Pick to Click: 1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
1900cc of Hot Hatch, with a French Twist
What you're looking at is the featherweight champ of hot hatches from the late ‘80s: the 1.9-liter Peugeot 205 GTI. While the 1.6 was playful and revvy, the 1.9 brought torque and attitude to match its featherweight frame. And this one’s aged like a good Burgundy.
Built for markets that understood twisty backroads and torque steer as a lifestyle, the 1.9 GTI dropped in at 130 horsepower (give or take based on market and emissions) with disc brakes all around, firmer suspension, and beefier rubber to keep it honest. It was never sold in the U.S., which makes every legally importable one like this a minor miracle for stateside enthusiasts.
This 1988 example wears a striking red finish over black-and-red interior trim, plus the factory pepperpot wheels that scream French flair with a steel-toe boot. Odometer reads just 161,800 km (about 100k miles), and it's located in Portugal. The “bodywork was completely restored a few years ago with a quality paint job, and the upholstery has been redone to superb condition. The headlining, carpets are in very good condition, and the dashboard is not cracked.”
Key features include:
Left Hand Drive
Manual, 5-speed gearbox (a short 5-speed from a 1.6 version)
Original steering wheel and sunroof
Comes with original booklets, logbook, a file of invoices, and various technical checks.
Why it Clicks:
1.9 GTI = peak 205 – More power, tighter suspension, and real-deal four-wheel discs.
Never sold in the U.S. – But fully legal now. No Show & Display headaches, no loopholes.
Analog and rowdy – The perfect antidote to modern bloat.
A Bit of Lore: The 205 has been deemed “the sacred number” (Quel sacré numéro!), and for good reason. It redefined what a small performance car could be: fast, feral, and way more fun than it had any right to be. If the Golf GTI was buttoned-up and Bavarian, the 205 GTI was a Gauloises-smoking cousin who knew every back alley shortcut and didn’t care if it got a little sideways.
This one? It's ready to stretch its legs. Whether you're carving up Mulholland or just parking it at Sunset Plaza to confuse the Instagram crowd, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter.