French vehicles aren’t all that frequent in Hungary, and as time goes on there are fewer and fewer French classics are on the street. So to seek out not one however two ’80s Peugeots, not to mention modified variations, is about as outstanding as automotive finds get right here.
I’ve been eager to shoot Sonny Sándor Szijgyàrtò‘s – AKA Sonny Works – 1986 Peugeot 505 1.8 SR for a very long time now. We had deliberate to do a photoshoot in spring, however sadly that by no means occurred. Nonetheless, Sonny and I managed to get it finished earlier than he put the automotive away for the winter. And never simply his 505 sedan both, but in addition his 505 wagon.
Sonny bought the SR sedan in March 2017. Previous to this he had owned different Peugeots fashions, however actually wished a 505 that are thought-about uncommon. The distinctiveness of those vehicles lies of their rear-wheel drive chassis and the placing resemblance they bear to outdated Nissans. The latter supplied Sonny with a transparent thought of how he wished to construct up the automotive: Japanese type. Lot of concepts had been swirling round in his thoughts, and Sonny wasted no time placing them into motion.
In the course of the first spherical of modifications, Sonny fitted Peugeot GTI-spec suspension and a customized air-ride system, plus classic-style 15×9-inch eight-spoke wheels with stretched 195/50R15 Toyo Proxes tires which required the fenders to be pumped and the lips modified. A rear wing and bullet mirrors up entrance accomplished the look, earlier than contemporary manufacturing facility silver paint was laid down over the bodywork.
A restricted slip differential and GTI brakes with EBC pads had been additionally fitted, whereas the inside was upgraded with GTI seats and a picket steering wheel. In simply 4 months, the primary model of Sonny’s dream automotive was accomplished. He used the Peugeot on this configuration for a full two years, attending numerous meet and occasions. Then the 505 wagon got here alongside, however we’ll get to that in second.
Given the 505’s rarity, discovering any spare components was a problem, however Sonny all the time saved a watch out, particularly for the actually hard-to-find elements. Sonny was overjoyed when he tracked down a pair of USA-spec entrance lights, which led to a couple minor modifications for the Peugeot sedan. On the identical time, Sonny had begun working with carbon fiber and promptly created a carbon lip, carbon wing and carbon bullet mirrors, which rapidly discovered their approach onto the automotive.
By 2022, Sonny had extra plans for the automotive, beginning with an exterior rethink. The mundane silver was changed by a customized pink hue named ‘True Blood’, which fully altered the automotive’s character. Further carbon fiber parts had been crafted to enhance the prevailing ones, particularly carbon fender flares and carbon covers for the lights.
Inside, a roll cage was put in and color-matched to the outside. Bride bucket seats changed the GTI objects and had been fitted with Sparco 4-point harnesses.
On the finish of the 2022 season, Sonny determined it was time to lastly deal with the weak hyperlink within the customized construct – the engine. What to exchange the 505 sedan’s authentic motor with? A 1.9L DOHC 16-valve engine (XU9J4) from the excessive efficiency Peugeot 405 Mi16 in fact.
Because the Mi16 was front-wheel drive and the XU9J4 was designed to be mounted transversely, some work was wanted to get it up and operating within the rear-wheel drive 505. After an exhaustive on-line search, Sonny got here to the conclusion that nobody had accomplished such a conversion earlier than – or at the least documented it in any approach – so he was on his personal. New engine mounts had been fabricated, the oil pan was modified, and a customized bell-housing made as a way to adapt the brand new engine to the 505’s gearbox.
As you possibly can see, the Mi16 engine isn’t inventory now both. The cylinder head was ported and fitted with efficiency camshafts and adjustable gears, a Jenvey 45mm particular person throttle physique setup was added, and a customized stainless-steel exhaust manifold operating right into a full customized exhaust system fabricated. Additional to this, the gasoline and cooling methods had been upgraded, a MaxxECU engine administration system was wired up and tuned, and an upgraded clutch put in.
Sonny used the chance afforded by the engine swap to clean out the bay and have it painted. Subsequently, the inside was refreshed too. The outdated, light dashboard was flocked, and a brand new Nardi steering wheel and carbon shift knob had been added. Lastly, the air trip set up was placed on show rather than the 505’s rear bench seat.
As talked about, a number of years previous to all this, in late 2019, Sonny additionally started engaged on one other Peugeot 505 – this time a uncommon 1986 2.5L turbo-diesel wagon, imported from the USA.
Over the winter months, Sonny set to work, becoming the wagon’s first spherical of modifications: air trip, 16×9-inch Azev wheels, and a customized entrance lip. He attended occasions with the wagon whereas he deliberate out the sedan construct, however now that each 505s are finished, he’s exhibiting them as a pair. For fashionable transportation, a trailer was matched to the wagon, with each receiving reimagined Peugeot-Talbot liveries.
On their very own, every one in every of Sonny’s Peugeot 505s is one thing particular. However collectively, this Sonny Works pairing is so cool.
Tamás Molnár
Instagram: toomyphoto
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