Peugeot 205 CTi Cabriolet

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“The definitive Eighties hatchback and the most perfect, practical design for a small car ever. Diesels economical, GTi is huge fun, no rust traps, last well” – Honest John.

Launched in 1983, the Peugeot 205 was a brilliant rival to the Renault 5 and the Ford Fiesta with its ‘wheel at each corner’ design and flyweight 750kg kerb weight. No wonder it won What Car’s ‘Car of the Year’ in 1983 and was declared ‘Car of the Decade’ by CAR Magazine in 1990. The 205 1.6 GTi was particularly singled out for praise, being blessed with brilliant handling and a revvy and eager 105bhp engine that made the 1.9 GTi seem lazy by comparison and could crack 60mph in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 116mph.

From 1986 a Pininfarina-designed cabriolet version of the 1.6 GTi was also available, the CTi, now with an improved 115bhp engine and slightly softened suspension for a better ride. A very popular model across Europe, it was to remain in production until 1992 although a 1.9 version was available until 1994.

First registered in January 1991, this CTi 1.6 has been in the current ownership since 2002 and has only covered some 78,900 miles to date. From 2003 until 2015 the car was kept in storage, hence the good state of preservation.

Recently recommissioned for sale and fitted with three new tyres and a battery, it is said to drive well and the electric soft top functions as it should. In 2002 the car was subject to a Category D insurance claim (damaged; repairable) but the vendor states that the damage was restricted to the boot lid and rear bumper which have long since been repaired.

With an MOT until February 2017, this Eighties icon is guaranteed to gives the lucky new owner a lot of fun in the coming summer months.