Seize the day
We all know that the Peugeot 205 GTI is superb to drive and an increasingly keenly priced classic car, but when did you last see one like this?
This 1990 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI Dimma Turbo Technics has been consigned to Iconic Auctioneers’ online sale on Thursday 29 May 2025, where it is estimated it will achieve £25-30,000.
We had to find out more about it.
Cross-Europe collaboration
Of course, Peugeot is a French car maker, but what about the other contributors to this project?
Turbo Technics is a British company, established in Lincolnshire in 1981.
Meanwhile, Dimma is a firm famous for its car-body styling, based in Belgium.
Loud and proud
What you see here is the real deal – and it stands out for all the right reasons.
It is a genuine Turbo Technics Dimma and, as the invoice that comes with the car from Dimma UK testifies, the conversion work was completed when this Peugeot 205 was new, in September 1990.
The main man
As if this Peugeot’s bodykit wasn’t enough, there’s more in this classic car’s history to distinguish it.
It has had three owners and one of those was Terry Pankhurst who, in 1986, became Dimma’s UK representative.
Branching out
Terry therefore founded Dimma UK and grew the tuner’s offering around the country with a 12-strong network of Peugeot main dealers.
According to Dimma UK, these retailers sold approximately 250 brand-new, Dimma-converted Peugeot 205s in period – some of which, like this example, also benefited from Turbo Technics tweaks.
Cover star
In fact, it was one of these Dimma Peugeot 205s that featured on the cover of the very first edition of the UK’s Max Power magazine, in May 1993.
However that car was a garish purple, rather than the more restrained and, we think, rather attractive Topaz Blue of the car for sale here with Iconic Auctioneers.
In the driving seat
As you can see, this Peugeot’s cabin is lifted by the red carpets and red detailing on the doorcards.
There’s a little age-related wear to the seats, but overall it looks to be in fine fettle.
Ready to go
Open the bonnet and it’s much the same story.
Iconic Auctioneers says this Peugeot 205 GTI is ‘absolutely on the button’, adding that it was serviced only four months ago.
Island life
The aforementioned Terry Pankhurst of Dimma UK owned the car here from 2009-2020.
He then sold it to its current custodian, who shipped it to Jersey, where he lives – as you might have guessed from these photos.
Dare to be different?
This is not a car for the shy and retiring type.
Any prospective keeper will have to prepare themselves for looks and stares, and probably for lots of questions, too.
Rally inspired
The original bodykit for Dimma’s 205 was penned by Baudouin Michel, at the company’s Belgian HQ, in 1985.
Flying Finns Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen claimed the World Rally Championship drivers’ crown in 1985 and 1986 respectively, both in Peugeot 205 T16s, and the T16’s shape was the basis of this roadgoing reinterpretation.
From the top
Jean Todt has been a rally co-driver, the Ferrari Formula One team’s principal and President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and is currently the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Road Safety.
But he used to be the boss of Peugeot Sport and, during that time, he gave official, factory approval for Dimma’s 205 bodykit.
Personal touch
Dimma states this works authorisation was a first.
Apparently, Jean Todt also had a Dimma Peugeot 205 as a company car, which sounds like a firm seal of approval.
All the gear
It is a comprehensive bodykit, too.
Dimma’s website states that its Peugeot 205 bodykit comprises a pair of front wings and a pair of rear wings, front and rear spoilers, a roof spoiler, two side skirts and a rear door grille.
Miles better?
Today, this 1990 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI Dimma Turbo Technics is surely one of the better-preserved examples.
Its odometer reads just 38,318 miles.
Present and correct
There’s nothing to suggest this mileage is anything but genuine.
MoTs in the car’s paperwork going back to the early 2000s support this figure, plus this Peugeot’s current keeper has driven it fewer than 2000 miles in the past five years.
Along for the ride
Of course, being a Peugeot 205, there is room for friends and family to enjoy this classic, too.
And, as with the rest of this car, the rear seats look to be in fine condition.
Used – but not abused
This Peugeot 205 GTI has a five-speed manual gearbox and, as you can see from this photo, the shifter could benefit from a little tender-loving care.
But, as Iconic Auctioneers says, this is an original car that has been enjoyed, so you’d expect some signs of use.
Check it out
The auction house goes on to detail a few age-related imperfections.
These include ‘a small crack near the windscreen spoiler mount – common with these models’.
Aged gracefully
But for a 35-year-old classic car, especially a model that has a reputation for being driven hard, this Peugeot’s level of presentation is impressive.
It should not take a huge amount to return it to as-new condition, if the winning bidder wanted to do this.
A distinctive choice
According to Iconic Auctioneers, this 205’s fetching Topaz Blue paint is a colour that was available for less than a year.
It is still a head-turning hue today.
Look sharp
We are told the body is very well preserved, while the wheels don’t only appear to be pristine, they’re also wrapped in brand-new Toyo tyres.
Sounds like it is ready to roll.
Under the hammer
Bidding on this 1990 Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI Dimma Turbo Technics opens with Iconic Auctioneers on Thursday 22 May 2025 and closes a week later on 29 May.
As we said at the beginning of this gallery, it has a pre-sale estimate of £25-30,000, but given the interest in 1980s and ’90s classic cars, it will be interesting to see what the final price will be.
For more details and to register to bid, please click here.