1991 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9

• Superbly presented 'Phase 2' car in classic Cherry Red with 35,300 miles
• UK-supplied in early June 1991 by Summersdale Peugeot in Chichester
• Smart, unmolested interior in black half-leather and Monaco Tweed cloth
• Full-service history with 21 stamps in the book. Every service invoice from new
• The most recent service (June 2019) included a cambelt/water pump change
• The MOT is valid until August 2020, issued with no advisories
• These landmark cars are becoming increasingly collectable as practical classics

In many people's eyes, the Peugeot 205 was the definitive Eighties hatchback and the most perfect, practical design for a small car ever. Launched in 1983, it was a brilliant rival to the Renault 5 and the Ford Fiesta with its 'wheel at each corner' design and weighing only 875kg. No wonder it won What Cars magazine Car of the Year in 1983 and was declared Car of the Decade by CAR Magazine in 1990. The 1.6-litre GTi was blessed with brilliant handling and a revvy and eager 105bhp engine, however, the 1.9-litre GTi that followed, although externally and internally similar to its little sister was subtly different in character with 20 more bhp, a wider spread of torque, and was altogether more 'grown-up'.

Silverstone Auctions know good 205 GTis when we see them. In 2018 we achieved a new world record price for the model, beating the previous highest figure, which we had also again attained the year before. The car presented here may not have covered a similarly tiny mileage to the two record holders, but it's special in its own way and a worthy addition to our 205 back-catalogue.

This smart example was originally supplied to a Mr K C Tomlins of Hayling island by Summersdale Peugeot in Chichester, West Sussex prior to being first registered in early June 1991. It was serviced at Summersdale for the first 10 years of its life until the owner at the time switched to another nearby Peugeot dealer. Comfortingly, our vendor has all the service invoices going back to the very first service on 21/08/91.

The overall condition of this very low mileage 205 is excellent, having never been restored. The bodywork appears spot-on with only a couple of minor blemishes and the Cherry Red paintwork has been professionally polished and exudes a wonderful shine. The black half-leather, Phase 2 interior is also in great shape with seats and carpets showing minimal wear. The original Clarion stereo and speakers remain in place and, importantly, the original rear parcel shelf has not been modified to take larger, after-market speakers. We understand that all the electrics work just as they left the factory as does the sunroof with all its seals intact. The car is excellent mechanically and during the last three years it has been serviced twice by a well-known Peugeot 205 specialist and set up on a 'rolling road'. The most recent service, in June 2019, included a cambelt/water pump change.

The only modification to the car is the addition of air conditioning which a former owner sourced from another 205 and had professionally installed by a well-known 205 specialist.

The owner's file contains the original logbook, service invoices, original stamped service book and two keys.

Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine low-mileage, unmolested 205 1.9 GTi that has patently been cherished and drives really well. The desirability of these cars is now well established and they always attract willing buyers who generally tend to be most keen on low mileage, unmodified cars with a clearly documented service history and in cared for condition which, fortunately, is exactly what we have here.