Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. In the early 1990s Subaru’s rally exploits turned the brand’s image on its head. From being staid, unimaginative all-wheel drive oddities that only a farmer might want, the cars campaigned by the likes of Ari Vatanen, Markku Alen, Colin McRae and Richard Burns became the darlings of the 1990s go-faster brigade, as the Legacy and Impreza conquered rally stages across the globe and won World Championships.
The first of these to appear was based on the successful Legacy four-door saloon and appeared in 1988 as the Legacy RS, with production starting in 1989. It featured a 220PS (220bhp) 2-litre, EJ20 turbo-charged, flat-four engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive, with a top speed of 155mph and designed to be homologated for 'Group A' competition.
First registered in 1989, this early-generation RS Legacy was imported from Japan and has been with its current owner since 2014 kept in heated storage with (importantly) no external lighting where this time-warp remains today having covered less than 1, 200 miles since then. Sitting on a set of gold 15-inch six-spoke alloy wheels, it's finished in Ceramic White (057) over a grey cloth-trimmed interior, featuring light grey ‘tricot’ cloth inserts on the seats with matching door cards.
The factory specification includes a heated rear windscreen, three-spoke leather-trimmed Momo steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, a CD and cassette stereo, electrically adjustable folding door mirrors, and electric windows. Under the bonnet sits the turbocharged 2. 0-litre 16-valve ‘EJ20’ flat-four, producing around 220bhp shared with all four wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
It will retain the private plate, G14 PWL purchased to go with the car as a link to Collin McRae's 'Group A'-winning Subaru Legacy, J314 GWL
This Subaru Legacy RS Turbo is a very well-presented time-warp of the modern classic Japanese performance saloon, offered in impressive, original condition, and with tiny mileage. Presented in a timeless factory colour scheme, with a potent turbocharged flat-four, an engaging five-speed manual gearbox, and permanent four-wheel drive, it would make an excellent addition to any collection of Japanese performance cars, and an exciting yet practical retro daily driver or weekend toy.
