Highlights
- An honest example of the rarely seen 1990’s Subaru range topping GT
- One of only around 30 examples thought to be registered in the UK today
- A highly specified car with a 3.3L flat six engine, four speed automatic and all-wheel drive
The Appeal
The Subaru Alcyone SVX (pronounced "al-sigh-uh-nee") was the name given to the 90’s range topping GT that was introduced for the 1992 model year. The car was originally designed as a concept car by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. Unusually the concept was quite faithfully interpreted when the car started production, with even its unusual "aircraft-inspired glass-to-glass canopy" making the cut.
This example offers its next owner a high degree of originality and exclusivity in spades. The car comes with a long MOT and is complete with plenty of paperwork documenting recent valuable maintenance and repairs. For the JDM enthusiast looking for something rare and exotic, this Subaru ticks all the boxes.
The History and Paperwork
- This SVX was produced in 1992 in Subaru’s Ota North plant
- The Alcyone was destined for the Japanese Domestic Market
- The car remained in Japan until 2002 when it was imported to the UK
- The Subaru was first registered in the UK in December 2002
- The first UK owner retained the car for a full ten years
- The second UK owner acquired the car in October 2012
- At that point the car had covered around 64,000 miles
- The current owner acquired the car in March 2023 to become the fifth
- The Alcyone SVX is complete with a good level of paperwork
- This includes the current V5 in the name of the owner
- The current MOT is valid until April 2024
- A lever arch file full of invoices and documents is present
- Highlights include a full gearbox rebuild in 2018
- A 2017 invoice details a £2,000 plus expenditure on maintenance
- This included timing belts replacement
- The original owner’s handbook and workshop manual are on hand
The Interior
- The key to this car’s interior seems to be its level of originality
- The front seats are finished in a combination of stitched leather and Alcantara
- These seats are heavily bolstered and incorporate generous headrests
- The condition appears good overall
- Some pilling is noted to the Alcantara of the driver’s seat
- In the rear there is a deeply sculpted bench identically trimmed
- The sculpting marks out two individual seats and is in a great condition
- The lower section of the dashboard is Alcantara trimmed
- The upper section is vinyl timed with a hooded binnacle ahead of the driver
- A full set of white on black gauges and warning lights are situated here
- These are placed ahead of the four spoke, multifunction steering wheel
- The front footwells feature a pair of original 90’s Alcyone SVX carpet mats
- The well-shaped boot is finished in its original hard wearing grey carpet
- A filler is located here for the rear wash / wipe system
The Exterior
- The Subaru boasts a sleek and interesting design with plenty to draw the eye
- This example is finished in its original Bordeaux Pearl livery
- Overall, the condition of the paint and bodywork appears good
- In detail, there is quite a bit of imperfection to the finish noted
- This includes chips, scratches and cracked paintwork
- The finish on the bonnet has crazed and become matt in places
- Some loss of lacquer is noted on the wing mirrors
- All the quirky SVX details are present and correct
- These include the aircraft inspired sectionalised windows
- The wrap around rear light lenses and rear reflector panel are very 1990’s JDM
- The SVX rides on its original 16-inch turbine style alloy wheels
- These are finished in silver with Subaru centre caps
- Two of these exhibit some noticeable surface corrosion
- As such, the wheels would benefit from a refurbishment
- A mixed set of tyres in a 225/50 configuration are currently fitted
The Mechanics
- As the range topper, Subaru fitted the SVX with its then biggest power plant
- In the sleek nose of the SVX sits the EG33 model 3.3L horizontally opposed flat-six boxer
- This is a naturally aspirated unit was originally rated at 230bhp at 5,400 rpm
- A healthy 228Ib-ft of torque peaked at 4,400 rpm
- Power is fed to all four wheels via a four speed 4EAT automatic transmission
- The all-wheel drive system enabled a variable distribution of power
- This varied from 90%/10% front to rear up to a 50%/50% split depending on conditions
- It is clear that some important maintenance has been undertaken recently
- This includes a full gearbox rebuilt in 2018
- In 2017, at 77,253 miles, over £2,000 was spent
- This included replacement of both cam belts and the water pump
- The rear disks and pads were also replaced at this point
- The previously leaking radiator was also re-cored
- This work, together with a long MOT, should provide a good level of reassurance
- The engine bay looks clean and highly original
- All the expected data plates appear present and correct
- The underside of the car looks to be commensurate with its age and mileage
Summary
The Subaru Alcyone SVX was an advanced car for its day and specified and equipped appropriately for Subaru’s range topping model. Its powerful flat six engine was sufficient to endow the car with a 140mph plus top speed and a 0-60mph time of under 8 seconds.
This was competitive for its time and made the SVX a consummate continent crosser. Very few made it to the UK either originally or as later personal imports. That makes the SVX the perfect car in which to participate in the many UK based JDM shows and events.
This was competitive for its time and made the SVX a consummate continent crosser. Very few made it to the UK either originally or as later personal imports. That makes the SVX the perfect car in which to participate in the many UK based JDM shows and events.
This example is an honest car with a sensible original mileage for its age and a good record of recent maintenance. The originality is excellent overall, too, right down to the funky 1990’s Alcyone SVX carpet mats. This example is sure to prove a real find for enthusiasts and JDM connoisseurs alike. Bid today.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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