Subaru Imprezza Turbo WRX

Subaru Imprezza Turbo WRX – Beautifully presented early GC8 Impreza Turbo with just 8,900 miles from new.

Launched in Japan with the WRX badge, the turbocharged Impreza boasted a power output of some 240bhp with official UK sales beginning in late 1994, however, to conform to UK regulations, the engine was retuned to 208bhp and the car was badged as the Impreza 2000 Turbo AWD. This was a car that changed the motoring public’s perception of affordable performance offering Escort Cosworth-beating performance for just under £18,000 – £8,000 less than the Ford resulting in many enthusiasts migrating from one ‘Blue Oval’ to another.

The Impreza was available as a four-door saloon or five-door hatchback/station wagon, however, Subaru chose to continue their longstanding use of the the four-cam EJ20 boxer engine with the option of permanent four-wheel drive. According to Subaru, this configuration minimised body-roll due to the lower centre of gravity compared with offset engines in most other vehicles. The boxer design was well balanced and provided good vibration mitigation with the movement of each piston being largely countered by a piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter-weighted rotating crankshaft (harmonic balancer). Torque steer is also minimised with this type of powertrain layout since the front drive shafts are of equal length and weight.

The fabulous Subaru on offer today is one of four Impreza WRX models purchased brand new in Hong Kong in 1995. All four vehicles remained unregistered and unused and kept in secure storage with the supplying Subaru Dealership. In 2003 all four vehicles were shipped to the United Kingdom in two 40 ft containers via Henderson Line Ltd through general agents in Hong Kong – Exel Hong Kong Ltd.  The date of shipping was 4th August 2003 and iImportation into the UK was handled by CARS UK Ltd – 3rd September 2003. All Customs clearance, processing charges, import duties and VAT payable were settled through CARS UK Ltd. The vehicles were then placed into storage in a Bonded Warehouse storage facility. On 13th November 2003, the vehicles were shipped by covered transporter from CARS UK to a secure storage facility in Cannock, Staffordshire.The recorded mileage on the speedometer of GC8-033988 as at 18th November 2003 read 00189 and the trip meter indicated the exact same reading of 00189.

18th August 2004 the vehicle was delivered to North Birmingham Motor Co Ltd for recommissioning and preparatory work in order to present the vehicle for SVA Inspection prior to applying to DVLA for the vehicle to be UK registered. The speedometer reading at this point read 00230. A converter was fitted to change readings from KMH to MPH and 230 km became 230 miles.

The vehicle joined several other important classic cars in the owner’s private Collection and was/is kept alongside his other vehicles held in secure, heated, de-humidified storage. All the vehicles were/are looked after by a small team of professionals, consisting of a fully qualified Mechanical Engineer (Ex-Aston Martin trained – 40 years’ experience) and his junior assistant, a Valet (Ex-Aston Martin Distributor) and a General Manager. As with the majority of car collections, all of the vehicles were/are kept in storage over the winter months (Oct to May) and were/are only driven during fine weather conditions. All are kept in Carcoons and/or Air Chambers under high-quality fitted dust sheets. They are all ‘kept on the key’ by way of being regularly started and run-up to full operating temperatures and lightly exercised periodically during long periods of inactivity. Fuel, fluids and filters are regularly refreshed and they are presented for an MOT test every year, wherever practical.

At the time of photography, 033988 had covered a total of 8,963 miles and they are all detailed in an extensive report that covers MOTs, mileages between, every service, all maintenance and any upgrades/rectifications in amazing detail. The report runs to four A4 pages and is far too long to display here but it is available to interested parties through our consignor and a copy will be with the car’s history file at our Documents Desk at Race Retro.

This little Subaru is not a ‘trailer-queen’ but has been regularly used and enjoyed during over past years, however, the level of maintenance and care can only be described as ‘exceptional’. All the original parts ( wheels, suspension, exhaust etc.) are available to collect from our vendor should the new owner require them.