2003 Subaru Impreza STI RA Spec C Limited

• 1 of only 1,000 Spec C examples produced worldwide, of which only 300 are in red
• The STI Spec C was a homologation model for Subaru to enter the WRC and the European N rally series, with lightened glass and body panels, quicker steering, and specific suspension with revised control arms
• This Spec C Limited, with more features than the base Spec C, was imported new to the UK from Japan in May 2003 by Iain Litchfield of Litchfield Imports/Motors, the UK's foremost authority on Japanese performance cars, and was used as a demonstrator for their engineering prowess, being a genuine 335bhp machine with some choice additions
• In Litchfield ownership, this car featured in numerous motoring magazines, including Autocar, Japanese Performance and twice in EVO, winning their ‘Real World Car of the Year 2003’, with Richard Meaden quoting 'I reckon, in all seriousness, this has to be the fastest car on the planet. The combination of grip, acceleration, retardation and handling is unmatched by any other car I've driven'
• As a result of such positive acclaim, Litchfield decided to create their revered ‘Type 25’ cars, with this car being build #000/prototype for the series (a plaque in the car denotes this)
• Only 38 ‘Type 25’ examples were built, with just 5 based on the Spec C model
• Meticulously maintained to the highest levels by Litchfield and accompanied by a letter of provenance for its significance and participation in the magazine features.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type RA Spec C Limited of 2003 was a very special low-production car, based on the lightweight Spec C model, used to help Subaru to homologate its cars for rallying.

Always at the forefront of the latest and greatest Japanese performance cars, this actual car was imported brand new from Japan into the UK, by Iain Litchfield of Litchfield Imports in May 2003 (as documented on accompanying paperwork). With some of his improvements, a Milltek exhaust and ECU tweak, this 335bhp car went on to feature in numerous high-profile motoring magazines and received much acclaim from car journalists and professional drivers alike.

In July 2003, the car was driven by Takumo Sato, Justin Wilson, Phil Bennett and Martin Anderson from Lotus as part of a feature for ‘Autocar’ magazine's ‘Best Handling Car 2003’. It was involved in two features, the first 'Magnificent Seven' in which 32 original cars were shortlisted down to 7. Then in 'Rally Rockets' the car went head-to-head against a Mitsubishi Evo VIII FQ300, and trounced it, with Chris Harris preferring the Subaru on performance. Also, over the two days nothing less than a Porsche 911 GT3 could outrun it or out-entertain it. It's best lap time around Rockingham was 1min 22.2sec which was only 0.6sec slower than the Lamborghini Murcielago.

The car then travelled to the French/German border as part of an EVO magazine feature, in issue 060 from October 2003 and achieved the top 5-star rating with comments like ‘'Lightning-sharp responses, awesome roadholding", it convincingly raised the bar left by the RB5 and P1.

The car then featured in EVO Magazine again, in issue 063 from January 2004. It was one of 11 cars selected for the 20-page feature 'The Real World' as part of the EVO Car of The Year (ECOTY) event. This car was named the winner of the ‘2003 Real World Car of the Year’ title. In summary, Richard Meaden said “I reckon, in all seriousness, this has to be the fastest car on the planet. The combination of grip, acceleration, retardation, and handling is unmatched by any other car I've driven. Whatever firepower it comes up against in Part 2, the Spec C has nothing to fear, except a little snobbery.” Jethro Bovington said, “The most natural on-limit oversteer of any four-wheel-drive I've ever experienced'. If you've got an STi Type UK on order, cancel it now”.

As a result of such positive acclaim, Iain Litchfield decided to create his revered ‘Type 25’ cars, with this car being build #000 prototype for the series (he installed a plaque in the car to recognise this). This car had a 2.5-litre engine fitted for 4,500 miles as part of the Type 25 development process, which was subsequently removed, and the original engine refitted by Litchfields. The car’s current specification includes a DCCD (driver-controlled centre differential), BBS alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, a Milltek sports exhaust, and a PSI3 ECU data monitor.

Only 38 ‘Type 25’ examples were ever built, with just 5 based on the Spec C model, and it started with this actual car. It is thought build #001 was stolen and was never recovered.

The car was meticulously maintained to the highest levels by Litchfield and is accompanied by a letter of provenance for its significance and participation in the magazine features. The car is also accompanied by its original importation papers, book-pack, including service book with 13 entries, plus old MOT Certificates and some invoices.

Our vendor purchased the car back in 2011 with then 77,256 miles covered and has done less than 16,000 miles during his ownership (a little over 4,000 miles covered since 2014). The mileage was warranted when he purchased it.

Whilst participating in the press articles, the car wore just the basic 2003 Subaru gold alloy wheels and a STi carbon fibre rear wing fitted. It now has been upgraded to lightweight BBS alloy wheels and a standard Spec C rear spoiler.

A part of Subaru history – great provenance, fascinating history and one of the best Imprezas ever built.