm fob
Reg stamped on glass

Interior:

Electric windows
Red GTi carpets and mats in good condition. Small tear in carpet beneath passenger seat.
New leather gearstick gaiter and new gear knob
Good phase 2 seats, seat bolsters in good condition, only slight flattening on drivers side.
Grey phase 1.5 interior plastics in good condition but minor marks on dashboard, and A pillar plastics cracked.
Very bright interior with the long sliding sunroof which works as it should and doesn't leak.
New windscreen for great visibility.
Modern Bluetooth DAB head unit, Kenwood component speakers in doors.
Driver's seat tilting mechanism removed to lower and remove wobbliness. Easy access to the rear via passenger seat tilt. Better for taller drivers.
GTi steering wheel connected to Xsara rack more responsive over GTi item (2.4 turns lock to lock).
Parcel shelf present, however has speaker holes
Battery relocated to the boot to improve weight distribution.

Exterior:

Stunning Miami blue paint in great condition after recent glass out respray. 2 small marks on front left valence.
Plastics in great condtion, apart from a repair on the front bumper
1.9 15" alloys professionally refurbished, sat on Toyo T1Rs
New front fog lights
New pressed aluminium numberplates
New rear quarter stickers
Rear wash/wipe delete
Rust behind headlights cut out and replaced during 2011 refurb, and still good. Roof rust spots repaired and treated prior to respray. Sills and underbody is original but solid.

Mechanical:

Xsara VTS engine and gearbox have 105k miles and running well. Running stock management.
BMC carbon air box efficient with cold air feed
All belts changed before engine/box fitted (12k miles ago)
Xsara PAS rack in good condition, steering responsive with no play
Engine on stiffer mounts to minimise movement. Comes with softer engine mount though.
Exhaust has no leaks, new back box for MoT
Handling excellent through refurbished rear beam, koni sport dampers, uprated rear ARB, wider track.
Slight sag in drivers door, comes with new top hinge pin (not yet fitted)
New brake discs all round, braided brake lines replacing perishable rubber, larger Xsara VTS front brakes, matching 406 non-ABS master cylinder.

Summary:

This is a fun, practical, fast yet easy to live with modern classic which hides serious performance. It turns heads everywhere, and with instant power delivery and razor sharp handling will surprise many other drivers, and leave standard 205s in its wake.

An iconic hot hatch in the best colour, which is more than capable of taking on competition at the weekend, yet turning heads at a car show.