As a person who was around when these were the £1500 cars that Mr Smith refers to.... I don't disagree with the sentiment, but I guarantee if you're unlucky enough to be in accident then aesthetics won't be your biggest concern in that moment.
Absolutely! My 1.4 XS was more fun to throw around than a 1.9 GTI that I drove.... I could use full power more of the time.... mind you, it was mine, not borrowed like the 1.9, so maybe I gave less of a shit...
My first car was a 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite with a 56hp 1098cc engine. I was able to drive the heck out of it, the accelerator floored and running through the gears, I was having a LOT of fun and was just keeping up with traffic.
You are all so right. I recently bought a Panda 100hp for that exact reason. Rev it out, makes me smile, probably not going to lose my licence, it's all you need.
Brilliant film and brilliant car. I'm 49 now but in 1991 I bought a used Fiat Uno Turbo ie. My friend had the 1.9 205 GTI. We spent all our spare time blasting them around the quiet roads in the Yorkshire Dales. The 205 just had the edge on me, but i'd do anything to relive those amazing days, hardly any traffic, basic quick, lightweight cars with no air con , no airbags, no computerised driving aids, just raw driving pleasure.
Mate, you sound like you had the same experiences and love for simplicity as me.We are the same age, too! I had a 205 GTI 1.6 and the fun and stupid things i did in that car, around the Highland back roads, will never leave me! I wouldn’t have the bottle to drive it like that, now.......i now own heavily tuned 5 and 6 Evo RS’s and even though i have a lot of fun in them, its not the same fun i had with the 205.Too sensible, now.
Renault Clio Williams on K reg was my baby for blasting around the Yorkshire Pennines.. didn’t have her very long as insurance killed me but between that and the Nova SRi I got to say my love for driving was born. Still my SAAB 93 turbo was the best aged motor I’ve owned.
Well,i too had a Turbo IE and then the last version of the uno Turbo. My cousin had the 1.6 GTI, and the same think we spent our time blasting around some nice roads near Lisbon. but our cars where a little bit more powerful then the standard versions, because my cousin is a mechanic and already had a Garage, so we had better management ICU chip mod, brakes, suspension.. 53 years old, now.
While everyone else was doing silly road trips Johnny has come through the field as the best motor journalist of our generation. I was hooked after the lawnmower reviews.. what a legend.
I couldn’t agree more,this channel deserves to be on television,but executives would probably ruin it. Even the episodes that aren’t really about my thing are superb,it’s about Jonnys character and truth,he’s not acting up for the camera or trying to hard to please. Makes such a refreshing change.
Ok, here I go, first time comment. I have been professionally restoring and building cars for over 30 years. The key to any restoration are as follows. 1. To look like it’s never been restored and to look like it’s just left the factory. 2. Not to eliminate any common faults the car had from factory. I get the above for purists. This Peugeot in my personal opinion and for my personal use, is spot on. Looks like it’s just come out of the factory. Refined it and defined it. It’s a ripper of a Sunday drive. I have done quite a few like this and at the moment, on with a Williams Clio and a Hilux LN106, go figure. Brilliant video,,, excellently produced, well done.
I had a white 1.6 GTI in 1986 which I loved, so a red 1.9 followed in 1987, paid £10k brand new with sunroof 😀 had it 3 years and to this day it was the most fun on the road I ever had, hardly any cameras and less traffic on the roads. Happy days
Brilliant cars. I had a 1.9GTI in the late 90's and absolutely loved it. Still my favourite hot hatch and for me way more engaging that the bloated modern equivalents.
I had a 205 till 1998. Absolutely loved that tiny car with the racing spirit. Such a great greenhouse on it, it felt much bigger on the inside than on the outside. Light, nimble with plenty of power for that time. It had a willingness to just go faster and faster and swallow anything infront of it. It truly lived up to that Lion on its grill.
There are something special about this old cars back then you felt a engagement you don't feel in todays cars, nowdays everything is disconnected from the driving
I saw a beautiful 205 GTI recently while on holiday with my partner. Despite me being a die-hard Golf girl, it really did bring a smile to my face. You don't see these around anymore, especially outside of Europe. So seeing one in a sleepy Australian beach town was a great surprise. Hot hatches really are such amazing little cars.
Thanks for the nostalgia, it was a great episode. Had a white 1.6 version whilst living in Guildford as a teen and now living in Oz, you brought me back to those great old days. I understand why people spend 45k on rekindling old memories.
I was 25, hired a 205 GTI from Town and Country at heathrow for 3 weeks in 1986 , being in the oilfield for 11 months. You cannot replicate that, it was so much better than any car on the road. That 3 weeks, brilliant. Drove it in 86 like I stole it ! No Cameras. Taking an old 205 and improving it ? Thats a 2020 experience and untrue to the experience. No mate, some lucky buggers have had a 205 GTI since day one. Cars may have become faster but the 205 GTI was the best hot hatch of its day, made of paper Better than any Ford, any Clio Williams. I loved it and drove it hard in that époque.
I had a 205 1.9 as company car when I was 23. I managed to get through all 4 tyres in less than 10k commuting to work and got a bollocking from our MD when he got the bill. Best car I ever drove. I now currently own 15 lavender bushes and am looking to buy another this weekend…
I've been arguing this for ages, less is more. Its scares me how quick electric cars can go in the hands of a very inexperienced driver on tight and restrictive roads. My weapon of choice back in the day was a MK1 Uno Turbo, loved that car.
Thankfully modern cars (EV and otherwise) with the equivalent of 350bhp+ are remarkably tame in comparison to hot cars of the 80s and 90s. Some of us may complain about intrusive driver aids from time to time but they are the only reason that inexperienced drivers are not ploughing through hedges in their new cars on a much more regular basis!
The performance electric cars are very impressive for sure. Mostly in my view for the traction control / stability systems etc. People can just floor a 500 bhp electric and just go fast. The systems have complete control. Do that in a 300 hp petrol from 20 years ago and you’re instantly in trouble
@Scimmia nope not me. Just a technical observation with regard to modern power management systems. We are all about the old stuff here at ST170 Restoration 👍
Mine was graphite colour - I saved for this with a second job and bought one from a farmer when I was around 20 in 1986. I loved it and had a hell of a lot of fun with it! I miss the cloth red stitching seats now in my Model 3!
The Smile on Jonny's face as he pulled away absolutely says it all I went to a rave's in the back of these GTI's n Renault 5 turbo's n I loved driving n being driven in them I'm so glad companies are building n restoring cars of this generation keep up the Great work thanks for sharing Full Send UK
Honestly my favourite review you have ever done Johnny! I had a 1.9 GTI in my 20s in Australia and it was and still is the best little car I’ve ever owned! So happy hearing that exhaust note again! 🙏
The font on the text overlays got me going real trippy! Seriously though, I adore these 205s, I've always wanted one but the money in them just keeps going up. I'll add this to the list of unattainable cars I'd love to have!
Always wanted a 205 gti loved them, i was a ford man myself and had a string of fast fords including an xr2i and an escort rs turbo. these days i get my kicks at weekends in a fiesta 1.0 l stline 140 chipped to 185 bhp, like to call it my midlife crisis on a budget! great channel jonny keep the vids coming.
Such an great episode of the LBS. Analogue pure drivers car, with power you can actually use and appreciate. Oh and the presenter isn't bad either. Jonny knocked it out the park yet again.
