Silverstone Auctions Announce Their First Live Online Sale
Silverstone Auctions have adapted to the current working environment and Government guidance by launching new a live sale online auction. With all events having to be cancelled the new format means that the May auction can take place.
The catalogue is available now and the Silverstone Auctions team are accepting listings for the auction. The first lot being the 1986 Peugeot 205 T16 Group B rally car. This is an extremely rare opportunity to buy a Group B 205. The sister car to the actual factory owned T16, this car has proven pedigree and well-known history.
Harry Whale, Silverstone Auctions Sales Manager commented. “It has been very challenging for everyone in the events business and we have worked hard to adapt.”
“Our May Live Auction is in response to the situation and being able to hold an auction for both our vendors and buyers keeping them safe at all times.”
“We have some fabulous lots already consigned and the Peugeot 205 T16 is a stunning offering and we look forward to giving it a new home.”
Also, for this event only, both buyers and sellers premiums have been reduced to 10% plus vat and 4% plus vat respectively. Depending on Government guidance, it may become possible to offer one to one viewing of certain lots. A decision will be made closer to the auction.
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Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 1
The Peugeot 205 T16 ‘Evolution 1’ was Peugeot’s ‘works’ entry into Group B rallying. Debuting with Ari Vatanen it was almost completely dominant over it’s two year campaign. The WRC team was led by Jean Todt of the Peugeot Talbot Sport team. As well as Vatanen, Bruno Saby, Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen. This brought a total of 13 outright wins between 1985 and 1986.
The 205 features a clever, mid-engine 4 x 4 packaging with a transversely-mounted engine and suspension. The car’s great derivability made it almost unbeatable. The 1.8 litre turbocharged engine featured a 16-valve head, mechanical fuel injection pressurised up to 1.5 BAR. Hence the four cylinder engine could develop as much as 400bhp at 8,000 rpm. Weighing only 980kg the car was extremely rapid and linear in nature. Some drivers complaining of ‘tunnel vision’.
The car available was comissioned by US real estate developer and rally driver Jon Woodner. Car # S007 was built by Peugeot Sport UK under the guidance of Des O’Dell, before being exported to the United States. Jon competed with the car in the SCCA Rally Championship. 1986 was the best competitive year for the car with getting five podiums. The Olympus Rally in December was an official round of the World Rally Championship, Jon and S7 were leading privateers. Peugeot treated them to works support and a lot of factory upgrades.
1988 was the final year Jon was to use the car. The last event being the Chattahoochee Forest Pro Rally with a win in the Open Class. Sadly, Jon was killed in an aeroplane crash a couple of weeks later on the 24th of April 1988.
Storage & New Zealand Rallying
The 205 T16 was put into storage by his widow in 1989 until New Zealand businessman Peter Johnson bought it in 2000. When in New Zealand the car was fully stripped and assessed by Ron McMillan of Road, Race and Rally in Auckland. A ‘no-expense-spared’ rebuild was undertaken with one or two minor modifications to make it more approachable and acceptable for rallying in the early 2000s. Small changes made to the bodywork, engine management, and turbo were made. The car was fitted with Pectel fuel injection, new wiring, seats, safety equipment the suspension was upgraded along with the wheels and brakes.
Later an agreement with Kevin Furber, Lancashire-based ex-works Peugeot driver, was to buy and keep the car in the UK. In 2005, Andy Medlicott purchased a 50% share in the car to become its joint owner. Since then the car has been maintained to the highest standards and has attracted the interest of many raly drivers such as Ari Vatanen, Colin McRae, Didier Auriol, Malcolm Wilson and Chris Ingram. Many films and photographs of the car have been made with each of the drivers.
Included In The Sale
Accompanying the car is a history file including the District of Columbia Certificate of Title for Jon Woodner and his SCCA Rally Log Book. Detailing events 1984–87, the New Zealand Certificate of Registration.
There is also a large spares package including:
A six-speed flat shift -2003- PMG, non-original, straight cut gearbox including case.
Several T16 Engine parts including cylinder head.
A Light pod with fully working 4 Hella lights from 1988.
Complete fibreglass body moulds for the bonnet, front bumper and front wing.The original T16 Road wheels x 5.And additional new 17″ wheels x 2. Brake discs x 4 and pads – new.
Suspension components including original bottom arms, steering arms and Bilstein shocks x 2.
Evo 1 exhaust system box, fuel pumps plus a random range of suspension and service parts.
If you want to bid on the car you can register with Silverstone Auctions at: https://silverstoneauctions.com/
Thanks to Silverstone Auctions for the high quality photographs.