Loosen your ties and let me take you back to the July of 2010, when I tipped on down to the Miami of Ireland otherwise known as Waterford. I bought a car that defines its own genre of style and character. A car for the Gentleman not afraid to make a bold Statement. My first Peugeot 205.
Yes man has built the atomic bomb and has been to the moon, all very interesting stuff but what really seperates us from the animal kingdom is indeed this beautiful example of french automotive engineering. Yes the 1.1 litre Peugeot 205 sunroof model in steel grey.
You may wonder what made it so special, well the first thing I noticed as I steped inside is the air of mystery that only comes from a car with unknown numerous owners and over 95,000 of possibly what could be genuine miles before the mileage counter mysteriously stopped working, possibly from breaking the speed of light barrier. The seats were testament to over 20 years of frontline action I spotted a large tear in the upholstery big enough to hide a pistol, this was possibly a previous bond car used in the hit movies. The salesman's only advice "pull out the choke like a lawnmower when she's cold" the more wealthy of us that can afford such luxury cars with manual chokes will understand.
I inspected her daily- not for its obvious and numerous scratches but you inspect it for the aging grace of its body and the distinctive smell of its upholstery.
The extras well they kept me coming back for more, its a luxury driving heaven.
A Manual Sunroof- a wonderful way of giving your car the feel of a convertible it even leaked drops of rain onto your shoulder to make you feel at one with the enviornment.
Indicators- an ingenious signalling system that allows those drivers behind you to know of your intention to turn either left or right.
Rear view mirrors- Cleverly angled mirrors to catch a glimpse of the papparazi following your 205.
Windows- you are the boss as you choose which direction you wish to recieve fresh country air from as you rally from one black-tie event to another.
A Radio- Dosent actually work but the raw passion of the exhaust is entertainment enough for all the family
Weight Watcher Utility- Yes indeed you can't carry more then 2 over weight passengers, why is that? well they will make you look less gangster and of course the rear arches will rub on your tyres to remind you of this. Good thinking Peugeot!
Petrol Light- Alerts you when your dangerously low on petrol. Isn't completely accurate but its the tought by Peugeots engineers that counts.
The exhaust- Comes with many random rust holes blown to make you sound like a rally driver, this will impress any lady friend as you turn heads angry with jealousy.
This is all I'm writing today on the vast topic of the world's most elegant auto-mobile, a complete non-bias review can be expected soon along with a review of her 1.9 GTI beast cousin I purchased months later.
An early picture from when it all began.
I can relate to that love/hate/but mostly hate part because I too am one of the rare illuminati who chose the 205. In my case it was the 205 GTi 1.9.
ReplyDeleteThere is a saying in France, generated by french engineering; très agréable à conduire, l'enfer de posséder. Translated it means "Great to drive, hell to own". Pretty much sums it up.
I owned a 1.9 aswell, and plan on owning another. Most exciting experience I have ever had with my trousers on... That said I have lost count of the amount of times I pushed my 205 to the side of the road.
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