My dad had one of the last non-cat non-PAS 1.9 GTis. Miami blue with half leather - L413RAC. When I turned 17 we were quoted £6K just to name me on the policy!
@@colinkemp3016 Mine is a 1993 L reg too and one of the last 1.9 GTi’s registered (Sept 1993) and they were all CAT at that time. If your Dads was a non CAT on an L then It must of been sitting in a field for a year or two before getting registered…. I’m intrigued 🤓
@@amnril I'm intrigued as well now Neil! It replaced a 1.6 GTi very much on the spur of the moment as was in the dealership (just outside Edinburgh) I remember us getting it on 1st Aug. May well have been sitting in stock for a bit. Mentioned it once on Pistonheads and somebody posted a photo of it now doing autotests and rallycross.
@@colinkemp3016 I’ve just googled it and whilst it’s a little woolly (1992….1993) it looks likely that in the UK, cars produced after August 1992 had to have a CAT and it was option prior to then. So yeah, your dads car is an interesting one. The DVLA shows your dads car as first registered in August 1993, a month before mine 👌 but mine is a CAT model. Interestingly, 205’s with RAC in the registration are usually Peugeot registered cars….. not customer, interesting !!
Jonny this car is like a time machine, it brings you back to a time when life seemed easier. Us who had a great years growing up owe so much to our families and for those who grow up without that love and care I wish you well bring that to your children. You looked like 16 years old all over again Jonny I say go there, met your heroes live the past and bring back the days and find that smile we so often now we seem to have lost. Thank you Jonny
Absolute Belter of a wee car! I've had 4 in various iterations and I think it's about time to get a 5th. I'd love to see them do a 309 GTi Resto! Great episode!
Agree, my girlfriend at the time, Davina, her brother had a 1.9 GTI and I was so jealous. Was the 309 a 205 with a bigger boot? or was the chasis different etc?
@@stevepoo1762 It was originally going to be a Talbot (the Arizona). I believe it used the 205’s door frames, which would therefore have dictated its cabin dimensions. I always liked ‘em.
Thanks for this now im really hankering after another pug ! Got my self a 30 thousand mile 1.9gti totally standard as it left the showroom was left in a old chicken shed for years i bought it spent a good while replacing brake lines among other stuff drove it 3 weeks until someone crashed into it total loss in 2011 insurance paid out just over 2 grand 😢
I used to love the 309 GTI 1.9 which was essentially the same car in half salon guise. I just remember the throttle response was like it was turbocharged. Reminiscing hitting the M60 slip road going to see Nan in Bury and feeling like nothing could ever keep up 🥰 King of the road !
Love the 205gti!!! Many fond memories! I remember my mate selling his pride and joy. A tuned 1.9 to a neighbour and two days later they wrapped it around a lamppost 😞. I’ve never seen him cry before until he found out!
The favorite car of my youth, and I even managed to get one for myself as my second own car, a white 205 XRD with the fabulous 1.9l Diesel engine. The only one that could be brought from a standstill up to around 50km/h without ever touching the accelerator, just clutch and the wonderful idling control and the absolutely smoothly running high torque engine, so refined! I loved my 205...
That’s the model I had; in 2002 I needed a cheapie runabout and even in diesel form it was a delight. I traded it in for a new 106GTI. Still adore the 205 for what it was. That clever rear suspension on such a light little car made for comfort and cornering
@@alexmorgan3435 I had the 1.9 and it had a very limited Rev band - if you kept it between 1.2-2.3k it pulled really well. Beyond that the ability to accelerate dropped off. That said; it had lots of torque, and mine was a well-used car. When you were on form choosing the right time to change gear - that car was very enjoyable to drive, albeit hard work on a long distance B road run. Great road holding and handling
@@sullivanrachael The 205 was never given the 1.9 diesel engine. It was only a 1.7 litre diesel engine producing about an asthmatic 60bhp in non turbo form.
This just makes me só happy. Not a sleeper build with 1.001 hp, ‘just’ an excellent design, mated with modern tech. It reminds me of my ‘94 1.1, which I bought as a 17 y/o in 2019: the same liveliness, the same practicality, and the same good looks! Granted, mine is a bit lethargic, but that makes it even more pet-like. And hey, it still got the the North cape and back! These early 90s economy cars are the new enthousiast cars, for a world in which petrol won’t be as commonplace as it is now: all of the experience, wile still getting 19km/L!
I used to work for a Peugeot dealer when i was just turned 18, we used to pick up these cars from a compound 10 miles away, they were fantastic little hatches & were such a great super mini to drive, i only ever had the 1.8 diesel model but even that was so nippy & light, & 60 to the gallon, i had it looking like a 1.9 GTI even though it was a 5 door, it still looked the part, id love to try & reclaim my youth again when i retire,! Love watching your channel Johnny, keep up the good work & vids! :).
Oh wow. I had this car in 1989/90 and LOVED it. Seemed so fast back then. Mine was also a 1.6 in the same colour as the video but without the leather interior (black cloth I seem to remember) and I think the wheels were different (the ones in the video could be from the 1.9 but I'm not 100%). Of course it was unbelievably dangerous compared to modern cars - no ABS, no crumple zones, no air bags etc etc. but it weighed almost nothing - less than half the Tesla Model 3 SR+ sitting outside now.
Loved this episode! I have a 306 GTI sat under an old rug in a barn in France struggling to get the new-style certificate of conformity so I can finally switch it’s plates and drive it again. The 205 GTI is as gorgeous today as it was when it came out. I personally think the 306 GTI is too. Also agree with the 3-door point, I might be the only 3-door Golf GTD driver on the road, or it certainly feels that way!
Agreed... True Hot Hatches can only have 3 doors. Even the leather seats are pushing your Hot Hatch credentials, the Quartet Red/Antracite seats are part of the 205 GTi magic sauce too.
I worked for a now defunct car rental company back in the late 80s. We used to rent these, 1.6s, and they were pretty much always out. Fabulous little cars and remain among my all time faves. I remember, I had one on a day off once and went for a drive from my flat in London... ended up in Plymouth. I knew a girl at uni down there. I didn't tell her I was coming - no mobile phones - and she was out when I got there. I didn't care. It was a fabulous day's driving!
Oh I loved my phase 1 205 XS. 3 door, gti interior, twin webers, power bulge, steel wheels, gearbox in the sump, best steering of any car I’ve had. E108 CJA, bloody brilliant it was.
I had the XS as my first car! Gti panels as an addition, 1.9 wheels, etc. Slightly fettled engine. Was such an incredible little car. Awesome experience with great memories. 👍👌
This was a beautifully put together episode. The audio , the videography , the information and driving. It's quite rare for me to watch a YT video of this length without being bored and switching off but this had me hooked from start to finish. What a machine! Thank you Jonny.
A 1.6 Gti was my 3rd car... Adored and slightly modded it.. Can't believe they're Escort prices, but shouldn't be suprised...! Tolman have done an amazing job, it's super-mint.... Thanks Johnny X
Brings back amazing memories my older brother had a 1.9 GTI I remember thinking omg this is so fast and my brothers mate had a 5 GT turbo good times thanks for this 🙌🙌
Jonny's smile says it all and shows how much fun some cars are. I drove a friend's 205gti a few years ago and it was just as much fun as I remember from the 90s.
