1996 Subaru Impreza Series McRae

The Impreza Series McRae, launched in 1995, was the first of many limited-edition Subaru Imprezas and was created to commemorate Colin McRae’s first World Rally Championship win, for both driver and manufacturer, with the Subaru 555 World Rally Team. The build-run was limited to 200 cars and they were built in the UK by Prodrive and all were painted in Rally Blue mica. The specification included unique Recaro seats featuring open headrests, front wing and bonnet mounted badges and a numbered plaque on the centre console.

This superbly restored example has been a real labour of love for the enthusiast vendor, the car has been the subject of a last nut and bolt restoration. The result is simply fantastic. Further details of the cars specification and extensive works carried out can be viewed in the extensive history file. Rarely do such fine Series McRae examples come to the market, your early viewing of this car and its paperwork is encouraged.

From our vendor;

After I purchased the car in 2014, I stripped the vehicle and had all bodywork done, 2 x new genuine Subaru wings, new genuine Subaru bonnet, new genuine Subaru boot lid, o/s still repaired and rear wheel arch repaired, complete n/s still replaced with genuine Subaru parts and rear wheel arch repaired, all bodywork resprayed, rear screen refitted and new front windscreen fitted with new seals, genuine series McRae decals were used, (front wing decals under the lacquer), new Subaru boot badge, Subaru 3-piece front lower bumper lip fitted, new sunroof seal fitted, new Subaru roof trim clips used during reassembly

INTERIOR; Rear seat repaired and front seat bolster repaired with original material, new Nardi gear knob fitted, original radio fitted, couple of marks to interior door trims N/S/F seat back rest adjuster has collapsed at the moment, requires new back rest, I will try and have a replacement ready for the sale so at least the parts are there to repair it, dashboard has been replaced due to previous dash mounted gauges, Clifford alarm/immobiliser fitted and connected to central locking, Nicky Grist signed passenger sun visor (Rally Day 2017).

FRONT SUSPENSION (2016); New shockers, lowered springs, strut-tops, front wheel bearings fitted. Alloy lower suspension arms, new lower ball joints, tie rods, track-rod ends, 4-pot callipers, pads and discs, brake flexi pipes,  outer cv joints, outer cv boots, anti-roll bar links.

REAR SUSPENSION (2016) New rear shockers, lowering springs, shocker tops, callipers, discs and pads, handbrake shoes, handbrake shoes spring fitting kit, ABS sensors, rear handbrake cables, rear flexi brake pipes, rear brake pipes fitted

UNDERBODY (2016); New fuel filler neck fitted, rear suspension components powder-coated, rear diff oil changed twice, gearbox oil changed, rear subframe replaced with a rust-free replacement. 

ENGINE (2020); Engine removed and stripped due to head gasket failure, block halves and heads sent to machine shop, block halves were bored to 95.5mm, honed and decked, cylinder heads were checked, decoked, and skimmed, crankshaft measured and polished, crankshaft fitted ACL bearings (big end and main), new forged Manley connecting rods fitted, block halves rebuilt with original Subaru gaskets/sealer and bolt kit, new Mahle 95.5mm forged pistons, 11mm Subaru oil pump, Subaru oil pick up pipe, Subaru sump, Subaru kidney oil cover, APR 11mm head-studs, Subaru original head gaskets, exhaust valves fitted, inlet valves re-lapped, Subaru camshaft oil seals, Subaru front and rear crankshaft oil seals, Subaru half-moon gaskets, Rocker covers crinkle coated and refitted with Subaru gaskets and bolts, front crankshaft gear and damper fitted, Gates timing-belt kit, cambelt tensioner, water pump, thermostat, Inlet manifold crinkle coated and refitted, Subaru Group N engine mounts fitted, new age coil pack conversion, Japspeed 40mm black alloy radiator fitted, lightened flywheel and boots, 230mm clutch, clutch return spring, Subaru intercooler, Ramair air induction filter, Blue silicone engine hoses, Original airbox and inlet resonator box/pipe available to put induction back to standard, chipped Prodrive ECU fitted, lifts boost to 1.1 bar I believe. STI strut-brace and Fuji 340 LPH fuel pump fitted. 

EXHAUST (2016); Decat front bell mouth 3 ‘to 2.5’ down-pipe. Straight through centre pipe. Ninja tailpipe

WHEELS (2016); These have been refurbed, but some paint is flaking, all new tyres were fitted 2016. New Subaru wheel nuts fitted, wheel centre badges replaced (not originals), original space saver and tools in boot. Also in boot a spare safari alloy and tyre, doesn’t look original colour and fitted with a 195 tyre. 20mm wheel spacers are fitted,to clear the front 4 pot callipers

(2022) New gearbox speedo sensor fitted, oil and filter changed, rear diff oil changed

The Private 555 plate which I have owned for about 10 years is included in the sale (the original reg was N979 DRW). The car has had 8 former keepers and there is Service History up to about 2010. Supplied with 2 keys and 2 Alarm Fobs.

The car has currently got 120,565 miles on the clock, the engine has currently done 891 miles since its rebuild. Only lightly used recently with 35 miles in 2021 and 117 miles in 2020. I have serviced the McRae every year myself (time served technician for over 30 years) and any work/ parts needed has been done. The vehicle has been garaged every night since its restoration and the MOT is valid until 21st March 2023.