Ecosse Feature

Matt's T16 2 door 306 sedan

Thinking about doing something different is really challenging. To have an idea is always exciting but a lot harder to put into reality. Solving problems that no person can give you information on does frequently drain the mental cells, but you know you are pushing the boundaries of what generally people see as not possible. It's too easy for people to trash your idea because they lack the imagination.

Matt Collins choose the sedan and hatched the idea by some serious stretching of the imagination. He saw the car as a possible mean modified monster that would appeal to true Pug lover as something that Peugeot may be should have built to keep up with the ‘Imprezas’ and ‘Cosworths’ of this world!

When Matt told me of this search for a bog standard sedan I really thought he had lost the plot, I mean there’s a fine line between having a vision and bordering on the unhinged! The explanation to me about how it would become a two door gave me little hope that it might be smart. Only when the unsuspecting body shop declared we were a few sandwiches short of a picnic did we really start to believe the Sedan would be as spectacular as it is today. The more it came together the more we could all see the potential beauty in the beast. By now the body shop were starting to get a bit excited as they share belief that this car was truly something unique.

Once returned to Ecosse’s work shop it’s transformation to a factory looking body shell created mass interest. It’s Audi A4 paradise green certainly made anyone stare but only when we took it to MIRA to the Peugeot Sport Club Show in 1998 did we realise that this Pug had one major fault. It was regarded as factory, all be it with body kit. We all felt like we wanted to shake people who would stroll by saying, "nice colour" or "the inside is smart", but not recognise that a 2 door sedan did not exist!

Certainly the more switched on Pug lover’s did appreciate our efforts but one week later we visited the homelands of Peugeot in France for the super GTI show at Monthlery. The same thing happened but on a grander scale with a language barrier. The French whispered, "quatre porte? deux porte? Tri sont ceng?" "4 door? 2 door? 306?"

We were honoured to receive the award for one of the top 20 cars of Europe award which made Matt’s day.

After all it was his car and his idea being appreciated. So much so it went on the front cover of the biggest modified car magazine of Europe. Not stopping at French magazines, it was in Spanish ones too, this sedan was getting around. But why did it take from July 98 to July 99 to be featured in Max Power? Matt was not satisfied with the standard T16 engine which produces a totally respectable 240BHP. Oh no I mean its standard T16 isn’t it! A serious amount of development work with the engine. Relieved of a few thousands later here we are at 350BHP.

There's been as few cosmetic changes but nothing like what this Pug has endured under surgeon’s knife. To reach the front cover of Max Power on July issue, (importance due to Max Power Live show) was a great compliment to our business and the amount of blood, sweat and tears that these cars receive from everyone at Ecosse.

Creating a car is always an unfinished project. We are so proud when the whole world can be inspired by the cars we create, through reading the car magazines. Photo shoots are always special to us as it personally gives me a tremendous sense of the car being documented forever in a magazine. Thousands of people will cast their eye on your beloved motor that will have its month of fame but is remembered a whole lot longer.