What a great car. I loved the 1.9 more though. Went to many raves all over the uk in one back in the day. Great acoustics in the cabin too. 👌 Best feeling front wheel drive car ever for me. I'm a rwd guy but the "Pug" was phenomenal! Great vlog! Thanks for the nostalgia and memories!😁
Absolutely pal, I have owned 2 GTIs, 2 CTis and now I am restoring a "basket case" 1990 CTI 1.6, I truly love the model & in New Zealand a Cabrio/convertible is very usable & real fun. Have bought a set on 15" GTI 1.9 wheels so I can buy better tyres. Roll on next summer.
when I win the lottery I'll be on the phone to these guys immediately. Dream fulfilled. Bucket list item ticked. Why, in the day, did I buy a Kadet GSI? Why why why why why? My wife had a 205 Green (Lacoste without the crocodile) and we both know it was the best car we ever had.
My mum owned a 1.6 205 Gti, she absolutely hated it because of maintenance cost (she was used to 1.1's) and because of fuel consumption but she always drove it as if the devil himself chased her. Needless to say I loved it, and I regretted not buying one ever since as they're not very affordable anymore.
we are with friend currently rebuilding 205 1.9 rallye, with D6B head and mapable electronic ignition, to make it 120+ hp from 102 scratch... love these cars, nothing ever felt to drive like those
Reminds me of the Peugeot advertisements of the time: "You'll feel better in a Peugeot"! I still have a 205, exact same red color as the one sitting in the garage, and no plans to ever sell it. Great restoration job too!
Class episode, Jonny. Big fan of small lightweight hatchbacks, might not be the quickest of things these days but you know who's having the most fun with the widest of smiles on their face.
I had a 1.6 25+ years ago and loved the handling and lightweightness, but imo, the best naturally aspirated hot hatch back then was a strada Abarth 130tc😍 with a 2.0, twin webers! A friend had one. Good luck finding one of those to restore now!😃
@@MOSSFEEN 90 or 107PS? The latter was probably similar to the strada 105tc. Fiats, and likely Lancia, always seemed to rev/drive faster than expected! Probably due to lower weight over time due to rust 😂
@@James-RJM 110bhp Never had any real problems with rust on it Just on boot door itself small scab by the wiper. It used to Eat tyres and the alloys were made from tin foil other than That it was a brilliant car
@@MOSSFEEN 😂 You clearly had a young car, or was it reddish/brown in colour 😉 I know they galvanised the steel later on but pretty sure it was around the time of the later integrale evolution!? Likely similar with fiat. My friend's gorgeous red Abarth 130tc was about 5 years old and plenty of rust already, especially around the door handles 😒 I certainly have very fond memories of that but also of many others, including my late father's ur quattro 10V which I know now, albeit a classic in so many ways, was not particularly quick or dynamic compared to more recent modern cars lol.. I think my current GR Yaris actually covers the hot hatch/awd homologation quite nicely 🙂
@@James-RJM Yes she was a WINE coloured bought in 1996ish with 19000miles on the clock some auld fella owned it before me it was spotless Traded in a 1986 Pug 205 Gti in against it £4000 loved it
My mate had 3 205Gtis. 1st a 1.6, 2nd a 1.9 and the third a 1.6 rally car. Always very jealous as I couldn't afford the insurance. When I could afford one I was then doing 80miles a day and 205 was never going to do that mileage, so I bought a 405 Sri. Brilliant all rounder with the same peppy 1.9 8v engine( Peugeot were brilliant back in the 80/90's). I then bought a 309dturbo, another great car. But i still wanted them the peppy 205gti. New job, working close to home, my chance to buy one was there. All the 205's I could find were a mess and needed work. I needed a reliable day to day car and 205 GTI was never going to cut it! Enter the Clio Williams. Fantastic fun, great reliability and Great looks. Still got it today but is now being nut and bolt restored. Can't wait to get it back on the road!
8:43 it sounds incredible! I was such a big fan of this car, the size, the multifunctional character of it, typical daily driver, but mostly a fun car you love to watch in front of your house, or just get inside it to drive around for hours, just for the hell of it. Music on, cup of coffee in the cupholder and off you go...
In 1991 my Grandad part exchanged his Mk1 Fiesta Sandpiper in for a mint low miles charcoal 1987 205 1.6GTi and it was phenomenal. I had never been in such a small car that was so fast. He only owned it 8 months before passing away and i so desperately wanted it for myself...but at 14 i had no way of buying it let alone insuring it at 17! A wonderful car.
Jonny, that sounds sooo good, perfect subtle modified car, usable but not butchered. Lightweight, enough power and beautiful.. Peugeot best ever work, never bettered design IMHO!
Memories of the 205 from my youth is why I now drive a Suzuki Swift Sport, the last of the normally aspirated warm hatches. It's a bit heavier than the 205, but light by modern standards and it's utterly reliable. I've driven over 150k miles in it and it still makes me smile, on a twisty back road I've never had so much fun, at sensible speeds.
I remember back in the day turning my nose up at the Peugeots until I had the chance of a go in a 1.6 205 "CTi" - the soft top version and was really impressed by how it drove. I hope a company out there takes on this sort of restomod but on the Astra GTE 16V ;)
Ah, memories! The 205 could have killed me lots and lots of times in my youth. It had a vicious switch between under/overs steer on tarmac when driven on the limit. By the way, I had a 205 diesel that was faster in the acceleration then the 1.9 GTI. Not exactly standard - I put in a larger engine, fiddled with it and kept the original gearing. It revved out on 5'th gear at around 160. But I could start from a full stop in 5'th gear. It was a hillarious car that me and my brother even drove to the north cape.
Knocked it out the park again Mr Smith, another excellent episode, and one car I need to add to my dream garage to own or drive is a 205 GTi. Still a great looking car even if it is knocking on the door as the same age as me!
I had a phase 1 E reg 1.9 back when, as you say they were "throwaway" , I paid 1700 quid when I was 22. I absolutely loved everything about it, even the smell! Unfortunately the big end bearing killed it, and I sold it for pennies and moved on! 20 years later I was dreaming of owning another, but they were so expensive. During the early stages of lockdown I decided that a 3 door base model was the way to go, and found a tidy L reg Mardi gras, for 400 quid. It now looks like a decent 1.9 after spending about 1500 quid, and I'm now working towards changing all the running gear. This video has been the final inspiration I need! 👍👍
I've got a Lupo GTI and it gives me all the same feelings you described here. Doesn't need 300bhp to be fun and feel fast. Another car that doesn't look anywhere near its age aswell!
Finally, someone mentioned the miss matched wheels. They made a big deal about making it look original under bonnet but didn't use the 1.6 pepper pots!
I have had my 205 1.9gti for 20 years now, and have owned some modern fast cars in that time including a 997 and modern golf gti. Every time I get in my 205, it gives me a level of fun that modern faster cars can't get near
It’s a fantastic piece of design. Peugeot and Pininfarina were at the top of their game with this generation of cars. Hope to see lots of these and cars like it being built. Great video. Great car.
Pininfarina's involvement with the 205 is they built the CT (cabriolet) models, but they didn't design the 205, they designed the 104. The 205 external design is Gérard Welter's team (Peugeot in-house designer) and the original interior design (not this second series) was made by Paul Bracq (the Mercedes Pagode designer).
