4 Star Classics

A time warp example and tribute to Peugeot's legendary 205 Rally heritage

MODEL HISTORY

The 205 GTI had everything when new and still does - sharp handling, light weight for added chuckability and an unburstable engine that sings the more you rev it. Ever since the first 1.6-litre 205 GTI went on sale in April 1984, the eulogies to the car have appeared thick and fast. In 1985 Peugeot's barking mad 205 T16 rally car won the World Rally Championship.

From 1988 to 1992 with their success in world rally firmly established Peugeot produced another variation of the 205, the 205 Rallye, which was produced and engineered by Peugeot-Talbot sport. This edition of the 205 was presented as a cost effective alternative to the 205 GTI, retaining its sporty character but being less expensive to buy or maintain.

The car got the 1.9 GTI front suspension with ventilated brake discs and the 1.6 GTI rear axle with drum brakes. Peugeot used a derivative of the TU-series engine with the cylinders bored out to total 1294 cc, a sports camshaft and twin Weber carburetors. Germany due to regulations had a special Rallye that featured the 1.9 GTI engine but remained less popular due to the added weight effecting the cars characteristics. Great Britain also had its own special edition that retained a lighter TU3.2 engine as a 1.4L.

The Rallye was stripped of almost all soundproofing, electrical systems and other luxury items, bringing the weight down to an impressive 794kg. Its minimal equipment and high reving engine gives the 205 Rallye an aggressive personality making it a fun and rewarding car to drive hard and a firm favourite among 205 enthusiasts. You can tell a 205 Rallye apart from other 205 models by its wider, squarer wheel arches, colour coded wheel rims and rainbow coloured Peugeot-Talbot sport decals.

The Peugeot-Talbot sport logo was also embroidered on the lighter front chairs designed for the Rallye. Only a very limited run of cars were built, we are waiting for confirmation but believe 250 Rallye's were produced in yellow and 500 in white.

Equipment

Original Peugeot cassette player, Heated rear windscreen, Bucket seats, Parcel shelf, Door stops, Sunroof.

EXTERIOR

Finished in the rare Express Yellow the paint work is immaculate with no marks or dents whatsoever. Incredibly this Rallye retains all of its original paintwork and Peugeot Talbot decals. There are also no stone chips to the front of the car at all. All the bumpers and trim are perfect with no marks or fading and it also has the original Peugeot mud-flaps all round. This 205 Rallye really is like new. 

INTERIOR

The interior of the Rallye is minimal with few creature comforts and quite rightly designed to be just that. This car smells new and looking over the dashboard it is spotless with no wear at all to the textured steering wheel or gear knob. All the electrics and heating system on the car work perfectly. It has black cloth bucket seats in the front for extra support with red stitching and the Rallye logo embroidered just under the head rest. Both front and rear seats are in amazing condition with no marks or wear to the side bolsters. It has black carpet through out which is spotless even in the drivers foot well.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

This 205 Rallye has only done an amazingly low 9918 miles. With a very clean engine bay you can tell this car has been cherished and hardly used. It has a 5 speed gear box which feels tight and precise and pulls through the gears smoothly. It has a full service history with regular inspections.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES

The 205 Rallye comes with matching Express Yellow steel wheels, these are all completely unmarked. They are wearing the recommended and what are believed to be the original Pirelli P2000 tyres which have still have plenty of tread. The brakes all work well pulling the car up quickly in a straight line.

HISTORY FILE

This Peugeot 205 Rallye was first registered in August 1992 by Peugeot dealer Ballamys of Sussex and subsequently serviced without fail every 6 months until 2001 by the same supplying dealer. The original sales receipt is present as are the dealer plates, the first lady owner having the car for the majority of its life up until 2010. The service history is all stamped in the original Peugeot log book.

The car is due to have a full service, cambelt change and fresh MOT before delivery. The owners manual and original documentation are all present.