Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 | Spotted

So busy has this summer been that already the debut of the Peugeot e-208 GTI – just a month back at Le Mans – seems like many moons ago. As a reminder, there’s plenty to be excited about, with 280hp, a limited-slip diff, Michelin Cup 2 tyres and hydraulic bumpstops for some motorsport sophistication to the ride. Given the haste with which Peugeot went from confirming the project to showing the car, let’s hope for more of the same when it comes to actually making it. 

Because let’s not forget, either, that when Peugeot has put its mind to it over the past decade and a bit, it has made some great driver’s cars. The RCZ R was expensive, sure, but brilliant; the 308 GTI may not have looked all that exciting, yet it was properly good to drive – helped by being so light. And the 508 PSE proved the Peugeot Sport expertise wasn’t just limited to the obvious avenues. 

It was the previous 208 GTI that, inevitably, folk will be looking back to with a new one on the horizon. It was alright as standard, then really came good with an anniversary special that celebrated 30 years of the 205 GTI in 2014 thanks to stiffer suspension and a limited slip diff. Anyone who thinks there’s not old school fun to be had in modern, affordable hatches should try a 30th or a by Peugeot Sport from £5k, because they’re great. If that sort of entertainment can be melded with the new 208’s funky good looks, then sold at a fair price with a reasonable range, Peugeot could have a winner on its hands. 

The truth of that will be discovered at some point in the future. For now we’re keeping it resolutely old school; the 205 GTI has of course been mentioned in the context of the new one (the wheels are meant to look a bit like those of a 1.9), but arguably you can never have enough of Peugeot’s most loved car. So here we are once more. 

Anyone who loves the GTI has probably been a little disheartened looking at the market in recent years. There’s strong money being asked even for CTIs, the Tolman overhauls are taking more off the market, and sometimes even the priciest examples don’t come with great history. Not a phenomenon unique to 205s, if still a bit sad given how cheap they once were. 

This appears to be an absolutely brilliant one. It’s a 1.6 that makes do with wind-up windows and no power steering; the most significant option new was a sunroof, the most dramatic modification since was the reflective strip between the lights. It probably weighs half what an e-208 will. Perhaps what’s most notable about this one, however, is that it’s been with the same owner since 1991; they’ve only recently given it up after 30-odd years and about 50,000 miles of driving the car. Can’t say that about every 205 around. 

They kept the GTI garaged and they didn’t cut the parcel shelf for a pair of 6x9s, but they did have the car resprayed a few years back in the original Cherry Red. That sounds like a good kind of owner, and means the 205 still presents wonderfully. Bear in mind it’s now a whole lot closer to 40 years old than 30 and it’s especially good. But still for sale at £12k, so it’s the cheapest in the PH classifieds. You know you want to…

Engine: 1,580cc four-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 115@6,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 98@4,000rpm
MPG: 30ish
CO2: N/A
Recorded miles: 76,000
Year registered: 1988
Price new: c. £8,000
Yours for: £11,995