I was hoping they would have put the interior back together with a bit more thought than what was possible on the production line. It still shakes and rattles like the original, and doing a ground up restoration for refinement should include making the interior panels sit more solid IMO Also still would have been fun if it was a MI16 job done like if it was OEM spec.
tbh, I kinda liked that it did squeak and rattle, it made it feel more genuine. Hate to think how much it would cost to make it none squeaky and rattley... If it bothered me in town, crank the Blaupunkt, if out and about rev the bejeeesus out of it :D
@@vokstar Sure but that blaupunkt probably does not feed very much in terms of audio equipment anyway. I mean crank the stereo in the 80s and you blow those small paper cones at the first Rick Astley intro. And it is not always fitting or nice to be revving the car out all the time. Since they were discussing bringing this old car into a more modern world, I think this rattling is a big oversight. It has been discussed numerous times on forums how to get rid of it. And normally people say "its a 205 just live with it", but when we start talking about ground up restorations and company restomodded "ultimate" 205s, I think a more up to date NVH level is part of that refinement process. Otherwise its "just" a very nice tuned 205.
Another fantastic episode with such an iconic, beautiful car. Noticed a few editing glitches in this episode but still a quality piece of content to watch with a nice cuppa. Far better than any other automotive content on TV!
Man, it's awesome. I'm so jealous. Never in a million years could I have afforded these old-school hot-hatches as a teenager. It's very cool to have the ability to get one now with modern upgrades.
The cars of that period have aged extremely well, especially the Peugeot's 205, 106, 306, etc! Same for the Golf Mk's 1, & 2, after that they became very bloated! I maintain that the 106 was the direct successor to the Hillman Imp, after Peugeot took control of the PSA once it had consumed the Rootes Group back in the mid '60s! I have said for a long time that all the EU regs. on so-called safety has caused all these hot hatches to be come over weight and soulless, as they have become remote as far as feel for the driver is concerned! And for those who want fun cars at reasonable prices then Restomod is the way to go!
@@russcooke5671 Don't over do it. The 205 GTI was good in std spec and I am sure this restomod makes improvements but it isn't a Toyota Yaris GR which would cost you the same money. It's still a 30-35 years old car as fun as it is.
@@alexmorgan3435 of course. But you don’t buy cars to judge other cars by. You can’t judge a forty year old car with a modern one. I should think most people that want these cars are people that have already owned one. I bet no one in there twenties or thirties are going to get one. 👌👌👌👌👌
Great looking restoration and the L jetronic did need an update as it had a tendency to have a flat spot when coming off idle if not set up just right. However, it does bother me that it is supposed to be a 1.6 GTi, but it has the larger 15 inch 1.9 wheels. Would look better with the original pepper pot 1.6 GTi 14 inch wheels
@@andrewf4797 Yes, it was very subtle, but you could instantly tell if a 1.6 had 1.9 wheels on it....it just didn't look quite right. I had a both back in the day, and even though it may be nostalgia speaking, I still think the 1.9 was the best car I ever had.
This was the era for me, when I felt the most excitement for the cars of that time. I've always been a Ford man, so for me it was the Escort RS Turbo (Sierra Cosworth, XR4i, XR2, XR3i, & XR3i Cabriolet etc), but endless nights plotted up in Romford etc, my fondest memories include all the hot hatches of the time..Peugeot 205 Gti, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Astra GTE 16v, VW Golf Gti and so on. Even the MG Montego Turbo, MG Maestro's, MG Metro Turbo's etc etc, can all put a smile on my face!! What I'd give to be able to go back to the late 80's lol
All 80's and 90's Peugeots were a good steer regardless of engine choice. My dad had a 309 GLD, loved that car and as a family we had three 306s. Those who turn their nose up at French cars and deride them, really don't know what they are missing. They lost their way a bit in the 00's but they are finding their way back.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
So old school i bloody love it this channel is great. Covers the new ev's bur appreciates the classics. Great job jonny and production is amazing 👏
It is a great channel. Agreed. This show should be aired on TV. As is.
It’s got the wrong alloys on it!
W
The 205 has aged really well. To me it looks better than a lot of current day hot hatches.
Tell me a nice looking current hot hatch :P
It's little brother, the 208 gti isn't a bad looking car. Then again, I might be a bit biased.
As a person who was around when these were the £1500 cars that Mr Smith refers to.... I don't disagree with the sentiment, but I guarantee if you're unlucky enough to be in accident then aesthetics won't be your biggest concern in that moment.
It's one of the best looking cars of all time.
I had a 309GTI back in the day was even better.
The old saying, driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow.
💯
Absolutely! My 1.4 XS was more fun to throw around than a 1.9 GTI that I drove.... I could use full power more of the time.... mind you, it was mine, not borrowed like the 1.9, so maybe I gave less of a shit...
Amen to that!
My first car was a 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite with a 56hp 1098cc engine. I was able to drive the heck out of it, the accelerator floored and running through the gears, I was having a LOT of fun and was just keeping up with traffic.
You are all so right. I recently bought a Panda 100hp for that exact reason. Rev it out, makes me smile, probably not going to lose my licence, it's all you need.
Brilliant film and brilliant car. I'm 49 now but in 1991 I bought a used Fiat Uno Turbo ie. My friend had the 1.9 205 GTI. We spent all our spare time blasting them around the quiet roads in the Yorkshire Dales. The 205 just had the edge on me, but i'd do anything to relive those amazing days, hardly any traffic, basic quick, lightweight cars with no air con , no airbags, no computerised driving aids, just raw driving pleasure.
And a full tank for less than £20.
Mate, you sound like you had the same experiences and love for simplicity as me.We are the same age, too!
I had a 205 GTI 1.6 and the fun and stupid things i did in that car, around the Highland back roads, will never leave me!
I wouldn’t have the bottle to drive it like that, now.......i now own heavily tuned 5 and 6 Evo RS’s and even though i have a lot of fun in them, its not the same fun i had with the 205.Too sensible, now.
Similarly, in 1991 I had the 205, and my friend had a Swift GTI R, optioned with a lot of goodies. What a blast!
Renault Clio Williams on K reg was my baby for blasting around the Yorkshire Pennines.. didn’t have her very long as insurance killed me but between that and the Nova SRi I got to say my love for driving was born.
Still my SAAB 93 turbo was the best aged motor I’ve owned.
Well,i too had a Turbo IE and then the last version of the uno Turbo. My cousin had the 1.6 GTI, and the same think we spent our time blasting around some nice roads near Lisbon. but our cars where a little bit more powerful then the standard versions, because my cousin is a mechanic and already had a Garage, so we had better management ICU chip mod, brakes, suspension.. 53 years old, now.
This is brilliant. I hope Tolman is a great success. People are sick and tired of driving computers. Bring back cars again!
I owned a 1.9 GTI 205 for years... best car I ever owned. Cried the day I sold it in 2006 :-( Greatest hot hatch EVER!
While everyone else was doing silly road trips Johnny has come through the field as the best motor journalist of our generation. I was hooked after the lawnmower reviews.. what a legend.
agreed.
I couldn’t agree more,this channel deserves to be on television,but executives would probably ruin it.
Even the episodes that aren’t really about my thing are superb,it’s about Jonnys character and truth,he’s not acting up for the camera or trying to hard to please.
Makes such a refreshing change.
I didn't know about the lawnmower review episode, guess I'll add it to the ever-expanding "watch later" list!
