On this day in 1983, the award-winning Peugeot 205 - the vehicle which was to transform the fortunes of the company - was launched to widespread acclaim.

Praised for its exterior styling, the 205 was an instant hit in Europe and quickly became the benchmark for the supermini sector, even winning CAR Magazine’s prestigious “Car of the decade” award for the 1980’s.

By the time its 13-year production run ended in 1996, it had comfortably become the best-selling Peugeot model in the UK but sales had dwindled owing to intense competition in the sector from fresh competitors like the Renault Clio, as well as new generation Ford Fiestas and Volkswagen Polos.

Peugeot belatedly launched the enduring 206 as direct replacement and that model has gone on to enjoy even greater sales success, becoming Peugeot’s best-selling car of all time.

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