Peugeot 309 GR Plus. ADVERTISEMENT EXPIRED

Sometimes something surprises you. You don't count on it, and suddenly something takes possession of your thoughts in a pleasant way. It happened to me a few days ago. Peugeot 205-309 fan Mario Müller posted a post on Facebook, with a link to a Marktplaats advertisement, in which a Peugeot 309 GR Plus 1.4 was offered. The thoughts went a bit crazy. A little? I fell in love instantly.

The Peugeot, painted in Rouge Vallelunga, was in beautiful condition - apart from a few details. And since the first registration in the spring of 1992, she has only traveled 65.000 kilometers. An older couple (now in their nineties) saved not only the odometer, but also the car for more than thirty years. Because this was very, very well taken care of. Truly a gem. "Museum worthy," said Peugeot adept Wim Noorman on Facebook. Wim was right. More than.

The 309, the car that always played a slightly stepdaughter role within the Peugeot range at the time, belonged to my favorite facelift series. I often have a soft spot for second series. For example, the Fiat Uno was such a car for me, where the second series (with the modified front and the thicker trunk lid) appealed to me more than the original. And the 205 from Peugeot also appealed to me, especially after the later changes.

Peugeot's strong performance saved a company and is growing in prestige among youngtimer and classic car enthusiasts. I had two copies myself, of which I have fond memories. The first dated from…..March 1992. License plate DV-JJ-97. Rouge Vallelunga, a GR, with the 1.1 engine. That was a wonderful car, I still think about it often. The second 205 was a Generation, with the 1.4 TU3 engine and 75 DIN hp. “Not a foal,” you may think. I will help you out of the dream. Many cars with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine failed when I tested the 205 with the 1.4 engine. “Yes, little weight of course.” Well. There is always an argument. And you're right. Partly.

The 309 offered on Marktplaats had the same engine as the Generation. 75 DIN hp, but capable of getting the Peugeot to 11 kilometers per hour within 100 seconds. The 309 also wore the same color as both of my 205 examples. Rouge Vallelunga, I already said it. The high-beam lights under the bumper, the grille with the slightly naughty Peugeot-Talbot Sport colors and the large sliding roof that is not to be despised and the dashboard with tachometer and subtle digital clock gave the car even more appeal.

Not to mention the state. Everything, absolutely everything, looked flawless in the photos. Wherever you looked, whatever photo you saw. 24 times flawless, “What a picture of a 309,” I said to myself several times. And it made me very happy to think that in the near future I would go back in time. Back to the time when I was very happy. Because the year the car was built belonged to a very nice period in my life.

For me, the 309 was always a special car within the Peugeot range. Stepdaughter, as said, because the 309 was actually destined as a Talbot. The Arizona was supposed to be the successor to the Horizon, but Peugeot decided to delete the Talbot brand and so the Arizona did not become a Talbot, but a Peugeot with an anti-cyclical type number. The 309 was charged with the 1100-Horizon legacy and played its role with gusto. She carried many 205 features, was designed in Whitley (within the Talbot design centre) and, among other things, got a unique look thanks to a different and larger rear design (including the hatch with the large panoramic rear window).

And this Peugeot 309 made sure that I gave free rein to my thoughts and imagination. I could easily use the Peugeot as a daily driver for at least a few years. And on nice days, the open roof would gently let in the wind. The spotlights would sometimes provide extra light in the darkness in their own cool way. And the 1.4 engine would still perform its task effortlessly, urged by the rev counter within that instrument panel that also belonged to more luxurious and sporty 205 models, for example.

And no, the needle of that counter would never go towards the max, but would mainly be the compass for optimal use of the available torque. Because I would drive such a beautiful 309 as relaxed as possible. And those rides would not be laps around the church. No, in my mind I was already effortlessly driving the Peus to Italy, France or Spain. Or to another country in Europe. Because I knew: with a 309 you can go a long way effortlessly and comfortably.

I had already made the decision, but I just had to arrange it. I presented it to a number of friends and acquaintances. Sicco already congratulated me, Cor wished me a lot of fun with the anticipation and was equally curious about the sequel. Durk submitted a few more 205 copies for consideration. But a 309 is less obvious, more practically useful, and less iconic. In the meantime, a few more car friends applaud my plans. They understood me, the fellow enthusiasts.

And this 309, the Marktplaats 309, triggered in me what is always very dangerous for every car enthusiast: a buying impulse. The thought that I had to let go of the V50 was the breeding ground for hesitation. I would wait until Monday morning and then I would get everything set up. Because I was going to do it anyway. The 309, this museum-worthy 309 GR Plus, had to come to Leeuwarden. The sale was closed. In my head.

Unfortunately. A click on the Marktplaats link confirmed what I had secretly feared. A pristine 309 with tasty equipment and a good mileage is also sold quickly these days, but unfortunately the advertisement had expired. And when I clicked on the link against my better judgment, hoping that the Peugeot was still for sale, that Marktplaats had made a mistake, there was the verdict. It was really there. Reserved.

Thus ended the short-lived flirtation, which could have led to a long-term relationship between the Peugeot and me. I consoled myself with the thought that perhaps the impulse of the advertisement caused a temporary quirk in me. And as I write that, I know I'm fooling myself. And missed a great opportunity. Sometimes you feel like having a car. Especially if it hits you right in the heart. The Peugeot 309 GR Plus 1.4 stole my heart. And broke it. Because the advertisement on Marktplaats had expired.