100% some are all about the subs and nostalgia for their hey day. Johnny is the only one who presents the viewer and the car hey day vibe.
Late braking means leaving braking until the very last moment *before changing direction*...
Ok, here I go, first time comment.
I have been professionally restoring and building cars for over 30 years.
The key to any restoration are as follows.
1. To look like it’s never been restored and to look like it’s just left the factory.
2. Not to eliminate any common faults the car had from factory.
I get the above for purists.
This Peugeot in my personal opinion and for my personal use, is spot on.
Looks like it’s just come out of the factory. Refined it and defined it. It’s a ripper of a Sunday drive.
I have done quite a few like this and at the moment, on with a Williams Clio and a Hilux LN106, go figure.
Brilliant video,,, excellently produced, well done.
Thanks for the comments. We are on the same page for sure!
I had a white 1.6 GTI in 1986 which I loved, so a red 1.9 followed in 1987, paid £10k brand new with sunroof 😀 had it 3 years and to this day it was the most fun on the road I ever had, hardly any cameras and less traffic on the roads. Happy days
Brilliant cars. I had a 1.9GTI in the late 90's and absolutely loved it. Still my favourite hot hatch and for me way more engaging that the bloated modern equivalents.
I had a 205 till 1998. Absolutely loved that tiny car with the racing spirit. Such a great greenhouse on it, it felt much bigger on the inside than on the outside. Light, nimble with plenty of power for that time. It had a willingness to just go faster and faster and swallow anything infront of it. It truly lived up to that Lion on its grill.
Best summary I’ve read, I had two :-)
The random chuckles and smile on Jonny's face as he rows up through the gears are sincere and genuine - this is the essence of being a petrolhead
There are something special about this old cars back then you felt a engagement you don't feel in todays cars, nowdays everything is disconnected from the driving
I saw a beautiful 205 GTI recently while on holiday with my partner. Despite me being a die-hard Golf girl, it really did bring a smile to my face. You don't see these around anymore, especially outside of Europe. So seeing one in a sleepy Australian beach town was a great surprise. Hot hatches really are such amazing little cars.
Totally agree with you Johnny, 3 door is what defines a hot hatch from the run-of-the-mill!
Thanks for the nostalgia, it was a great episode. Had a white 1.6 version whilst living in Guildford as a teen and now living in Oz, you brought me back to those great old days. I understand why people spend 45k on rekindling old memories.
I was 25, hired a 205 GTI from Town and Country at heathrow for 3 weeks in 1986 , being in the oilfield for 11 months.
You cannot replicate that, it was so much better than any car on the road. That 3 weeks, brilliant. Drove it in 86 like I stole it ! No Cameras.
Taking an old 205 and improving it ? Thats a 2020 experience and untrue to the experience.
No mate, some lucky buggers have had a 205 GTI since day one. Cars may have become faster but the 205 GTI was the best hot hatch of its day, made of paper
Better than any Ford, any Clio Williams. I loved it and drove it hard in that époque.
I had a 205 1.9 as company car when I was 23. I managed to get through all 4 tyres in less than 10k commuting to work and got a bollocking from our MD when he got the bill. Best car I ever drove. I now currently own 15 lavender bushes and am looking to buy another this weekend…
This made me chuckle, well done 😂
I've been arguing this for ages, less is more. Its scares me how quick electric cars can go in the hands of a very inexperienced driver on tight and restrictive roads. My weapon of choice back in the day was a MK1 Uno Turbo, loved that car.
Ahh yes, i too had an uno turbo (tweeked). A true giant killer.. joyous days indeed
Thankfully modern cars (EV and otherwise) with the equivalent of 350bhp+ are remarkably tame in comparison to hot cars of the 80s and 90s. Some of us may complain about intrusive driver aids from time to time but they are the only reason that inexperienced drivers are not ploughing through hedges in their new cars on a much more regular basis!
I had a mg metro turbo that was a hoot😊
The performance electric cars are very impressive for sure. Mostly in my view for the traction control / stability systems etc. People can just floor a 500 bhp electric and just go fast. The systems have complete control. Do that in a 300 hp petrol from 20 years ago and you’re instantly in trouble
@Scimmia nope not me. Just a technical observation with regard to modern power management systems. We are all about the old stuff here at ST170 Restoration 👍
Mine was graphite colour - I saved for this with a second job and bought one from a farmer when I was around 20 in 1986. I loved it and had a hell of a lot of fun with it! I miss the cloth red stitching seats now in my Model 3!
Yes, that was "Winchester Grey" I seem to remember - my old man had a new 309GTi in that colour, and it looked the biz in 1987 !
The Smile on Jonny's face as he pulled away absolutely says it all I went to a rave's in the back of these GTI's n Renault 5 turbo's n I loved driving n being driven in them I'm so glad companies are building n restoring cars of this generation keep up the Great work thanks for sharing Full Send UK
Honestly my favourite review you have ever done Johnny!
I had a 1.9 GTI in my 20s in Australia and it was and still is the best little car I’ve ever owned! So happy hearing that exhaust note again! 🙏
I had 2, one after the other in Sydney Australia in the late 90s too! Loved them!
You could talk for hours about this car,but your smile said it all instantly.
The font on the text overlays got me going real trippy!
Seriously though, I adore these 205s, I've always wanted one but the money in them just keeps going up. I'll add this to the list of unattainable cars I'd love to have!
Always wanted a 205 gti loved them, i was a ford man myself and had a string of fast fords including an xr2i and an escort rs turbo. these days i get my kicks at weekends in a fiesta 1.0 l stline 140 chipped to 185 bhp, like to call it my midlife crisis on a budget! great channel jonny keep the vids coming.
Such an great episode of the LBS. Analogue pure drivers car, with power you can actually use and appreciate. Oh and the presenter isn't bad either. Jonny knocked it out the park yet again.
bought a 182 Trophy in January for the exact same reasons as you enjoyed the GTI. small, feels good, feels fast and loads of fun
Epic cars! I had no. 168 some time ago. Loved it.
In my garage is a Miami Blue 67k miles 1.9 GTi. Needless to say, I love it.
I had same, had smooth back, full magnex and manifold and tuned by grahame goode
My dad had one of the last non-cat non-PAS 1.9 GTis. Miami blue with half leather - L413RAC. When I turned 17 we were quoted £6K just to name me on the policy!
@@colinkemp3016 Mine is a 1993 L reg too and one of the last 1.9 GTi’s registered (Sept 1993) and they were all CAT at that time. If your Dads was a non CAT on an L then It must of been sitting in a field for a year or two before getting registered…. I’m intrigued 🤓
@@amnril I'm intrigued as well now Neil! It replaced a 1.6 GTi very much on the spur of the moment as was in the dealership (just outside Edinburgh) I remember us getting it on 1st Aug. May well have been sitting in stock for a bit. Mentioned it once on Pistonheads and somebody posted a photo of it now doing autotests and rallycross.
@@colinkemp3016 I’ve just googled it and whilst it’s a little woolly (1992….1993) it looks likely that in the UK, cars produced after August 1992 had to have a CAT and it was option prior to then. So yeah, your dads car is an interesting one. The DVLA shows your dads car as first registered in August 1993, a month before mine 👌 but mine is a CAT model. Interestingly, 205’s with RAC in the registration are usually Peugeot registered cars….. not customer, interesting !!
