The classic Peugeot 205 GTI is the latest vehicle to receive the restomod treatment. UK’s Tolman Engineering restored the classic hot hatch and gave it a powertrain upgrade. The example in this photo is the first car for customer delivery.
Tolman’s goal was to create a 205 GTI that felt like a finely tuned example from the original era. It uses a modified example of the original 1.9-liter four-cylinder. Updates included new camshafts, a ported 16-valve cylinder head, a Motec ECU, and a revised exhaust. The result is an output of 200 horsepower (149 kilowatts). The sprint to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) takes 6.5 seconds.
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The company also rebuilt the five-speed manual gearbox with upgraded shift rods and bushes. Tolman says the result is more positive shifts. As an option, buyers can get a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing differential for better traction.
Tolman tuned Bilstein dampers to match his 205 GTI. It also mounts adjustable forearms and a bespoke rear anti-roll bar. Optional brake upgrade using AP Racing calipers and stainless steel trim.
The outside of these restomods looks mostly like stock. The LED headlamps are one of the bigger upgrades. In it, there are modern facilities such as Bluetooth. A Motec LCD digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment display are available options.
When setting up the car, Tolman plated the 205 donor car into bare metal and covered it with an anti-corrosion, stone chip, and ceramic coating protection. From start to finish, each build takes around 700 hours.
Peugeot launched the 205 GTI in 1984 with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 104 horsepower (77 kilowatts). In 1986, a 1.9 liter version arrived with 128 hp (96 kW). Along with the larger engine, this model received disc brakes at the front and rear.
Upgraded Tolman 205 GTI from £55,000 plus tax ($64,952 at current exchange rates). The company says it is exploring restomods of other 80s and 90s hot hatches.
