It was an exceptional car back then,
the era of GTI models-- the '80s.
My name is Jean-François.
I drive a Peugeot 205 GTI, 1.9 L 130 HP 1991.
My passion started in 1978 when my dad took me to car shows.
I used to collect 1/43 miniature models.
Like Obélix, I fell into it at a young age,
electric tracks to scale 1 in our garage.
I took up photography, covering car races
where the 205 GTI would compete in '84-'85.
My dad worked for Peugeot, and he took me to an exhibit in 1984.
It was the bomb back in the '80s.
Getting my license in 1985 was like a dream come true.
But the car was expensive; so was insurance.
Twenty-five years later at a store, I looked at a magazine--
the 205 GTI was celebrating its 25th anniversary.
I flipped the pages, gazing at the car.
I fell in love again and needed one fast.
Three months later, I found her--
205 GTI 1.6 L, 115 HP, 110 K on the engine.
Fifteen days later, I took the train with my daughter Sara to make the deal.
All the way up to Strasbourg.
Then I wanted a second one.
I found a 1.9 L, 130 HP, Miami blue.
However, it was almost a wreck.
That car drove me crazy.
Its Miami blue carcass, all beat up...
Would it ever run again?
The rear suspension weighed a ton.
Ouch!
However, two years later, it was in perfect running order.
After a long hiatus, how delightful it was to sit down, start the engine and give 'er.
Blasting the cassette player, riding hard,
full '80s style.