I had the 1.6 gti it was a 1986 model i bought it in 1995!. cracking car I loved it..
Jonny this car is like a time machine, it brings you back to a time when life seemed easier. Us who had a great years growing up owe so much to our families and for those who grow up without that love and care I wish you well bring that to your children. You looked like 16 years old all over again Jonny I say go there, met your heroes live the past and bring back the days and find that smile we so often now we seem to have lost. Thank you Jonny
The smile on your face says it all! Another awesome video!
Absolute Belter of a wee car! I've had 4 in various iterations and I think it's about time to get a 5th. I'd love to see them do a 309 GTi Resto! Great episode!
Agree, my girlfriend at the time, Davina, her brother had a 1.9 GTI and I was so jealous. Was the 309 a 205 with a bigger boot? or was the chasis different etc?
I always loved the Goodwood....
@@stevepoo1762 It was originally going to be a Talbot (the Arizona). I believe it used the 205’s door frames, which would therefore have dictated its cabin dimensions. I always liked ‘em.
Still a great looking little car. Brought back memories of my 306 GTI-6. Great car but it had so many problems with the electrics.😜
wait what u here ? didnt expect that :D i love the peugeot , especially the pikes peak and rally variants
Thanks for this now im really hankering after another pug !
Got my self a 30 thousand mile 1.9gti totally standard as it left the showroom was left in a old chicken shed for years i bought it spent a good while replacing brake lines among other stuff drove it 3 weeks until someone crashed into it total loss in 2011 insurance paid out just over 2 grand 😢
I used to love the 309 GTI 1.9 which was essentially the same car in half salon guise. I just remember the throttle response was like it was turbocharged. Reminiscing hitting the M60 slip road going to see Nan in Bury and feeling like nothing could ever keep up 🥰 King of the road !
The intro has Grand Designs feel to it. I like it.
Love the 205gti!!! Many fond memories! I remember my mate selling his pride and joy. A tuned 1.9 to a neighbour and two days later they wrapped it around a lamppost 😞. I’ve never seen him cry before until he found out!
The favorite car of my youth, and I even managed to get one for myself as my second own car, a white 205 XRD with the fabulous 1.9l Diesel engine. The only one that could be brought from a standstill up to around 50km/h without ever touching the accelerator, just clutch and the wonderful idling control and the absolutely smoothly running high torque engine, so refined! I loved my 205...
That’s the model I had; in 2002 I needed a cheapie runabout and even in diesel form it was a delight. I traded it in for a new 106GTI. Still adore the 205 for what it was. That clever rear suspension on such a light little car made for comfort and cornering
The 1.7 and 1.9 litre diesel engines without a turbo were gutless and totally uninspiring.
@@alexmorgan3435 I had the 1.9 and it had a very limited Rev band - if you kept it between 1.2-2.3k it pulled really well. Beyond that the ability to accelerate dropped off. That said; it had lots of torque, and mine was a well-used car. When you were on form choosing the right time to change gear - that car was very enjoyable to drive, albeit hard work on a long distance B road run. Great road holding and handling
@@sullivanrachael The 205 was never given the 1.9 diesel engine. It was only a 1.7 litre diesel engine producing about an asthmatic 60bhp in non turbo form.
@@alexmorgan3435 I’ll stand corrected. It was 20yrs ago
You push out quality episodes after another! The Peugeot 205 GTi was pretty cool back in the day..and still is
This just makes me só happy. Not a sleeper build with 1.001 hp, ‘just’ an excellent design, mated with modern tech. It reminds me of my ‘94 1.1, which I bought as a 17 y/o in 2019: the same liveliness, the same practicality, and the same good looks! Granted, mine is a bit lethargic, but that makes it even more pet-like. And hey, it still got the the North cape and back!
These early 90s economy cars are the new enthousiast cars, for a world in which petrol won’t be as commonplace as it is now: all of the experience, wile still getting 19km/L!
I used to work for a Peugeot dealer when i was just turned 18, we used to pick up these cars from a compound 10 miles away, they were fantastic little hatches & were such a great super mini to drive, i only ever had the 1.8 diesel model but even that was so nippy & light, & 60 to the gallon, i had it looking like a 1.9 GTI even though it was a 5 door, it still looked the part, id love to try & reclaim my youth again when i retire,! Love watching your channel Johnny, keep up the good work & vids! :).
Oh wow. I had this car in 1989/90 and LOVED it. Seemed so fast back then. Mine was also a 1.6 in the same colour as the video but without the leather interior (black cloth I seem to remember) and I think the wheels were different (the ones in the video could be from the 1.9 but I'm not 100%). Of course it was unbelievably dangerous compared to modern cars - no ABS, no crumple zones, no air bags etc etc. but it weighed almost nothing - less than half the Tesla Model 3 SR+ sitting outside now.
Grinning like a Cheshire Cat…. What a watch.. absolute nostalgia
Loved this episode! I have a 306 GTI sat under an old rug in a barn in France struggling to get the new-style certificate of conformity so I can finally switch it’s plates and drive it again. The 205 GTI is as gorgeous today as it was when it came out. I personally think the 306 GTI is too. Also agree with the 3-door point, I might be the only 3-door Golf GTD driver on the road, or it certainly feels that way!
You're not alone there. 306 was a belter!
Yep, loved my 306 gti6. I’ve also had a 106 s1 rallye, which was great too. I’d give either drive space again.
Know what you are saying about two door hot hatches but the Lancia Delta Integrale is the exception. Pure perfection and four door
Agreed... True Hot Hatches can only have 3 doors.
Even the leather seats are pushing your Hot Hatch credentials, the Quartet Red/Antracite seats are part of the 205 GTi magic sauce too.
Yeah I was wondering about that? I remember them all having red carpet and red and black ish seats?
I worked for a now defunct car rental company back in the late 80s. We used to rent these, 1.6s, and they were pretty much always out. Fabulous little cars and remain among my all time faves. I remember, I had one on a day off once and went for a drive from my flat in London... ended up in Plymouth. I knew a girl at uni down there. I didn't tell her I was coming - no mobile phones - and she was out when I got there. I didn't care. It was a fabulous day's driving!
as an owner of an original '89 205 gti i approve of this
Yup. Had my 1.9 for 24 years now. Doubt I’ll ever sell it.
Thank you!
Oh I loved my phase 1 205 XS. 3 door, gti interior, twin webers, power bulge, steel wheels, gearbox in the sump, best steering of any car I’ve had. E108 CJA, bloody brilliant it was.
I had the XS as my first car! Gti panels as an addition, 1.9 wheels, etc. Slightly fettled engine. Was such an incredible little car. Awesome experience with great memories. 👍👌
This was a beautifully put together episode. The audio , the videography , the information and driving.
It's quite rare for me to watch a YT video of this length without being bored and switching off but this had me hooked
from start to finish. What a machine! Thank you Jonny.
A 1.6 Gti was my 3rd car... Adored and slightly modded it.. Can't believe they're Escort prices, but shouldn't be suprised...!
Tolman have done an amazing job, it's super-mint.... Thanks Johnny X
Cheers 🍺
Brings back amazing memories my older brother had a 1.9 GTI I remember thinking omg this is so fast and my brothers mate had a 5 GT turbo good times thanks for this 🙌🙌
Jonny's smile says it all and shows how much fun some cars are. I drove a friend's 205gti a few years ago and it was just as much fun as I remember from the 90s.
