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Whilst VW may have invented the ‘hot hatch’, Peugeot completely nailed the genre in 1984 with the introduction of the 205 GTi. The motoring world was stunned by the fluid ride and fantastic handling and ensured that Peugeot stayed at the forefront of the market for more than 10 years, with the 306 continuing the high praise.
This is one of the genuine Phase 1.5 Special Edition cars (1200 in total, split equally 4 ways between 1.6/1.9 and Sorrento Green/Miami Blue) and is not to be confused with later Phase 2 cars that had Miami Blue offered as part of the standard colour choices. The Special Edition came highly equipped with full grey leather seats, electric windows, PAS and a large glass sliding sunroof. Being a Phase 1.5, the car is also equipped with the 115hp non-cat engine which provides the great revvy experience that people covet in the 1.6.
This example is extremely rare in that it has only had one private owner having previously been registered as a demo for the suppling dealer, Yenton. Mrs W. having already retired, part exchanged her existing 205 for this Miami Blue special edition and the bill of sale shows she paid £9250 in 1992. She used the car sparingly and lovingly for the next 26 years, averaging less than 2000 miles a year bringing the mileage today to a warranted 50000 miles. The car was only sold as she was sadly no longer able to drive.
On the outside, the car gleams beautifully and attracts much admiration. It retains all of its original bronze tinted glass including some nice touches such as ‘Clarion Security’ stickers as well as the supplying dealer sticker on the tailgate glass. The registration plates also adorn the suppling dealer name. The wheels are immaculate with the correct diamond cut centres. Needless to say, there is no rust on the car. There is the odd scuff and blemish as would be expected from an original, unrestored car but it is in fantastic condition overall.
The inside of the car is equally excellent condition. The leather seats are in fine fettle with no cracking or splitting and everything works, including the vacuum sealing sunroof. There is a slight compression of the thigh bolster foam on the driver’s side seat, some scuffing on the electric window button bezels and the volume button is missing on the original Clarion stereo, but these are very minor points in an overwhelmingly pleasant environment.
Mechanically, the car is in fine fettle starting without issues and unusually for these, settles to a steady idle quite quickly. Moving off, the gearchange is slick and perfectly complements the free revving 1.6 engine, which itself pulls well and exhibits no untoward noises. It really is a delight to drive on the open road, the steering is full of feeling, the ride compliant, the brakes are strong and the handling inspires confidence, no doubt in some part to the fitment of Pirelli tyres all round. It will also sit on the motorway at some speed without issue.
All the original book packs are available with the service book showing early service history then from the supplying dealer and a significant number of invoices over the later years. We have also carried out a full service and cambelt change, as well as changing all the copper brake lines. The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the jump in mileage a few years ago – this is when the binnacle was replaced. There is documentation to support this and additionally we have the old binnacle which allows us to confidently warrant the true mileage. Naturally, the car is 100% HPI clear.
The debates of 1.6 vs 1.9 have largely become academic in recent years with prospective owners seeking the best condition, low mileage examples of either variant. Whilst it would be disingenuous to describe this car as mint, it surely is one of the best on the market and will represent a fantastic purchase for any buyer.
