One to Buy: ex-Vatanen / Reutemann 1984 Peugeot 205 T16 Evolution 1
/
Although Audi had spearheaded rallying’s four-wheel drive revolution and Lancia were first out of the blocks with a purpose-built Group B car, Peugeot was the manufacturer that best combined the two practices. The result was back-to-back Driver and Manufacturer titles in the 1985 and ‘86 World Rally Championships with the 205 T16 after the little car had made its debut mid-way through 1984.
For manufacturers that had completed 200 road-going base cars, Group B regulations enabled said firm to complete an additional 20 units built to more extreme Evolution trim. Subsequent Evolution variants were permitted every twelve months so long as 20 more cars were produced each time.
Evolution 1 versions of the 205 T16 were initially reserved strictly for works use and by a handful of Peugeot’s distributor teams. As you would expect, every aspect of these cars was comprehensively uprated over the standard road-going T16.
Set to go under the hammer at Artcurial’s Retrombile auction in Paris on February 7th is an Evolution 1 campaigned by the works Peugeot Talbot Sport squad on two occasions during the team’s 1985 campaign: chassis C17.
The car made its debut with Ari Vatanen and Terry Harryman on round six of the ‘85 season: the gruelling Acropolis Rally. Unfortunately, C17 retired on the second stage after broken suspension resulted in a smashed oil reservoir. The car then appeared at Rally Argentina (round eight) where it was allocated to F1 legend Carlos Reutemann and Jean-Francois Fauchille who had a steady run to third. The only delay (a two minute stop for a sodden plug lead) was the result of Reutemann splashing over-enthusiastically through the many water crossings to thrill his adoring home fans.
C17 was restored by Peugeot in 1986 and retained until 2008, since which time it has resided in the hands of two collectors.
