1991 Peugeot 205 GTi – Project Profile
November 21, 2019
The hot hatch is the embodiment of driving fun. It offers minimal fuss with maximum fun. Light, agile, revvy and with a terrier-like willingness to make a dart for the horizon, a hot hatch is a car to put a smile on your face no matter what your destination. They’re wheeled proof that you don’t need a V12 and Italian lineage to have fun. You just need decent handling and a nice glob of power, every horse of which is accessible.
The car that started this movement off properly was of course the might Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTi of the late 1970’s. It was all the things mentioned above, and we fell in love with it. But this motivated the other manufacturers to get involved – why should VW have all the fun and all the sales? There was the XR range from Ford, the GTE range from Vauxhall and of course, this, the mighty Peugeot 205 GTi. A car, little did Peugeot know, that would set the hot hatch benchmark.
Launched in 1984, the 205 GTi was first offered with a 1.6 four-cylinder engine with 104bhp, however, this was improved as of 1987 thanks to a reworked cylinder head with bigger valves, resulting in 115bhp. And of course, there was the mighty 1.9, which was largely the same engine as the 1.6 but with altered, longer stroke to increase the capacity. It also had an oil-cooler and a slightly different fuel injection system. The 1.9 kicked out 125bhp before being fitted with a catalytic converter in 1991, which strangled it down to 120bhp.
The 205GTi was a hit from the off. The stiff, three-door body, the tight chassis, the impressive braking and steering – Peugeot had taken the idea of a hot hatch and defined what it should be. It was the stuff of legend, and it drove in a way that everyone, including Peugeot itself, has been trying to capture ever since.
What is it?
The car you’re looking at here is actually quite a late-build car, given it’s a 1991. However, this is a good thing, as it means its 1.6 engine will be the 115bhp version. Finished in rare Laser Green, this car seems to have been upgraded at some point in its life, given that it has half leather trim (normally the reserve of the 1.9). It sits on a set of original 14 Speedline SL201 14-inch alloys (the 1.9 had 15 Speedline rims) and all in all, it looks like a decent car.
The 205, like all hot hatches of the era, had two significant extinction events to avoid. First, there were the people who bought them cheap and then glued all manner of ‘go faster’ nonsense to them. These cars often ended up in Police impound yards or wrapped around local street furniture. Then there was the fact the 205, like its peers, was a doddle to steal. So they were stolen. A lot. Then factor in the rust, the scrappage scheme and so on, and you can see why numbers are now dwindling. But that’s why you should save this car.
Why is it a project?
There are a number of reasons, the main one being that the car doesn’t run. The vendor says that it was running, and there was a bit of blue smoke, but now it’s not running and he doesn’t know why? This isn’t very helpful unfortunately, but there you go. It could be something simple, or it could be a more terminal issue. You’re just not going to know until you see the car in person. As such, we’d look at this as a worse case scenario/new engine needed car. If it can be saved, brilliant. But if not, you’ll be mentally prepared.
Engine woes aside, the car looks to be a solid basis for a project. The Laser Green paint is rare and makes the car stand out, though there does seem to be some damage/rippling on one side, which isn’t ideal. However, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of rot in the sills.
The interior is all present bar a broken glove-box. Looks like it would come up a treat with a bit of a vac and clean, so that’s something you don’t have to worry about. The wheels look to be in good condition, though the seller does say the tyres are old and could do with replacing. Happily 14-inch tyres aren’t too costly.
Despite looking quite presentable, make no mistake, this little 205 is a full-on project. Is it worth it though? Of course it is, it’s a 205 GTi, and while it might not be 1.9, there is no escaping the fact the 1.6 is still an exceptionally desirable car.
Five things to look for:
1) Engine
As the car is dead at the moment, you sort of know what you’re getting into. That said, check the oil, have a look at the block for any signs of damage. It won’t hurt if you can identify what has stopped this Peugeot from purring.
2) Suspension
The key to getting the most out of a 205 is to have the handling spot on. The suspension is of course, key. Check the car doesn’t wobble about like jelly when you bounce it up and down. Look at the shocks for any signs of weeping.
3) Chassis
As we said earlier, there seems to be minimal rust on this little 205. That said, it won’t hurt to get down and have a proper look at the sills, the boot floor and the inner wings. You’re going to be busy sorting the engine, so it’d be nice if the body was decent. Check that damage, too. Make sure it’s light and hasn’t bent the A pillar.
4) Modifications
This car seems to have avoided the heavy mods during its lifetime, which is a very good thing indeed. However, just make sure it’s not had any garbage added to it in the past. Look for random screw holes, bodged wiring and so on.
5) Trim
These cars are getting harder and harder to find, and that means parts are getting scarce, too. Mechanical stuff isn’t too bad, but trim is an absolute nightmare. As such, you need to check the car, the interior, the badges, the body kit. Make sure it’s all present and all serviceable.
