1993 Subaru Impreza Rally Car

Originally owned by Prodrive – used as a recce car

Recent engine rebuild by Graham Sweet and 6-speed JDM gearbox rebuilt by John Roberts

Has MSA Passport and UK V5c and will have an MoT prior to sale

A perfect candidate to take tarmac rallying

Subaru's first venture on to the world stage was at the 1980 Safari Rally with the un-competitive Leone model, and the arduous African event would remain the focus of the firm's rally campaign for several years. In 1990 Subaru started what was to become a fruitful and legendary partnership with Dave Richards motorsport firm Prodrive, who would undertake the building and running of their World Rally Championship programme. Beginning with the Subaru Legacy, the 4WD"s turbocharged engine and the addition of driver Markku Alen to the Prodrive 'Works' team, outright victory at international level continued to prove elusive. However, it was not long before a Scotsman by the name of Colin McRae started making a name for himself resulting in becoming British Rally Champion in 1991 and 1992.

1993 saw the arrival of the new Subaru Impreza Turbo and it wasn"t until the following season that the car was available to Colin McRae and teammate Carlos Sainz to campaign in the WRC. The next three seasons brought huge successes in the form of manufacturers championships and a World Drivers Crown for McRae in 1995. Richard Burns sealed a drivers championship in 2001 as did Norwegian Petter Solberg in 2003 firmly placing the Subaru Impreza and Prodrive in the history books of the WRC.

Offered here is a 1993 Subaru Impreza "GC8" chassis designation first registered and owned by Prodrive. It was used as a "recce" car by the Allstars Team and, in the intervening years, was used on national stage rallies in the UK. As with all rally cars, it has led a hard life and inevitably has had panels replaced from time to time and even, we believe, a new bodyshell at one point.

Most recently, and some 70 stage miles ago, the engine was fully rebuilt by Graham Sweet (who built the engine originally at Prodrive), to include; a new crank, new Omega Pistons, Group 'A' rods, new baffled sump, new cam pulleys and belts, new fuel pump, a new VF34 turbo, and a GEMS ECU which has been mapped by Dave Griffiths of Interpro to produce 304 bhp and 366 lbs torque. Married to the engine is a 6-speed JDM gearbox which has been rebuilt by John Roberts and has completed 0 miles since. R180 differentials and shafts are fitted along with a new Exedy clutch. The car retains its original Prodrive 50mm jumbo Bilstein dampers which again have covered just 70 stage miles since being fully rebuilt by Bilstein. The interior features a Peltor intercom system, Brantz trip meter and maps lights. All prospective bidders should satisfy themselves as to the currency and legality of all safety equipment in this car. The car currently rides on 18” wheels shod with good Hankook tyres.

Supplied with its MSA passport, a UK V5c, and a fresh MOT prior to the sale, this piece of Prodrive history would make a superb tarmac car for any budding rally driver.