In 2021 I purchased a Volkswagen ID.4 to serve as my daily driver and our main road trip vehicle. My rationale was that I love Volkswagens (with an irrational passion) and the ID.4 was the first real new vehicle to be released by the brand in the post-Dieselgate era. As honest an attempt at repairing its tarnished image as it was to meet emissions rules and curtail emissions, the ID.4 was a good car and did all the things you want a car to do with competence. Despite this, when the car’s lease was up , I gave it back to Volkswagen. Why is a topic for another day.

What does that have to do with today’s Good Find Friday car, a 1985 Peugeot 205 GTI? Well, as I think about my next move in the car world, I am torn between my two loves: counter-culture, weird or vintage vehicles and practical cars for daily use. I started to ponder: what cars could satisfy both of those wants?

As it was never sold in America, the Peugeot 205 GTI is a relatively unknown example of an 80s hot hatch. The Volkswagen Rabbit GTI and later Golf GTI are much more known in this country, along with other sporty compact hatches of the period like the Dodge Omni GLHS or the Honda Civic SI. This one is for sale from Nelli Auto in Italy for €13,650.

Launched in 1984, almost a decade after the Volkswagen GTI, the first Peugeot 205 GTI utilized a 1.6L 4-cylinder gas engine putting out about 105bhp. A 1.9L engine introduced in 1986 put out more horsepower and torque ratings, and therefore commands a higher premium. But the 1.6L engine found under the hood of our Good Find Friday feature car is still a potent powerplant for such a small, light vehicle.

While I’ve never driven a Peugeot GTI, the driving experience is said to be pretty thrilling, as you’d expect. The close-ratio 5-speed transmission apparently shift fantastically with quick gear changes. The suspension and handling is where the car really shines and this is primarily due to its fully independent suspension, made up of MacPherson struts up front and torsion bars mounted to a longitudinal beam out back. The car also was the first to use long drop-links for the front sway bar, which contributed to its ultra-precise steering feel and response.

Exterior features of the Peugeot 205 GTI included a deep front valance with fog lights, a custom rear valance, and bright red inserts on front and rear bumper and side trim. This car appears to be painted in the Graphite Gray Metallic finish available on Phase 1 cars.

Special side mirrors, branded inserts on the c-pillars, rear hatch spoiler, and a ribbed tail panel rounded out the sporty exterior enhancements. Though the bodies on these cars were fully galvanized, they are approaching 40 years old and rot can occur. Places to look include behind the headlights and front bumper, the inner shells of the doors, footwell areas and the rear of the sills.

Inside, the Peugeot 205 GTI introduced a revised instrument binnacle, featuring a rev counter with GTI logo, and much more supportive front seats. Our subject vehicle’s interior is in overall good condition, with some visible seam splitting and wear on the driver’s seat base.

The seats on this 205 GTI have cloth bolsters, suggesting it could have been a French-market vehicle originally. The centers were a velour fabric called “Ramier” in France.

Brittle trim is an issue on any economy car from the 80s, as are corroded connections in the electrics. As most interior trim pieces are unobtainium, this is something to inspect carefully.

The engine bay on this example could use a good cleaning, but appears completely stock which is a plus. Mechanical parts for the engines are apparently still available, with the factory now providing classic spares under the l’Aventure Peugeot division.

The car appears appears to roll on the standard export market 14×5.5 inch 12-hole Speedline wheels.

The only visible area of real concern in the photographs is the enormous tank mounted in the rear trunk. It’s consuming an awful lot of cargo capacity and its purpose is unclear to me, and not mentioned by the seller. With values on the rise, many 205 GTIs are being returned to stock configuration, which we’d heartily recommend.

Peugeot 205 GTIs are making a bit of a comeback with values for good 1.9L cars approaching $30,000 USD or more. The reason I selected this car is many fold: it has one of my preferred color combinations, it’s a 1.6 and therefore a little more sedate and affordable, its mileage is higher but not extreme at only 78,000 miles and it’s priced right on the average for these cars at $14,807. Bringing a car like this across the Atlantic wouldn’t be cheap, but if you were planning to hold on to it for a while, you may make it back. As there are many 205 GTIs listings out there, you can certainly find a deal if you’re patient.

In the meantime, you’d have a fun, practical and unusual collectible to enjoy. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!