The classic fever finally caught to my dad too. After acquiring the Fiat 127 MK2 he started to consider buying a classic car of his liking. Since he had a 205 GTi when he was younger he started to look around for one in good shape. I found one for sale for a good price but with the need for a mild restauration and decided to offer him the car as present.
The car need some care, especially in the interiors, mainly the plastics and seats. Mechanical the car was very good with already some extras:
- PTC camshaft (Peugeot-Talbot Competition)
- Removed rev cutting features, so the car would rev freely
- Improved suspension (Koni Springs) and ventilated/Slotted front discs.
The person to whom I bought the car to had previously professionally raced in a 205 GTI and therefore the camshaft. Probably this car, although never raced, was already pushed to the limit often by the previous owner, but the chassis was straight and the engine had good compression. Nothing to complain.
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As this car already have injection and electronic features I decided to send it to a proper professional for him to see if everything was good. In the end, he said the car as very solid, only the clutch was already getting too hard due to the lack of use but still had a lot of miles in it before needing to replace it.
As a car addicted I started to look around for improvements in to be done to this French Icon of the 80's.
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After careful investigation I understood that this car is definitely more complicated than the Fiat 127, and therefore all the changes would need to be analysed and done by a professional with the necessary equipment to manipulate the electronics.
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As the seats were already quite used, although still in good condition, I decide to change them for some OMP Racing Seats with the respective harnesses to use when in rally. The basic navigation system was installed (terratrip and a chrono) and it was ready for regularity rallying.
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In the first rally it was clear that this car was a serious performer. An amazing driving feeling and incredible engine, which increased the desire to start changing and improving a car that is already very good.
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I decided that after changing the intake for a more direct one and the Camshaft for more fuel intake, it was time to improve the exhaust. Therefore I acquired a 4-2-1 Inox manifold and a GR.A exhaust pipe with muffler. Even before testing the car properly the sound the car made showed that the car was a serious performer.
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The following rallies came, and the car once again showed its amazing performance. The new exhaust system gave a new spirit to the engine, it was breathing better, special at high RPM where the car does not lose any steam was it approaches the red line. Amazing performance. Unfortunately in one of the rallies, the driver ( in this case me) was not as good as the car and after a late brake the car rear decided to flip over completely, I tried to control de car but it was impossible and the wall did not move so the inevitable happened. Nothing serious really happen, my pride was definitely the only thing seriously injured... The car was able to still finish the event with no problems as the damage minor and was limited to the front panel.
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An Youtube video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGz0GCpE6w8&t=830s
The oddly shaped (after the crash) Peugeot 205 GTi appears in the following minutes 13:50 & 33:05 for the interested.
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May-2016
During this month I tried to improve the interior as the plastics were already in a bad shape and in desperate need for attention.
Will take picture of the interior soon!