1990 PEUGEOT 205 GTI 1.9

This Peugeot 205 GTI is a superb example of the pre-facelift 1990 hot hatch, famed amongst enthusiasts as one of, if not the best hot hatch ever produced. Its 1.9-litre naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder petrol engine puts out 128bhp and is twinned with an engaging five-speed manual gearbox. The odometer currently indicates 101,500 miles from new.

First registered in June 1990, the vehicle has been in the vendor’s possession for five years, with the logbook showing 3+ keepers in total.

The vendor reported that to the best of their knowledge, this 205 GTI has never sustained any major bodywork damage, though notes the bonnet and front grill have been professionally resprayed, while the nearside rear panel has undergone a paintwork touch up to repair a scratch. They also note some minor stone chips on the roof, both doors and rear bumper below the plastic trim, as well as two faint marks to the red trim on the rear and some light wear to the boot lid. The 15-inch wheels remain in solid condition, with very little evidence of wear.

Inside, the grey interior trim also remains in good condition, and all upholstery is believed to be original. The vendor notes slight wear to both the driver and passenger seats, namely some minor separation of stitching around the right shoulder area on the driver’s seat, as well as natural wear on the lower right bolster from entering and exiting the seat. On the passenger seat, there is a slight separation to the lower back. This has been temporarily taped to prohibit further separation, though the vendor assures this can be easily restitched in the future. There is also a minor crack in the plastic trim above the driver’s instruments, near the base of the windscreen. The vendor reports that the driver’s control for the passenger window can be slow to respond and the central locking works intermittently, though both individual door locks are functional.

The last service was undertaken at 101,500 in June 2020, by Eden View Garage, where the engine oil and air, fuel and oil filters were changed, as well as the front and rear washer pumps. The owner also installed new Pug1Off gear linkages, shortening the gear throw and reducing play in the gearbox. At the May 2019 service interval, the car received the usual oil and filter changes, as well as a fuel pipe change and repairs to the indicator switch and wiring to the nearside front headlamp. Prior to this in June 2018, the airflow meter was cleaned, and all vacuum hoses were checked. The temperature transmitter was replaced, as well as the engine oil and filters. The cambelt was last replaced in August 2017, along with a new water pump, new horn switch and rear brake callipers. In September 2016, the cylinder head was removed and skimmed, and replacements were made to the head gasket and oil seals. A new starter motor, timing belt, crank sensor and new head bolts were also fitted. The driver notes that new track rods were installed in 2015, along with a new cambelt, rear axle beam, rear brake pipes and a new exhaust clamp.

The most recent MOT test was on 19 August 2020, which resulted in a pass with an advisory to monitor some offside windscreen damage, though this was not severe enough to adversely affect the driver’s view. The driver notes this damage is believed to be a stone chip. New Uniroyal Rainsport 3 tyres were fitted all round in 2015, and remain in good condition, with 5mm of tread left on the rears and 4mm on the front.

The vehicle comes with a full pack of documents including the original service record, first stamped in June 1990 when the car was registered. Two original owner’s handbooks are also present, along with a maintenance booklet, dealer location guidebook, service history folder dating back to 1990, including service receipts from the main Peugeot-Talbot dealer in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. There are also records for when the car has been sold in 1995 to the second owner at GTi Specialists in Wimbledon, including the window sticker and bill of sale. A Haynes Peugeot 205 owner’s workshop manual is also included.

This Peugeot 205 GTI is a superb example of one of the most exciting hot hatches ever produced, complete with an extensive service history, shortened gear throw and unmodified interior, bodywork and 1.9-litre inline-four engine. When not being used, the vehicle has been kept in a secure garage for the last five years by an enthusiast owner.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.