Peugeot 205 GL 1.1 (1984) – Clock Round – From the Old Box

‘Still a strong number’, was the headline in AutoWeek 31 of 1992 at the Klokje Rond inspection of a Peugeot 205 1.1 from 1984. The then eight-year-old 205 with just 120,000 km on the counter apparently made a good impression. Indeed, there was much good about the car, but there was certainly not a flawless result. In light of its age and mileage, it could have been better.

Let’s start positive. The light blue 1.1 GL makes a good first impression during a test drive of potential buyer Bas. He can also take over the 205 from the private seller for a reasonable price at the time. He still has to bring in 5,000 guilders. He thinks the car looks neat and it is also the practical five-door. Still, he errs on the safe side and gives the car to AutoWeek to first subject it to a thorough inspection.

Our editor takes it on the road and has to get used to the 205. We are talking about a 205 from the first series, which still has a carbureted 1.1 XW engine in the nose. A 50 hp strong copy that still needs a lot of help with manual choke at the start of a cold ride. The performance of the engine is disappointing and the coupling and shifting are difficult. The charm of the 205, however, becomes clear when steering: he wants to lean over, but everything still feels accurate in the bends. When judge Mike Taling then also goes on the road, he comes to the conclusion that almost everything works as it should, although the shifting could indeed be better. According to him, greasing the shifting mechanism can offer a solution.

So far nothing worrisome, but that changes when the car goes onto the bridge. Peugeot had considerably better rust prevention with the 205 than with older models, but this 205 turned out to be quite susceptible to corrosion. More than you could expect from later 205s. Please note; we’re talking about an eight-year-old car with just over a ton of experience. Nevertheless, a hole pops up in a rear door. The tailgate also starts to ‘blow’, just next to the place where the rear wiper is located on more luxurious versions. A buffoon has already tried to spray over the valve on that piece. More corrosion shows up on the roof above that same door. Engine and exhaust are also not free from problems. There is a crack in the exhaust manifold and the block is losing some oil. The exhaust must be replaced in its entirety, which is rotten.

Nevertheless, the 205 gets approval and Bas is recommended to buy the 205 because of the ‘excellent price’. However, with the recommendation to do some rust prevention, to replace the exhaust and to have a major service performed. Unlike many other 205s, this one seems to have thrown in the towel relatively early. As far as we can find, there is no trace of license plate data on the internet. That indicates that the 205 has been with us for a long time. We will probably never know what killed him, although in 1992 this 205 seemed to have reached the fall of his life in any case.