1988 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI

Well I guess I'm just another 205 owner on here - seem to be quite a few of us!
I'm only the second owner of this one, the previous owner keeping it since new in 1988 on a private plate. He let his son use it, who let it fall into a state of disrepair, so I bought it on ebay for £350, delivered on the back of a trailer - barely rolling.
Took me about a month and £700 to get it on the road with an MOT - needed a new exhaust manifold, windscreen, rear brakes. At the same time I decided to add quickshift gear linkages as the originals were on their way out, a complete new braking system including Mintex 1144 pads, tar-ox grooved and vented discs and a Peugeot 406 master cylinder. Also a new cambelt, plugs and leads etc.



Since then, I've added:
Bilstein front suspension (lowered 25mm)
Bit of welding to tidy it up
Two new doors
New speakers
Kenwood tape player (yes, a tape. It's retro!)
New gear gaitor
Refurbished seats
Other interior odds and sods (fire extinguisher, sunroof release etc.)



To take it to the 'ring last year, I finally put matching tyres on it - Yokohama A539s all round. Also got some new badges and little stuff like that. In November, having done 165,000 miles on the original engine, it was rolling roaded at 101 bhp.



It was all fine for a while then, did a few trackdays, then at a recent action day at Castle Combe, I span it quite spectacularly, and managed to brake the water pump in the process.
Time for a new engine then!



Sourced a recently rebuilt lump, with a mild cam, polished head and manifolds by Des developments, coupled to some decent injectors, a well set up K&N and slightly larger bore exhaust. At the same time I specified a BE3 clutch, pedal and release (much lighter action) and power steering, so the missus could drive it, and also to make it practical for commuting. The power steering setup has lost none of the feel in my opinion, it just seems less inclined to return to centre (sometimes it was a bit of a wrestle anyway), and perhaps a little skittish over 100 mph.

I was due to be taking it to the show this weekend, but don't think I'll be able to make it now. Check out the Retro Car Club stand just in case I do!

I'm on the lookout for a mint condition grey steering wheel, and some mint condition phase 1 lights. I like the orange indicators, ok!
Next big job is some more front tyres and a brake overhaul before the next trackday, and a rear beam rebuild over the winter.