The Peugeot 106 first arrived on our roads way back in 1991, remaining in production for over a decade until it was replaced by the 107 in 2005.
In many ways the 106 represents the end of a styling era for Peugeot, part of a family of French greats which includes the well loved 306 and 406 – design icons in their own right.
Peugeot wanted to take the 106 Rallying, and why not? After all, it was a superb little chassis and was sure to be competitive. The sub 1400cc class was theirs for the taking. Peugeot just needed to homologate a fixed number of road going cars to take the 106 racing. The target was international Group N and A rallying class. This meant a minimum number of road cars had to be produced. In line with homologation rules, 1,000 examples of the S1 Rallye were produced (many of which are logged and catalogued by http://www.106rallye.co.uk/).
You’re such a lightweight!
The Peugeot 106 Rallye was the ‘fewer frills, more thrills’ version of the already lightweight hatchback.
Weighing in at just 825kg, the 100bhp S1 Rallye offered buyers the sort of thrills that a Porsche 911 can only dream of. Based on the existing 1.4 XSi platform, the Rallye offered more revs, better damping, a stronger chassis, improved looks and…. less kit.
Available in just three exterior colours, the 106 Rallye offered a pure and simple driving experience at a time when the automotive world was going technology mad. Like a basic Nokia in a world of smart phones, it was a car that did exactly what it set out to do with no hassle, no fuss, just a whole heap of smiles.
With it’s improved suspension, better braking and removed weight, the 106 Rallye was an absolute hoot to drive. In the age of gigantic alloy wheels, the 14 inch steel wheels and basic interior went against the grain of what the automotive market was doing, making it an instant hit.
Combining superb acceleration with genuine steering wheel thrills at all speeds, the 106 Rallye was the perfect candidate for the aspiring boy racer… making good quality cars a hard thing to find!
Raced, rallied, abused and mis-used, the 106 Rallye was a prime candidate for being your local hooligan… and appearing in your a field on it’s roof.
Finding a good example more than 20 years on is a difficult thing to do.
Here at Wizard Classics we have a reputation for finding high grade 106 Rallyes…