Just To See This $540,000 Peugeot, You Literally Need To Show The Seller Your Bank Statement

Back in the ’80s, no one would expect there’d be a time someone would ask half a million dollars for a Peugeot 205, even if this was the mid-engined Turbo 16. However, the world is changing and the classic rally-bred hot hatch has skyrocketed in value. Case at hand, a pristine example that’s currently on sale for €450,000 ($537,477)!

This 205 Turbo 16 is listed by Luxury Car Consulting and, according to the seller, is fully restored. The pictures shown are just for reference, in what appears to be a similar car that was auctioned in 2017 by Artcurial for €184,760 ($220,645).

We contacted the dealership for more information on the car and after handing over our email and phone number we were asked to provide an ID and proof of funds in case of interest. So in other words, if you want to have a look at this rare French homologation special, you need to prove you have the necessary deposits in your account in order to justify the money exchange. This is a common process for valuable classics, supercars, and hypercars but it is the first time we’ve come across it for a Peugeot.

Bank statement aside, another example of the 205 Turbo 16 was recently listed for €400,000 ($477,652), proving that the prices are indeed sky high. However, this one was thought to be Jean Todt’s car – the only one painted in white with the racing livery, as all others were finished in Winchester Grey.

Also: Peugeot 205 T16 Is The Closest You Can Get To A Group B Car For The Road

On the left, the mid-engined Peugeot 205 T16 homologation special, and on the right, the front-engined Peugeot 205 GTI.

The road-going version of the Group-B rally car was produced in a limited number of 219 units for homologation purposes. When it was unveiled back in 1984, it was one of the coolest cars money could buy.

Unlike the mass-produced, front-engined and front-wheel-drive 205, the T16 was mid-engined and all-wheel-drive. The 1,775 cc 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 197 hp (147 kW / 200 PS) and 188 ft-lb (255 Nm) of torque. While this was half the power of the racing equivalent, it was still good for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration in 6 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) thanks to the low weight. The car also benefited from a custom chassis with steel tubular sub-frames, model-specific racing suspension, and uprated brakes.

Visually, the 205 T16 is a different kind of animal, sharing only a handful of body panels with the regular 205. The bodywork includes sporty bumpers, bonnet scoop, wide fenders, side air-intakes for cooling, and a completely redesigned clamshell tail opening upwards in one piece to reveal the engine. The two-seater cabin is far more civilized than the racing car but it still has bucket seats, a roll cage, and additional gauges on the dashboard.

Note: Obviously, this is not the actual vehicle for sale but stock-press photos used for reference