2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Peugeot 205. So, to pay tribute to the model that has shaped generations of Peugeot cars, Club 205 organised a celebration in collaboration with the Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot, in Sochaux, France. Over 3,500 enthusiasts came from all over Europe on July 8 and 9 – let's look back at the festivities.
A birthday to remember
More than 800 205s in one place – that's a lot of noise! Visitors at the event were able to admire no fewer than 839 Peugeot 205s exhibited by professional and amateur collectors from all over Europe, Reunion Island and even Japan.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its favourite city car, Club 205 pulled out all the stops. This group of diehard fans planned a wide range of events: a concours d'élégance, a guided tour of the Peugeot Museum in Sochaux and the Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, baptisms in 205 T16s, dinner, dancing... not forgetting a road trip of some sixty miles between Sochaux and Mulhouse. It was an impressive procession, to say the least.
To top it all off, a surprise awaited visitors: they were given a sneak peek of the new Peugeot 208. It was an opportunity for enthusiasts to take photos of the new model from every angle, discover its new i-Cockpit and see that the 200 series is still going strong.
Collectors tell us about the Peugeot 205
This event was an opportunity for the many Peugeot owners to talk about their respective models – and their sometimes emotionally charged histories! Like Valerio, proudly wearing a "205, la légende sort ses griffes" T-shirt, whose 205 Junior was handed down to him by his grandfather, a former employee at the Sochaux plant in France. It's a wonderful opportunity for him to feel close to his ancestors every morning when he hops in his car on the way to work. There are hundreds more stories like this, so...see you in ten years?
"Why not?" replies Charles Colpin of Club 205, organiser of the event. He is delighted to see the success of this legendary anniversary, which took him and his teams a year to prepare.
Did you know?
Club 205 was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous city car. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it now has 140 members (in France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland).
Club 205 was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the famous city car. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it now has 140 members (in France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland).
The first Peugeot motor vehicle took its first drive in 1889, a few miles from Sochaux.
The first Peugeot motor vehicle took its first drive in 1889, a few miles from Sochaux.
A special Peugeot 205 exhibition is on display at the Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot until September.
A special Peugeot 205 exhibition is on display at the Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot until September.