Great video Jhony really enjoyed it keep them coming 👏🏾👊🏽👍🏽🥂
Having more fun going slower means it lasts longer 👍🏼 Definitely love to see more of this type of restomod
My heart has just melted,I really love the GTI,just need a plan so I can get one,
What a great car. I loved the 1.9 more though. Went to many raves all over the uk in one back in the day.
Great acoustics in the cabin too. 👌
Best feeling front wheel drive car ever for me.
I'm a rwd guy but the "Pug" was phenomenal!
Great vlog! Thanks for the nostalgia and memories!😁
Absolutely pal, I have owned 2 GTIs, 2 CTis and now I am restoring a "basket case" 1990 CTI 1.6, I truly love the model & in New Zealand a Cabrio/convertible is very usable & real fun. Have bought a set on 15" GTI 1.9 wheels so I can buy better tyres. Roll on next summer.
Awesome car. Loved how Johnny is grinning in nearly every shot. Car makes Johnny happy.
I remember back in my college days, one of the lads had a 205 1.4 XS. It was like the budget GTi. Even that thing was a riot !.
So much more desirable than any modern hot hatch, or even supercar
Great to see a company 👍 saving a classic and making it a daily in today's Times. Big thank you 😊 🙏
Thank you! We are on a mission!
@@nickboaz4894 Any chance of seeing the 309 gti on the mission list ?
@@jayteeee1972 We will turn our hand to it if someone brings us one!
when I win the lottery I'll be on the phone to these guys immediately. Dream fulfilled. Bucket list item ticked. Why, in the day, did I buy a Kadet GSI? Why why why why why? My wife had a 205 Green (Lacoste without the crocodile) and we both know it was the best car we ever had.
My mum owned a 1.6 205 Gti, she absolutely hated it because of maintenance cost (she was used to 1.1's) and because of fuel consumption but she always drove it as if the devil himself chased her. Needless to say I loved it, and I regretted not buying one ever since as they're not very affordable anymore.
They’re affordable now as dropping like a stone in price like Golf Gti’s too…
we are with friend currently rebuilding 205 1.9 rallye, with D6B head and mapable electronic ignition, to make it 120+ hp from 102 scratch... love these cars, nothing ever felt to drive like those
What a car. One of my all time favourites in my near 40yrs of driving. Had a white 1.6 and a red 1.9.
Reminds me of the Peugeot advertisements of the time: "You'll feel better in a Peugeot"! I still have a 205, exact same red color as the one sitting in the garage, and no plans to ever sell it. Great restoration job too!
Best looking car in the world I'll always have a 205 in my life
Class episode, Jonny. Big fan of small lightweight hatchbacks, might not be the quickest of things these days but you know who's having the most fun with the widest of smiles on their face.
I had a 1.6 25+ years ago and loved the handling and lightweightness, but imo, the best naturally aspirated hot hatch back then was a strada Abarth 130tc😍 with a 2.0, twin webers! A friend had one.
Good luck finding one of those to restore now!😃
I had a luke warm 1990 Lancia Delta GT.ie
@@MOSSFEEN 90 or 107PS?
The latter was probably similar to the strada 105tc.
Fiats, and likely Lancia, always seemed to rev/drive faster than expected!
Probably due to lower weight over time due to rust 😂
@@James-RJM 110bhp Never had any real problems with rust on it Just on boot door itself small scab by the wiper. It used to Eat tyres and the alloys were made from tin foil other than That it was a brilliant car
@@MOSSFEEN 😂 You clearly had a young car, or was it reddish/brown in colour 😉
I know they galvanised the steel later on but pretty sure it was around the time of the later integrale evolution!? Likely similar with fiat.
My friend's gorgeous red Abarth 130tc was about 5 years old and plenty of rust already, especially around the door handles 😒
I certainly have very fond memories of that but also of many others, including my late father's ur quattro 10V which I know now, albeit a classic in so many ways, was not particularly quick or dynamic compared to more recent modern cars lol..
I think my current GR Yaris actually covers the hot hatch/awd homologation quite nicely 🙂
@@James-RJM Yes she was a WINE coloured bought in 1996ish with 19000miles on the clock some auld fella owned it before me it was spotless Traded in a 1986 Pug 205 Gti in against it £4000 loved it
My mate had 3 205Gtis. 1st a 1.6, 2nd a 1.9 and the third a 1.6 rally car. Always very jealous as I couldn't afford the insurance. When I could afford one I was then doing 80miles a day and 205 was never going to do that mileage, so I bought a 405 Sri. Brilliant all rounder with the same peppy 1.9 8v engine( Peugeot were brilliant back in the 80/90's). I then bought a 309dturbo, another great car. But i still wanted them the peppy 205gti. New job, working close to home, my chance to buy one was there. All the 205's I could find were a mess and needed work. I needed a reliable day to day car and 205 GTI was never going to cut it!
Enter the Clio Williams. Fantastic fun, great reliability and Great looks.
Still got it today but is now being nut and bolt restored.
Can't wait to get it back on the road!
8:43 it sounds incredible! I was such a big fan of this car, the size, the multifunctional character of it, typical daily driver, but mostly a fun car you love to watch in front of your house, or just get inside it to drive around for hours, just for the hell of it. Music on, cup of coffee in the cupholder and off you go...
Cup holder? Fancy
@@lukeoshannassy small things in life... Not even sure this one had cup holders so yeah, fancy ;-)
In 1991 my Grandad part exchanged his Mk1 Fiesta Sandpiper in for a mint low miles charcoal 1987 205 1.6GTi and it was phenomenal. I had never been in such a small car that was so fast. He only owned it 8 months before passing away and i so desperately wanted it for myself...but at 14 i had no way of buying it let alone insuring it at 17! A wonderful car.
Had a 1.6 and two 1.9,s!
Both versions were amazing!!
1.9 was rapid for the day and price..👌
Jonny, that sounds sooo good, perfect subtle modified car, usable but not butchered. Lightweight, enough power and beautiful.. Peugeot best ever work, never bettered design IMHO!
Memories of the 205 from my youth is why I now drive a Suzuki Swift Sport, the last of the normally aspirated warm hatches. It's a bit heavier than the 205, but light by modern standards and it's utterly reliable. I've driven over 150k miles in it and it still makes me smile, on a twisty back road I've never had so much fun, at sensible speeds.
I remember back in the day turning my nose up at the Peugeots until I had the chance of a go in a 1.6 205 "CTi" - the soft top version and was really impressed by how it drove. I hope a company out there takes on this sort of restomod but on the Astra GTE 16V ;)
So relieved it isn't lowered. The roads around Marton are where we thrashed them "back in the day"
👍 Car is very useable!
Ah, memories! The 205 could have killed me lots and lots of times in my youth. It had a vicious switch between under/overs steer on tarmac when driven on the limit. By the way, I had a 205 diesel that was faster in the acceleration then the 1.9 GTI. Not exactly standard - I put in a larger engine, fiddled with it and kept the original gearing. It revved out on 5'th gear at around 160. But I could start from a full stop in 5'th gear. It was a hillarious car that me and my brother even drove to the north cape.
The best hot hatch bar none in my eyes. Ok the Golf might claim it but just look at it. Loved the 205. What a masterpiece.
for me the Mini Mini is the king
Knocked it out the park again Mr Smith, another excellent episode, and one car I need to add to my dream garage to own or drive is a 205 GTi. Still a great looking car even if it is knocking on the door as the same age as me!
