1991 PEUGEOT 205 RALLYE - 38,725 MILES (LHD)

This Peugeot 205 Rallye is a rare and desirable European-spec lightweight hatchback, which is presented in excellent unrestored condition, and with very low mileage. It is powered by the 1.3-litre TU24 engine, fed by twin Weber carburettors and producing 102bhp at 6,800rpm – a significant power advantage over the later UK-market cars. This is coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 62,322km (38,725 miles) from new.

A European-market left-hand drive car, this 205 Rallye was delivered to Spain and first registered on 23 August 1991, remaining with its first owner for 27 years. The car was exported to the UK and registered with the DVLA in February 2019 to the current owner.

Having spent much of its life in the warm Spanish climate and put into storage from 2008 until 2016, this 205 Rallye’s bodywork is in fantastic, rust-free condition and the plastic items including the bumpers, the door mirrors and the signature wheel-arch extensions are all very smart.

Professionally resprayed in the past, the characteristic white paintwork is in great shape and has a smooth and glossy appearance across the entire body. The seller notes that there is one tiny chip on the edge of the driver’s door, but this certainly does not detract from the overall impressive condition, and all of the correct decals are applied to the nose, sides and tail. The light lenses are clear and free of any chips or cracks, and the rubber seals are in good order.

This 205 Rallye sits on its original 13-inch steel wheels, which have a matching white finish and present extremely well, with no significant marks, scratches or signs of kerb damage. The correct Peugeot centre caps are also fitted, and the spare wheel is still stowed in its cage beneath the car.

Having been extensively retrimmed, the interior is in fantastic order. Black fabric covers the front and rear seats, accented by red stitching which matches the front seat belts, and vibrant red carpeting that is fitted throughout. The steering wheel’s rim has been re-trimmed in leather, creating a more luxurious touchpoint when compared to the original plastic. A non-original Sparco gear knob has also been fitted.

Stripped of almost all its soundproofing and comfort items from the factory to reduce the car’s weight to 794kg, the cabin is a driver-focused and relatively spartan space; however a period Kenwood radio casette player and aftermarket Pioneer speakers have been installed, which work perfectly – as do the rest of the interior buttons, switches and electrical items.

Well-maintained over the years, the car is in good mechanical order. Its last service was carried out by the previous owner in June 2018, when the engine oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs were replaced, as well as all four tyres.

Prior to this, in 2016 at 54,000km the owner at the time carried out a major service, replacing the cam belt, auxiliary belt, front brakes, discs and pads, as well as the engine and gearbox oil, and the spark plugs.

Original and unmolested, all of car’s original engine, transmission and suspension parts are still fitted, with the only aftermarket item being a Vimesa rear silencer, which provides a slightly more playful exhaust note than the standard unit. The seller notes that there is a slight flat spot when accelerating through 2,500rpm, but it is likely that this could be remedied by tuning the twin Weber carburettors.

The car’s last MOT test was conducted on 15 July 2020 at 62,312km, where it secured a clean pass after the windscreen washer system was repaired and the rear fog light was repositioned. The wheels are fitted with two-year-old Toyo tyres in size 165/70 R13, which are described by the seller as being in superb condition, having covered just 2,000 miles since being fitted.

The car is accompanied by a binder full of receipts from 1994 to the present day, with many invoices stating the car’s mileage, which the seller states is particularly unusual for Spanish market vehicles where documents are often discarded.

While there is a gap in the servicing from 2008-2016, when the car was placed in storage and used sparingly, it will be supplied with its Spanish ITV document (the equivalent of UK MOT test certificates) which has been stamped every year from 1991 until 2016, when the car was no longer used by its first owner.

This Peugeot 205 Rallye is a coveted ‘featherweight flyer’, fitted with the more powerful Weber-fed 1.3-litre engine and presented in excellent, rust-free condition. Highly original and with a detailed history from new, this spritely driver’s car will delight its next owner at every twist and turn, while its low mileage and smart bodywork also make it an ideal candidate for joining any collection of smart modern classics.

All 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.