Random # 291: Peugeot 205

I saw this tidy little Peugeot the other day and, even though it's not the performance GTI version, it was still a great example of 205 line. The styling suggests that it's from the earlier end of the manufacturing run, putting it closer to 1983 than 1998 when production was wound up.

Being a bog-standard 205, complete with an auto 'box, doesn't mean I can't compare it with its highly-desirable GTI twin. In fact, delving into a few of the stockers 205's stats goes a long way to explaining why many regard the Gallic GTI as at least the equal of its more fancied German rival, the Golf GTI.

Not 15" wheels! Had I known that the GTI's were 15s, I'd have checked what these were but suspect they're only 13s, at most.

Firstly, reference to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_205) states that early versions of the 205 were powered by a diminutive .954 litre engine, compared to the GTI's 1.9 litre donk! To be fair, later non-sports versions ended up with progressively larger petrol and diesel affairs, all the way up to 1.6 litre capacities, but the fact that the GTI's motor displaced twice what an apparently adequate version's did suggests that it would've had some grunt to spare!

It doesn't end there, though! The 1.9 litre GTI (there was also a "revvy and eager" 1.6 litre GTI, according to Wikipedia) also featured four-wheel disc brakes and 15" alloy Speedline wheels, neither of which was available on other 205s. It's reasonable to say that 15" wheels in the late 80s and early 90s were a pretty big deal, as evidenced by the fact that the GTI variants required larger wheel arches to accommodate them. The car also sat on lower, stiffer suspension complete with an anti-roll bar.

Happily for me, I've been offered a road test of an original 1.9 litre GTI. I'm told that I'll be impressed by both its power and handling, as well as its solid feel. So, there's more to come on the 205 story - maybe even a video?

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

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