I had a phase 1 E reg 1.9 back when, as you say they were "throwaway" , I paid 1700 quid when I was 22. I absolutely loved everything about it, even the smell! Unfortunately the big end bearing killed it, and I sold it for pennies and moved on! 20 years later I was dreaming of owning another, but they were so expensive. During the early stages of lockdown I decided that a 3 door base model was the way to go, and found a tidy L reg Mardi gras, for 400 quid. It now looks like a decent 1.9 after spending about 1500 quid, and I'm now working towards changing all the running gear. This video has been the final inspiration I need! 👍👍
This is the stuff I watch your show for, and barn finds obvs. Cheers 👍🏆
I've got a Lupo GTI and it gives me all the same feelings you described here. Doesn't need 300bhp to be fun and feel fast. Another car that doesn't look anywhere near its age aswell!
Lots and lots of lovely Lupo.
Love that colour, wish they'd done a 1.9... or keep the original 1.6 wheels.
Finally, someone mentioned the miss matched wheels. They made a big deal about making it look original under bonnet but didn't use the 1.6 pepper pots!
My grandpa had this 1.6 GTI. Most beautiful car ever done.
I always miss owning one to these. Even the sketchy ones I had with clapped out rear beams 😅
There is just something about them..
I have had my 205 1.9gti for 20 years now, and have owned some modern fast cars in that time including a 997 and modern golf gti. Every time I get in my 205, it gives me a level of fun that modern faster cars can't get near
It’s a fantastic piece of design. Peugeot and Pininfarina were at the top of their game with this generation of cars. Hope to see lots of these and cars like it being built.
Great video. Great car.
Pininfarina's involvement with the 205 is they built the CT (cabriolet) models, but they didn't design the 205, they designed the 104. The 205 external design is Gérard Welter's team (Peugeot in-house designer) and the original interior design (not this second series) was made by Paul Bracq (the Mercedes Pagode designer).
I thought this looked familiar- it was parked in the shop at Caffeine & Machine when I went a few weeks ago. Great little car!
I was hoping they would have put the interior back together with a bit more thought than what was possible on the production line. It still shakes and rattles like the original, and doing a ground up restoration for refinement should include making the interior panels sit more solid IMO Also still would have been fun if it was a MI16 job done like if it was OEM spec.
It’s a fair point. Thanks.
tbh, I kinda liked that it did squeak and rattle, it made it feel more genuine. Hate to think how much it would cost to make it none squeaky and rattley... If it bothered me in town, crank the Blaupunkt, if out and about rev the bejeeesus out of it :D
@@vokstar Sure but that blaupunkt probably does not feed very much in terms of audio equipment anyway. I mean crank the stereo in the 80s and you blow those small paper cones at the first Rick Astley intro. And it is not always fitting or nice to be revving the car out all the time. Since they were discussing bringing this old car into a more modern world, I think this rattling is a big oversight. It has been discussed numerous times on forums how to get rid of it. And normally people say "its a 205 just live with it", but when we start talking about ground up restorations and company restomodded "ultimate" 205s, I think a more up to date NVH level is part of that refinement process. Otherwise its "just" a very nice tuned 205.
Another fantastic episode with such an iconic, beautiful car. Noticed a few editing glitches in this episode but still a quality piece of content to watch with a nice cuppa. Far better than any other automotive content on TV!
Citroen bbx 16valve was a monster(probably why so many of their engines ended up in modded 205 gti's) , would be nice if you could do one of them..
There’s a couple of beautiful examples for sale right now. Would look great next to my 1.9 GTi and 182 Trophy
Man, it's awesome. I'm so jealous. Never in a million years could I have afforded these old-school hot-hatches as a teenager. It's very cool to have the ability to get one now with modern upgrades.
The cars of that period have aged extremely well, especially the Peugeot's 205, 106, 306, etc! Same for the Golf Mk's 1, & 2, after that they became very bloated! I maintain that the 106 was the direct successor to the Hillman Imp, after Peugeot took control of the PSA once it had consumed the Rootes Group back in the mid '60s!
I have said for a long time that all the EU regs. on so-called safety has caused all these hot hatches to be come over weight and soulless, as they have become remote as far as feel for the driver is concerned! And for those who want fun cars at reasonable prices then Restomod is the way to go!
I bet you won't say this this when you get the bill for a proper Restomod as done by Tolman!!! £25-30k.
@@alexmorgan3435 for that you get basically a new better more powerful and better handling car
@@russcooke5671 Don't over do it. The 205 GTI was good in std spec and I am sure this restomod makes improvements but it isn't a Toyota Yaris GR which would cost you the same money. It's still a 30-35 years old car as fun as it is.
@@alexmorgan3435 of course. But you don’t buy cars to judge other cars by. You can’t judge a forty year old car with a modern one. I should think most people that want these cars are people that have already owned one. I bet no one in there twenties or thirties are going to get one. 👌👌👌👌👌
Just saw this car up close and personal at Caffeine and Machine. Wonderful piece of kit.
Thank you. 🙏
Great looking restoration and the L jetronic did need an update as it had a tendency to have a flat spot when coming off idle if not set up just right. However, it does bother me that it is supposed to be a 1.6 GTi, but it has the larger 15 inch 1.9 wheels. Would look better with the original pepper pot 1.6 GTi 14 inch wheels
...glad I wasn't the only one to spot they used wheels from the 1.9. The 1.9 was the one to have, looks much better.
@@mattsimpson5009 and if I remember correctly, the 1.9 had a slightly different shell with wider arches to accomodate the bigger wheels.
@@andrewf4797 Yes, it was very subtle, but you could instantly tell if a 1.6 had 1.9 wheels on it....it just didn't look quite right.
I had a both back in the day, and even though it may be nostalgia speaking, I still think the 1.9 was the best car I ever had.
This was the era for me, when I felt the most excitement for the cars of that time. I've always been a Ford man, so for me it was the Escort RS Turbo (Sierra Cosworth, XR4i, XR2, XR3i, & XR3i Cabriolet etc), but endless nights plotted up in Romford etc, my fondest memories include all the hot hatches of the time..Peugeot 205 Gti, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Astra GTE 16v, VW Golf Gti and so on. Even the MG Montego Turbo, MG Maestro's, MG Metro Turbo's etc etc, can all put a smile on my face!! What I'd give to be able to go back to the late 80's lol
All 80's and 90's Peugeots were a good steer regardless of engine choice.
My dad had a 309 GLD, loved that car and as a family we had three 306s.
Those who turn their nose up at French cars and deride them, really don't know what they are missing.
They lost their way a bit in the 00's but they are finding their way back.
Agreed had a 405 saloon it was an absolutely fantastic car to punt along. Alive in your hands like very little today.
The dashboard takes me back to 1989. Love the big dials. Beautiful car.
The only difference from standard that's noticeable on the outside is the 1.9 alloys on it instead of the 1.6's.
Very clean considering its age now 😊👍
That was my first thought but I preferred the pepper pot style 1.6s. I also preferred the cloth seats, leather just looks wrong in a 1.6.
@@ramalufc322 +1
Stunning edit this one Jonny! What a cracking car I love to see companies doing things properly and this is no exception. Another great video!
Thanks!