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Unique Peugeot 205 T16 PTS Clubman sells for £115k at Amelia Island auction

Formerly owned by Lotus and GM, this Peugeot 205 T16 test mule benefited from period cutting-edge tech.

On 10 March, the 2018 Amelia Island auction saw over a hundred cars cross the auction block in search of new owners. Arguably, the rarest of them, a Peugeot 205 T16 PTS Clubman with an intriguing history, sold for $157k (£115k). Purchased as a test bed for a suspension development project, co-conducted by Lotus and General Motors, it was one of few T16s specified with the PTS (Peugeot Talbot Sport) Clubman package from the factory.

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Having had Peugeot, Lotus and GM impart some engineering expertise upon this homologation special – it goes without saying it’s exceptionally rare. Despite its interesting backstory, the hammer dropped short of its substantial estimate of $180-250k (c£92-180k). It was presented with just 16,000 miles on the clock, having spent the previous 34 years parked up in GM’s Heritage Collection. 

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In the 1980s, GM sought out Lotus to assist in the development of an active suspension system for the Chevrolet Corvette. GM provided Lotus with a test mule to develop the system in the shape of a 205 T16, however it was equipped with the PTS Clubman package – taking the total price of the car to about €180k – which brought upgrades borrowed from the Group B T16 rally car. It’s said that less than 30 cars benefited from the substantial performance upgrade.

It comprised new engine internals such as a dry-sump system and reinforced pistons, as well as higher turbo-boost pressure, that lifted the 1.8-litre’s power output from 197bhp to near 300bhp. The addition of a centre-mounted LSD and shorter gearing constituted the transmission modifications, while the bodyshell was seam-welded and fitted with a roll-cage for extra rigidity. 

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Of course, the Group B icon wasn't the only lot to catch evo’s eye, and the bidders’ for that matter. The requisite contingent of Ferraris included a 458 Speciale and 330 GTC that sold for £370k and £275k respectively. More Italian exotica from Lamborghini included a Diablo VT 6.0 SE that fetched about £297k and an LM002 which collected £215k.

Elsewhere, the Amelia Island auction demonstrated that demand for classic Porsches remains strong. A collection dedicated to the Porsche (964) 911 saw a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8  – one of 12 964s up for sale – sell for almost £1.2million.

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