Gorgeous example of sought-after limited edition WRX
UK MOT and NOVA complete – ready to register
Recent cosmetic overhaul
Fully serviced and checked over by vendor
The Appeal
Motorsport can make a car - and the Subaru Impreza WRX is the perfect example.
Prior to the model’s domestic launch in 1992, Subaru was a charming but oddball car company loved by farmers and those who lived off the beaten track thanks to its benchmark four-wheel-drive technology. It had dabbled in rallying, too, notably with the Legacy in 1991-2, through which the company began its association with Scottish rallying legend Colin McRae.
McRae would go on to be a figurehead for the company throughout the 1990s as the Legacy gave way to the Impreza and the car made a name for itself across the world’s rally community, making Subaru’s mid-size saloon something of an icon – a far cry from its competent but humble beginnings.
The WRX model debuted in Japan in 1992, the name standing for World Rally eXperimental. The rally-inspired technology included turbocharging, stiffer suspension, close-ratio transmission and a faster steering rack than on a standard model.
The WRX name became a Subaru standard throughout the rest of the Impreza’s life, with numerous special editions and ever more extreme performance packages, but even in standard 240PS form it was a fabulous car to drive.
This one is a Type RA Version 5 Limited 555, one of 842 built (albeit the build plaque states 1,000). It’s a largely original car imported by the vendor directly from Japan. When he acquired it, the car had a number of modification which he has reversed to standardise its appearance, while at the same time carrying out some mechanical and cosmetic improvements including professional repairs to both sills and rear arches, a full dent removal treatment, cavity wax seal, an H&S sport cat and a full service.
All of the import paperwork is completed, the only remaining part of the process being first UK registration – the vendor hasn’t done this simply so that the new owner will be its first UK keeper.
The market for Imprezas is strong at the moment thanks to the sheer amount of nostalgia there is for cars of the 1990s among those who couldn’t afford to buy them when new.
The biggest difficulty, though, is in finding the right car. With so many Imprezas being modified or given huge performance upgrades, finding a cherished, low-mileage and completely unbastardised car is nearly impossible.
We say nearly… because you’ve just found it. Here’s your opportunity. It’s not one to miss.
The History and Paperwork
MOT July 2024
All original import and registration documentation
GC8-D series chassis number
One of 842 made
Copy of Japanese service history
Invoices for cat and dent removal
Japanese Car VX history report showing a clear accident and finance history
Original Japanese sales writing still on screen
The Condition
Classic Sonic Blue
Gold Speedline alloy wheels in good overall condition with minor marks
Excellent Yokahama ECOS tyres
Panels are all straight and dent-free other than one tiny dent on bonnet, recent dent and scratch removal
Appears structurally good underneath – undersealed in Japan and cavity sealed in UK by vendor
Rust-free rear arches, sills and door bottoms
Welded repairs carried out with localised paint to rectify previous corrosion so the car is in solid condition all over
Very good paint finish with all correct trim
Zerosport Air deflector on the underside of the bonnet scoop
Bootlid and spoiler repainted to a high standard
All glass and lights in good order including front fog lamps
555 Sports seats
Minimal wear to upholstery
Good carpets, headlining and door cards
Original jack and spare wheel
Very good dash with typically Japanese feel and design
Momo sports steering wheel
Impreza floor and boot mats
Defi 3 dials on dash
New window and door rubbers
Door trims refurbished
Front and rear strut braces
The Mechanics
2.0-litre 4cyl turbo with 280bhp (import)
Five-speed manual transmission
Four-wheel-drive
118,000km (73k miles)
According to the vendor, the car drives very well indeed, with no declared faults or issues
Advisory free MOT
Fully serviced, including timing belt by Zen Performance
H&S Sport Cat with 3-inch Grp A exhaust – to be mapped by seller
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
If an auction vehicle doesn't sell, it may be converted into a “Make an offer” listing. This will retain all of the details of the auction listing but replace the bidding functionality with an offering system whereby potential buyers can make an offer on the vehicle. To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted. Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy. If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll be charged a service fee. The amount depends on the cost of the vehicle and is an additional cost on top of the offer amount. Starting from as little as £/€300, it covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services, but rest assured, we're not in the woollen eyewear business and so the exact amount is always displayed upfront before you place your bid. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
The service fee is a charge in addition to any accepted offer amount that varies depending on the cost of the vehicle. Starting from as little as £/€300, the exact fee is clearly displayed upfront before any offer is placed so you always know exactly how much you'll be charged. It covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services and allows us to continue to provide a secure and professional platform from which to transact safely.
If you've ever squeezed a lemon then this'll be a doddle. Firstly you'll need to be logged in to your Car & Classic account and have added a valid payment card to your profile. Once these steps have been completed you can then make an offer by clicking on the "Make an offer" button on the listing page and entering your offer amount before clicking on the “Submit Offer” button underneath.