1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI GC8 Type R V5 3-Door

Highlights

• Imported Type R STI V5 GC8

• Tuned and upgraded - 500bhp and six-speed 'box

• Numerous supporting modifications

• Exceedingly rare full TRY-R Blister kit

• Fully restored underside - incredible condition

Overview

Just as we all know the sky is blue and water is wet, it’s a known fact that 2-door Imprezas look better than 4-doors. This writer might catch a little flack for that statement, but never mind! 

This highly-modified, Pure White (51E) example is surely proof of that statement. Originally registered in Japan in November 1998, this Impreza was one of a very small handful fitted with a full TRY-R blister kit, a move that would’ve set the then-owner back the equivalent of circa £10,000 when new. Being a Type R, this Impreza also benefits from DCCD (driver controlled centre differential) and a closer-ratio gearbox than a standard STI. 

Imported into the UK in 2016, this GC8 has been used and enjoyed on both sides of the planet, and has benefitted from extensive upgrades both during its time in Japan and whilst on UK shores, including a full underside restoration (it’s so clean you could eat off of it!) numerous mechanical upgrades, a remap, engine rebuild (circa 3,000 miles ago) and more.

500bhp is a very serious output and with 2-door Imprezas becoming more and more desirable as the years go on, rare examples such as this fully-kitted Japanese import will likely become more desirable still. Go on, you know you want to…

History and documentation

• Registered in Japan 01 Nov 1998

• Registered in the UK 01 Apr 2016

• Numerous invoices for servicing in the UK

• Printouts of parts ordered and fitted

• 4x new Bola wheels and Federal 595RSR tyres fitted in May 2016

• Engine rebuild invoice from GasTech, including honing bores, new valves cut and setting tappets, injectors serviced and fitted with new seals, remove, strip and rebuild engine and HID headlamp conversion in Oct 2016

• Radiator replaced by a MishiMoto unit in October 2016

• Alignment report

• Printout of dynamometer run confirming 503bhp, mapped by Alan Jeffery in Sep 2017

• Later power steering pump, new Group N intake fitted at odo reading of 77,558 (presumed to be km as no date noted) which equates to 48,192 miles 

• Oil service, compression test, new plugs fitted at 53,993 miles (no date noted)

• Oil and filter change, G hook front/rear discs and kevlar pads fitted, brake bleed in Nov 2021 (no mileage noted)

• Oil and filter change in Nov 2022 inc gearbox/diff oil (no mileage noted)

• Invoice for fitting of new twin-plate clutch and release bearing Jun 2024 (around 200 miles ago)

• Old MOT certificates

• Note that some invoices show km and some miles, the conversion appearing to be between the 2017 and 2018 MOT tests

• One key

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 11 Feb 2026

• V5 present

• HPI clear

• The seller notes that the engine bay will be dry-ice blasted, and the chip in the windscreen will be filled prior to completion of the sale

Interior

• Interior in good overall condition with several factory and aftermarket upgrades

• Additional Lamco gauges fitted in the centre console, as well as a steering column-mounted boost gauge

• AEM AFR gauge and HKS turbo timer

• Nardi steering wheel

• Machined blue shifter knob

• Aftermarket speakers in the boot (subwoofer and 2x 6x9 speakers)

• Red JDM flare still located under the passenger seat

• The dashboard upper has been flocked, and presents well with a few patches of missing flock

• Both front seats exhibit some light wear, with the seat bases showing some baggy fabric

• In the rear, both seats are in a similar condition with some light staining visible on the central dividing cushion

• The high-traffic areas such as the lower centre console, lower dashboard, door cards and switchgear exhibit a commensurate usage patina

• Spare wheel present in boot

• No reported electrical faults

Exterior

• Pure white (51E) bodywork and paint in fair condition, fitted with rare TRY-R blister kit

• The seller notes that the paintwork is not believed to be original, but it is the correct factory colour

• The bodykit has a number of scuffs on the lower edges of both the front and rear bumper, and is cracking on the upper edge of the lower intake ‘mouth’ around the area a registration plate would usually be affixed

• We note a number of patches of paint bubbling, including on the rear bumper upper face, rear wing, NSR wing (above the light cluster) around the front intake, and some paint flaking on the offside mirror arm

• Elsewhere, there is a dent below the nearside rear light cluster, stone chips around the rear skirt ducts on both sides, gravel rash to the rear of the arches, and some other light stone chips on the exposed edges

• Being very particular, we’d also point out the headlights would benefit from some attention as they are starting to haze

• All four of the Bola wheels (painted in gold, set off against blue calipers) are in excellent condition and look great against the Pure White bodywork

• Whilst the bodywork may benefit from a little TLC, the underside of the vehicle is in exemplary condition, having been stripped, sprayed and overhauled - just look at how clean it is!

• Overall, a rare TRY-R kitted car that is well-known in Japan, that has been overhauled extensively underneath, and would now benefit from the same attention to its upper half to bring it back to its show-car best

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre turbocharged ‘boxer four’ engine, tuned to 503bhp

• Close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox conversion

• All-wheel drive

• Significant mechanical upgrades including fitment of silicone hoses, upgraded MishiMoto radiator, JapSpeed exhaust, upgrade brakes and more

• The seller is in the process of getting a full specification breakdown from a previous owner, and will update the listing if successful

• It is noted that the seller is not aware of any corrosion issues

• The engine bay will be dry-ice blasted prior to completion of the sale

• The seller states that the car “sounds mental” and is intoxicating to drive, though requires real focus due to the increased power output and twin-plate clutch

Summary

Previously featured in a Japanese tuning magazine, extensively upgraded and modified and now running just over 500bhp, this TRY-R kitted two-door GC8 Type R V is one for the confident driver and Subaru enthusiast alike, and will no doubt offer plentiful driving thrills and performance for the next owner to enjoy.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Padgate, Warrington.