Peugeot 205 T16 Group B rally car offered at online auction

We’ll never again see the likes of the rip-snortin’ Group B rally cars of the mid-1980s, and the prices of some of the cars of that era have gone through the roof as a result.

The Peugeot 205 T16 has seen a steady rise in value but it’s still behind the curve compared with the Lancia 037 and Audi Quattro. Its performance and sheer driveability are easily on a par with the best of the Group B cars, though; it’s a true icon of the period and likely to continue to climb in value.

The Group B Peugeot 205 T16 dominated WRC

For nearly two years the Jean Todt-led Peugeot Talbot Sport team dominated the World Rally Championship with the 205 T16. Drivers Ari Vatanen, Bruno Saby, Timo Salonen, and Juha Kankkunen contributed to a total of 13 outright wins between 1985 and 1986.

This 205 T16, the star of the Silverstone Auctions first online sale on Saturday May 23, was built by Peugeot Sport UK under the guidance of the legendary Des O’Dell. It was commissioned by wealthy American Real Estate Developer and rally driver Jon Woodner, who campaigned it with great success in the US between late 1984 and 1988. 

Peugeot 205 T16 – Regular competitor at many rallyes

Sadly, the run of success ended when Jon was killed in an aeroplane crash in April 1988. The T16 was put into storage by his widow in 1989 and she rejected repeated attempts to buy the car until 2000, when New Zealand businessman Peter Johnson bought the car with a substantial quantity of spares. On its arrival in New Zealand, Ron McMillan of Road, Race and Rally in Auckland fully rebuilt the 205, making minor updates to keep it eligible and appropriate for rallying at the time.

It was then campaigned in the famous five-day Targa NZ as well as a number of UK- and Ireland-based rallies such as the Killarney International. Around this time Lancashire-based, ex-works Peugeot driver, Kevin Furber, bought the 205, then selling a 50% share to Andy Medlicott – and ever since it’s said to have been fastidiously maintained, and driven and displayed around the UK and Europe, including at Goodwood, Rallycar Day, Rally GB, Race Retro and more.works drivers of the Group B era who have subsequently put their signature on the car.

It’s being offered for sale complete with signatures from Ari Vatanen, Juha Kankkunen, Miki Biasion, Harri Toivonen and Paddy Hopkirk, plus a history file, photographs and videos of the car and an extensive spares package that even includes the light pod from 1988 and fibreglass body moulds for the bonnet, front bumper and front wing. 

The May Live sale takes place on Saturday May 23. Details of the 205 T16 can be found here.

Photos Silverstone Auctions

Author: David Lillywhite

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