1980 Peugeot 205 GTi – Project Profile

The Peugeot 205 GTi was, is and always will be a fantastic car. In either 1.6 or 1.9-litre guise it’s one of the true greats of the classic hot hatch world from a time when Peugeot could make fun, interesting, and more importantly, exciting cars. Many prefer the 1.6 for its revvier engine while others extol the virtues of the 1.9 for its nicer interior and better brakes. Whatever the case, they are both brilliant to drive, but with this particular 1980 Peugeot 205 GTi that argument is all a bit moot. You see, this car has neither of those engines. Although badged as a 1.6 this particularly spicy specimen has been fitted with Peugeot’s Mi16 lump from the larger 405, which means 16 valves, an extra 325cc and a peak power output of 160bhp. That’s over 50 more than the standard 1.6-litre that it replaces, and we’re all for it.

Such an engine swap is a pretty straightforward affair for the little 205 and it has historically been a popular way to make an already fun and provocative car even more so. At least back when the 205 GTi and 405 Mi16 could both be picked up for reasonable money. Sadly that’s no longer the case and prices for the little ’80s French hero have been climbing steadily for years now but this could be your opportunity to pick one up for less than four grand. Yes, it needs a bit of work but then this series is called Project Profile for a reason.

What is it? 

Not only does this modified 205 GTi have the larger and more powerful engine but it has also been fitted with Kent cams to better utilise the additional power. Clearly set up as a track car it features a full roll cage too, along with Corbeau bucket seats and a full compliment of Bilstein suspension and the wider wheels from its 1.9 brother. We’re not messing about here. Unfortunately the ad is a little light on details but what we do know is that the car has covered between 124,000 and 174,000, depending on if you go by the clocks or the MOT details. Whatever the case, it has been sitting for approximately 8 years which means it would need a thorough going over to determine exactly what state it’s in and what needs to be sorted.

Why is it a project? 

Precisely because it has been sitting for so long. According to the seller the car does run “fine” with video evidence being available. Hardly the exultant declaration of health but at least it means that the car is a runner. There is talk of a water leak though, so this would need to be investigated, along with any evidence of overheating issues. Being as the car is non standard it would be pertinent to ascertain who carried out the work and to what level. To quote the advert, the car is being “sold as a project as needs work doing” and that’s the 64,000 dollar question – what work exactly?

Five things to look for:

1) Engine

This is the big one for us. Larger engine swaps are not uncommon and the Mi16 is a popular choice for the 205 but what condition is the thing in and was it a professional install? Have a look through any history for any receipts or invoices for the swap and whether there is any information on the replacement motor. In addition to scouring the paperwork conduct a full physical inspection of the engine to determine its condition. Where is that aforementioned water leak coming from and has it caused any overheating issues? Don’t rely on the temp gauge either. Get in amongst the cooling system components and carry out a thorough check. The Mi16 engine needs regular timing belt changes too, at least every 36,000 miles, so check for any evidence of this along with other routine maintenance and fluid changes.

2) Body and Chassis

205 bodies were a little on the flimsy side and this is a track-spec car so dents and dings may be par for the course. Rust can be an issue for the inner wings, bulkhead and sills but repair panels are available. From the pictures we can see some discolouration above both rear sills so inspect these areas carefully to see how bad they are. It’s unclear whether or not this 205 has actually seen any track action or not yet but either way it would be pertinent to get underneath and check for any damage to the chassis or botched repair work in case driver confidence has outstripped ability at any point.

3) Steering, Suspension and Brakes

Again, if this car has been tracked then the stresses on the steering, suspension and braking components will have been greatly exacerbated. Worn bushes and ball joints will manifest as knocking and creaking but these can all be easily replaced. Check that the car isn’t sagging on it’s suspension and that the camber of the wheels doesn’t look too severe as this can indicate worn roller bearings. It’s a good idea to get the car off the ground and have a good tug on all the wheels to uncover any potential play. Check the brake pipes for any corrosion and inspect the discs and pads for excessive wear too.

4) Interior

The interior has been largely stripped but it’s imperative that the Safety Devices roll cage has been professionally fitted and that all of the mounting points are safe and secure so check for receipts. It’s the same situation with the after market bucket seats and harnesses too. The fact that there is a fire extinguisher mounted on the dash instils hope that some thought has gone in to the build.

5) History

A good history folder is always important but arguably more so where a modified car is concerned, especially one as heavily revised as this particular 205. It’s all well and good having a more powerful, track-prepped toy but if the work has been carried out on a budget or without due care and attention then it’s a disaster waiting to happen so make sure everything is kosher.

What should you do with it? 

There’s only one way to go with this 205 GTi, and that’s to carry on the theme and take it racing. Trying to get this car back to its original form would be an exercise in futility as so much work has already gone into making it something else entirely. After not being used for so long, however, a full inspection and service is a no-brainer, assuming that the modifications have been carried out to a high standard. At £3,500 it’s a bit of a bargain and could make a very cheap way into track day shenanigans. Being a 205 GTi with 160bhp you’d be hard pressed to find something as exciting and engaging for the money.