Highlights
- Genuine low mileage
- 3 previous owners from new
- MOT to May 2023
- Dry-stored for the last 15 years
- Presented in excellent original condition
- Desirable Cherry Red paintwork
- £3,000 recently spent
The Appeal
For anyone that loved cars in the 80s or 90s, the hot-hatch wars had two distinct sides – you were either a Golf GTI fan, or a 205 GTI fan. Both cars were incredible and developed a passionate and loyal fanbase. It’s perhaps no wonder then that they’re both increasingly sought-after and collectible cars, as petrolheads who may not have been able to afford them when new indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
This particular 205 GTI is a Phase 2 model, with the various upgrades and enhancements that brought over the Phase 1 making up much of the appeal. It’s also presented in exceptionally original and solid condition – clearly this has been someone’s pride and joy for many years.
With these cars becoming ever rarer, and the market for 80s and 90s hot hatches absolutely booming, this is a great time to relive those halcyon days of the GTI. And this is as original and straight an example of the breed as you’ll find.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 20th August 1992
- 3 previous owners from new
- Dry-stored and very lightly used for the last 15 years
- Just 65,796 miles
- MOT until 9th May 2023 (advisory for tyres - full new set since fitted)
- Recent full service and cambelt change
- HPI checked
- Comes with a number of previous MOT certificates
- Receipts for works undertaken
- Original owner’s handbooks included
- Period sales brochures included
The Interior
- Phase 2 half-leather sports seats with ‘Monaco Tweed’ inserts
- Factory fitted sunroof
- Red carpets
- Electric windows
- Original radio/cassette
The cabin of the 205 GTI has always been a lovely place to spend time - the slender pillars and large glass area make it light and airy with great visibility. Those half-leather sports seats (exclusive to the Phase 2 models) provide great support, and are extremely comfortable. Here they are presented in excellent, original condition too. Wearing a light patina, with the only real sign of their age being some light rippling on the driver’s side bolster, they really are in excellent condition. When you look in the back, it appears the rear bench has hardly been used at all!
Fitted with contrasting red carpet and matching black/red door cards, all in very good condition, this is a very well preserved and clean interior. The dash, controls and other switchgear are all presented in fine condition, with only light age related wear to the usual contact points on the steering wheel and gear-knob.
The dash itself appears to have no UV damage and is not cracked, but instead looks very even, smooth and solid. There are some light scratches/blemishes on some of the internal plastics and trims, but these are purely cosmetic and very minor. With some nice little luxuries like a factory-fitted sunroof, electric windows and the original radio/cassette unit, this little hatch presents very well indeed.
At the rear, the boot features a rubber liner and cargo net which are also in very good condition. On lifting the liner and carpet, you can inspect the boot floor, which is incredibly fresh and tidy.
The Exterior
- Cherry Red paintwork (Phase 2 only)
- Recently refurbished alloy wheels
- Full set of new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres
- Factory-fitted front fog lights
All 205s are pretty cars, but the Phase 2 was enhanced with freshly designed external black trim, smoked rear light clusters and a series of new paint colours. This car is finished in Cherry Red (the equivalent of the Phase 1 colour ‘Rouge Vallelunga’) and the paintwork is really very good indeed. Appearing extremely original, with no rust or major blemishes, there can’t be too many 205s on the road in this kind of genuine condition. Of course, this is a 30 year old car, so the paintwork does have a few minor blemishes, and there is a ‘car park ding’ on the passenger side door. But it’s very minor and should respond well to a PDR fix.
Everywhere you look on this car, things are clean, fresh and well-kept. The door shuts, sills and rear arches – all known areas of concern on 205s – look spotless, with no evidence of corrosion or paint bubbling at all. The classic 15” Speedline alloys have been recently refurbished and reshod in new Michelin rubber, and look really very fine indeed.
The Mechanics
- 1.9-litre XU9JA engine
- 5-speed BE3 manual transmission
- Disc brakes all round
- £3,000+ recently spent inc. new cambelt
Naturally, as this is a hot-hatch, it’s really all about the driving experience. And that’s where the 205 truly excels. The longer stroke of the 1.9 offer a much more tractable drive than the smaller 1.6 GTI. Combined with the 5-speed manual box, it makes for a very enjoyable driving experience, with the car’s low curb weight making it a decidedly punchy little thing.
Some of the elements that make the 205 GTI so much fun to drive are the high-specification suspension and braking components. With disc brakes all round, fully independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, independent rear trailing arms and front/rear anti-roll bars, it’s no wonder the 205 has garnered a reputation as being the greatest handling hot-hatch of the period. The current keeper informs us that the car still feels very nimble and drives well, with a crisp gearchange and fine braking.
Under the bonnet, the engine bay appears in good, tidy and original condition. The keeper tells us that the car has recently benefited from a fresh service, new cambelt, alternator, air flow meter, throttle position sensor and rear brake pads. With these crucial elements having been refreshed, the new owner can be confident that this is a genuinely capable and reliable little car.
Summary
If you’re a fan of the 205 GTI, you probably don’t need us to tell you just how special this little cherry bomb is. Featuring a cracking colour scheme and specification, and presented in superb original condition with a fine history, this has to be one of the best 205s you’ll see.
You can really see how the low-mileage and dry-storage have benefitted the car, keeping the worst of the British weather at bay and preserving it remarkably well. We adore the fact that it wears its age and patina on its sleeve, this is a truly honest car.
For anyone that loved the 80s/90s hot-hatch era (and who doesn’t), a properly tidy 205 1.9 GTI is unicorn territory. From that rorty, surprisingly capable little naturally aspirated engine to the brilliant handling and achingly cool interior, it’s every inch the B-road hero.
There’s really only one question left to ask: why haven’t you bid yet?
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