1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI

• UK supplied, right-hand drive 22B with just 2 previous keepers and 15,500 miles from new
• 1 of around 400 manufactured in total, 3 cars designated #000 were presented to Colin McRae, Nicky Grist and David Lapworth
• Having been dry stored correctly over the years, this example is beautifully preserved and appears to be completely standard
• First registered to David Darling CBE, entrepreneur and video game developer responsible for the Colin McRae Rally Series computer games
• Highly sought after and the ‘Holy Grail’ to car collectors, rarely do UK supplied cars come to market and this example is undoubtedly one of the best remaining
• Our vendor has applied for a new V5c, which is currently being processed by DVLA

The Subaru company was formed in 1958 and is predominantly owned by Fuji Heavy Industries and in 1998, to celebrate their 40th Anniversary, the development team released a special limited-edition car to honour the success of the business in manufacturing and motorsport – the 22B was born.

Data suggests that a total of 426 cars were manufactured. Three cars, designated #000, were presented to Colin McRae, Nicky Grist and David Lapworth, there was no number 13, and 24 cars were manufactured for issue outside of Japan. Of these 24, 16 were delivered to the UK and the other 8 went to Subaru concessions throughout the world.

Each 22B was hand-built starting with a lightweight 2-door WRX bodyshell with the front and rear arches removed and replaced with wide arches to facilitate the increased track (40mm upfront and 80mm at the rear). The cubic capacity was increased to 2.2-litres from 2.0-litres and, when combined with custom fuel rails, lightweight forged pistons and a large IHI VF23 roller-bearing turbo, an additional 70bhp and huge mid-range torque at 3,000rpm resulted. The package is neatly finished off with the same adjustable rear spoiler as the WRC car enabling downforce to be varied on twisty tarmac events.

Offered here is a UK-supplied from new, 22B classically finished in Sonic Blue Mica and presented in time-warp condition. Car number 111 displayed just 15,500 miles, at the time of cataloguing, in the hands of  its two previous keepers. The first of these was Mr David Darling CBE, entrepreneur and video game developer responsible for the Colin McRae Rally Series computer games who first registered the car on 21st August 1998 . With minimal use and correctly dry stored over the years, this example is remarkably well preserved and could form part of any collection of landmark performance cars. It's accompanied by its history file which includes the Service Book most recently stamped with Cam-belts and new tyres on 23 March 2019 @ 15,340 miles.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a very exclusive modern classic, a highly sought after model for all the right reasons and the ultimate road-going rally car from the golden era of WRC – Unrepeatable!