Hmmm…Peugeot, what to think of Peugeot. I never think anything about this French stalwart automaker, primarily because they haven’t darkened U.S. shores for the last 30 years or so. And with Peugeot’s multinational owner, Stellantis, so on the ropes these days, who knows, we may never see another. But, Peugeot (or Punch-not as an old car friend of mine used to call them) has a noteworthy automotive history and today we will review what could be considered a hot hatch, specifically a 1990 Roland Garros Edition Peugeot 205. Located in Rockwood, Tennessee, this low mileage, rather truncated appearing compact is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,500. Thanks are due to Sam61 for this tip!
The Peugeot’s Model 205 was in production for a good number of years, seventeen to be exact (’83-’98 with a brief ’99 model year version). Body styles included three and five-door hatchbacks, a convertible, and a van. Our subject car, being a Roland Garros edition, means that it’s finished in forest green and commemorates Peugeot’s sponsorship of the French Open tennis championship, also known as Roland Garros due to the venue. A package available on both the two and four-door body styles, other R-G features included white leather and cloth upholstery as well as identifying badging. One source that I researched stated that these were Spanish market cars but there was no elaboration beyond that. Anyway, the exterior looks fine (I love green!) and the finish still has a nice depth which tells me proper storage has been the order of the day. Styling, of course, is always subjective and the front half of the car works – as for the rear half, well, it looks French. If you think those wheels seem small, you’re right, they’re thirteen incheres. The seller states that he has a new set of tires – he doesn’t say if they’re included in the sale.
These R-G models were powered by a 70 HP, 1.4 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine, powering the front wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle. That being the case, forget that earlier “hot” hatch comment – this one’s more of a lukewarm edition. The seller tells us nothing of this car’s operational capabilities but does mention that the head gasket was just replaced – at just 51K miles. Hmmm…
The interior is certainly cheery, I’ll give it that, and a nice departure from today’s funeral parlor tones. As to whether it’s too cheery or not, I’ll let you decide. The environment is in nice overall nick though that white leather upholstery is marred by dark cracking.
Yes, this is an unusual car and I wonder how it ended up in Tennessee if it were a Spanish market model. It’s over the twenty-five-year threshold for non-FMVSS compliance so maybe importation has made this Peugeot a more recent U.S. immigrant. Then again, maybe these were sold directly in the States as I believe Peugeots were still available here in ’90. So, tell me, has anyone had experience with a Peugeot 205, and if so, how was it?
Neat little car here Jimmy, agree on the lovely interior, power windows and all.
Is that a large glass roof ?
Rolland Garros was a French legend and WW1 fighter pilot. ✈️ 🎾
I heard a story recently claiming that years ago, Porsche was going to release a new model called the 901. Apparently, Peugeot had a claim to the use of a zero as the middle number of model numbers, so Porsche changed the new model number to 911. Truth or myth?
True. But some very early examples are genuinely 901 Porsches.
Truth!
https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/classic/models/911-f/911-f-901/
Back in the late 1980s, I drove a 205 GTi while visiting Paris. It was a snappy little ride and, to me, quite attractive. It was a good bit quicker than this one, having the 1.9-liter engine and ~30 bhp more.
These were not sold in the U.S. If they had been, I would seriously have considered buying one.
Many people consider the 205 GTi to be the best of the early hot hatches. Opinion is divided over which model, but most would go with the 1.9.
Ref the French styling. This car was drawn by leading Italian design house, Pininfarina. It has been universally admired for its clean look and practicality ever since.
Ref the 13″ wheels. Normal at the time on a car of this class putting out 70 bhp. The 105hp GTi and 130bhp 1.9 GTi had bigger wheel/tyre combinations, but nothing more than 15- 16″
During that Paris trip, I also had use of a Renault “Superfive,” Fiat Uno Turbo and MG Metro Turbo.
The Pug was by far the nicest, light on its feet, well-built and pretty. I liked the Fiat and Renault as well, though both felt a bit clunky by comparison. The Metro disgraced itself with electrical troubles and had to be towed away.
Nice car, a hoot to drive and well priced.
It looks like an AMC Gremlin. I was in France this summer and Peugeot is alive and strong. Also went to the Peugeot museum and the company has a long and amazing history making everything from automobiles to bikes to kitchen appliances to power tools. I miss the quirky French cars that used to decorate our roads.
The R-G 205’s were not a Spanish-only market special edition as we certainly got them here in the UK – I had one. They all came in the one colour and had the same interior, regardless of the market(s). The bigger 306 also had a R-G derivative.
As for the 205, they drove/drive very much like a Mini (the later BMW versions don’t count!), ie: on rails, even the poverty-spec versions whose values are starting to rise as there are now so few left here.
As for Stellantis, they are alive and kicking well, chucking out many, many cars that you don’t get in the US, as well as some that you do.
I was service manager at a Pu-go dealer back in the early 80s. We also sold Pontiac and Isuzu.
Every time I saw a Pu-go pull in the drive I got tears knowing the “stuff” was going to hit the fan.
No problems with Pontiac and Isuzu but those French cars could not be fixed.
If this one was parked in my drive I’d call the police.
Junk by any other name.
Always liked the brand . Owned several of the conventional front engine rear drive cars amazing comfortable and great handling
Had a 205 as a rent car for a month in France. As someone mentioned, it handled like a Mini. It only had the 1.4L but if you stirred that stick and kept the RPMs up, it was a blast.
I don’t believe the 205 was sold in the U.S. The 405 and 505 were the last models to (dis)grace our shores.
Maybe my favorite Pig out