Which was the best GTi?

I thought I’d let you see a lovely 1990 hot hatch that has come to us for a few bits of work.

The Peugeot 205 launched in 1983 as the company’s replacement for the distinctly average 104.  It only took until 1984 to win What Car’s Car of The Year.

The same year they gave us the 205 GTi in 1.6l 105HP form.  It was an instant hit with a revvy fuel injected engine.  But what marked it apart was the handling.

The 205 GTI felt and behaved more like a go-kart.  Despite being an FWD car, it was so cleverly developed that it was more responsive, nimble, and thrilling to drive than more expensive sports cars.

It only weighed 850kg, so wouldn’t offer much crash protection.  It offered ‘extreme’ lift off oversteer – many were crashed in a panic.  But once you know that you can easily cancel it out with more power.

A proper hooligan car – the sort of thing that has been legislated out of production a long time ago.

Then they brought out the 1.9 GTi, with 130HP.  It’s a lazier/ torquier engine and you can hustle along nicely.

These cars will seem simply unbelievable to future generations.  They aren’t fast in comparison to your average electric car, 0.60 for 1.6 is around 8.5 sec, 1 sec quicker for the 1.9.

But it’s the driver involvement, the fingertip control, you feeling the fronts digging satisfyingly into the tarmac through your fingertips.  Something the playstation generation will never have felt.

In 15 years Peugeot sold 5.2 million of these beauties and they saved the company.

That GTi fluidity and handling made it into the whole Peugeot range.  205, 309 and 405 were all a joy to drive.  The glory days are behind us.  The 205 and the cars that followed saved Peugeot – until it went all bland again a decade later!

Anyway, here are the photos of this excellent 1.9GTi.

Scroll down and click on a photo to open the gallery.

Oh it puts a big grin on my face to see one!

The car is in for a cambelt change, brake work and a machine polish.

Thanks,
Neil @ Carrosserie
Tel: 01833 630 011

PS. If your classic needs work the contact us and let us know.