Tolman 205 GTi – The Ultimate Restomod?

Hot hatches are a hot commodity right now. There are myriad reasons for this. It could be because the hot hatches of the ’80s are now legitimate classics. It might be a case of buyers chasing the cars they couldn’t afford when they were 17, but now can. Or it might just be a case of hot hatches being timelessly cool. Whatever your motivation for wanting a hatchback that is hot, the fact is, you want them. Take the mighty Peugeot 205GTi. In the last month alone, the better part of ten thousand of you have searched for one here on Car & Classic. And that’s why we’re confident this Tolman version will well and truly tickle your hot hatch pickle.

Tolman first showed us what it could do last year when it built and tested its own 1600cc development car. After receiving critical acclaim for how it revived the authentic feeling of driving an engaging and lightweight hot hatch, the Warwickshire firm determined that the specification of that car would form the basis of a Tolman Edition. Customers are able to add optional performance or convenience elements based upon how they want to enjoy the car. This one is different though. Built from a 1.9, it packs around 200bhp under that iconic bonnet.

The project starts with a 205 GTi, naturally. Tolman can source it, or you can supply your own. The car is stripped bare, as in down to the metal itself, it receives the latest in anti-corrosion, stone chip, fresh paint in a colour of your choosing and ceramic coating protection. From this starting point, it takes 700 hours to incorporate the performance and convenience features to revive and breathe new life into this icon. Everything is refurbished, replaced or renewed in the name of perfection. And during all this, a whole host of modifications are implemented, too.

Whether 1600cc or 1900cc, all Tolman Edition cars have a ported cylinder head for better breathing. The first customer car goes further and benefits from a significantly upgraded powertrain to offer more low-down torque for road use. Designed and built entirely in-house by Chris Tolman, who assembled British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and World Rally Championship (WRC) engines before founding Tolman Engineering in 2007, its 1900cc engine now sports a ported 16V head and bespoke billet cam cover, whilst retaining the XU aluminium block. Tolman opted for this as opposed to the more common swap of the Mi16 unit as there is a larger scope for increased performance with the alternative cylinder head. Coupled with new cams, the power for a 16V car can be in excess of 200bhp.

There’s a Motec ECU with fly-by-wire throttle, a stainless exhaust system, you have the option of a Quaife ATB differential, the gear shift is upgraded over standard for a more direct feel, there is new suspension throughout care of Bilstein dampers, new bushes and so on. The brakes are the optional beefier AP Racing items, new lines, new cables, new everything. This is a restomod, but it’s also a brand new classic car at heart.

Inside, the upgrades make a ‘Tolman Edition’ a delight to use every day. An optional Motec LCD anti-reflective dashboard display, as chosen by the first customer, replicates the analogue clocks of the original with the ability to display more data and access custom pages and designs. Fully retrimmed seats, new carpets and Alcantara steering wheel are complemented by electric windows and Blaupunkt audio system with discreet subwoofer, Bluetooth and DAB. 205s have always been attractive for thieves to take without consent, so Tolman’s first customer has opted to fit an advanced security system with remote central locking, integrated alarm, immobiliser, tracker system and smartphone control.

“The overriding impression from those experiencing our development car was the emotions it invoked. Drivers stepped out of the car grinning, having rekindled that feeling that’s so hard to find when driving today’s sports cars on the road,” says Chris Tolman. “Back in the 80s and 90s, for me and I’m sure many others, 205 GTIs were a first taste in performance cars; something rewarding, responsive and engaging. We wanted to recreate that feeling of being at one with the road, a car you can just jump in and simply enjoy driving hard. Current hot hatches surpass these cars in so many areas but despite having loads of power and incredible dynamics, they fail to rekindle that emotional involvement that made us feel special with the 205.”

The starting price of £55,000 includes delivery within mainland UK, 12 months parts and labour warranty and a 12-month service and inspection at Tolman Engineering, subject to Ts&Cs.

If this is the direction the restomod world is moving in, we couldn’t be happier. These hot hatches represent a huge moment in automotive history, and they mean so very much to so many enthusiasts. The Tolman Edition might not be cheap, but that’s a relative term. For what you get, the quality of work, and to experience what is in essence a brand new and improved classic 205 GTi is unbeatable. Now all you need to do is have a look on Car & Classic for the perfect donor Peugeot 205 GTi.