Its hard to believe that this iconic 555 Blue WRX is now 30 years old!!
A genuine undisputed World Market Collector car with an undeniable claim to fame at the hands of quite simply some of the very best rally drivers the world has ever seen.
Longstanding motorsport partner Prodrive and Subaru Technica International (STi, later STI) developed the Impreza according to Group A regulations. While it used the same engine, chassis and suspension as the Legacy RS, it received a new turbocharger, intercooler and cylinder heads. Additionally, it was the first rally car with active differentials.
For the 1993 World Rally Championship (WRC) season the Subaru team introduced a distinctive blue-with-yellow colour scheme. It was a reference to its sponsorship deal with State Express 555, a cigarette brand from British American Tobacco (BAT), and the team opted to name their competition model the 555. This colour scheme has been iconic in the minds of Subaru fans ever since.
Ask any motorsports fan to name one car that is synonymous with the rally sport, and the Subaru Impreza 555 will surely be among the top five, if not number one, which is no small feat when we are talking comparison to the almighty Audi Quatros, and BDA Escorts!
This immaculate road going JDM survivor example you see here before you is a 1995 model making it a very significant car in the fact that this was a particularly successful year for the WRX. It is also representative of the car with which the legend Colin McRae won his first, and only, drivers world championship in 1995 at age 27. This made him the youngest competitor ever, and also the first Briton to achieve this, and many Kiwi rally fans will long remember our very own Possum Bourne leaping a fast and very well driven 555 Blue Impresa though the local forests in the day.
Recently released from a private collection, this particular STI WRX 555 appears to have likely never ever seen a shingle road, let along any sort of motor sport event, and is what could considered a true representation of its very low AA certified 101k kms. Sporting a very clean unmolested original body with lovely paint, and finished in the very best colour of all, hero colour Code 53C 555 Rally Blue, complemented by gold factory alloys this stunning WRX looks pretty much just as it would have 30 years ago. The interior is in very good condition and still has the factory mats emergency flair and even the radio has never had a band expander fitted! The correct original roof vent and I/C Water spray button are all present and correct, along with the unique little fixtures and fittings that anyone reading this add will have no doubt already recognised.
Not only is this simply a really fun to own and a true drivers car that puts a big smile on your face, it is a rare example of a car that has absolutely assured its position in the history books for all time, and its pretty clear that examples in this condition will without doubt be truly rewarding future investment.
One for the astute collector who will recognise that this example will never be cheaper than it is today, and if history is anything to go by look at what you are now paying for any BDA Escortand this car doesnt have any missing pieces or dark secrets in its history.
Better than money in the bank? Quite possibly.