2000 Subaru Impreza P1 * One owner, 29k miles *

Highlights

• Rare and highly desirable iconic rally car for the road
• One owner from new
• Very low mileage
• 280bhp, flat-four turbocharged engine
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Some recommissioning required
• Huge investment potential

Overview

Sitting rather comfortably in the upper echelons of iconic Japanese performance cars is the Subaru Impreza, with part of that legendary status owed to its numerous rally successes at the hands of Colin McRae and Richard Burns. However, not all Imprezas were created equal and the sheer number of special editions over multiple generations can be a little overwhelming. Surely we can all agree that the first-gen Subaru Impreza P1 is a bit of a stand out track though and perhaps even the best of the bunch overall?

When the P1 was introduced in 2000 the craze for road-going WRC cars was in full swing. We simply couldn't get enough of Subaru's performance models but alas, us Brits were a bit hard done by when it came to the truly special models that were largely reserved for the car's native Japan. That was until the P1. Developed by Prodrive (Subaru's rally arm), the P1 was officially the first two-door Impreza available in the UK and was purposely set up with dialled-in suspension for European roads.

Crafted to commemorate Subaru's rally success and offered in a bid to counter the slew of grey imports that were making their way to these fair shores, the limited edition P1 was extensively upgraded compared to the original Turbo 2000 cars. Featuring, among other improvements, a new ECU that increased power to 280bhp, performance was suitably dramatic with a 0-60mph time of around four-and-a-half seconds. It looked the part too, thanks to its Peter Stevens-designed body kit and it was also (and is increasingly) far cheaper than Subaru's other golden child – the Impreza 22B.

This particular 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 has been with the same owner since new, evincing the model's desirability and further propagating the consensus that it's very much a car to hold on to and enjoy, with the vendor informing us that the car drives perfectly. History is limited and it's not a concours example but the interior is in tidy condition and the car has covered less than 30K miles from the factory meaning there is a lot of potential here for a bit of an exterior refurb, with the results of any restorative work no doubt bearing some particularly tasty and really rather lucrative fruit.

History and documentation

• 2000 model year
• In the same ownership since new
• V5C registration document present and correct in the vendor's name
• First registered 04 Sep 2000
• Original handbook as reported by the vendor
• The seller advises that he has the original service book with service stamps plus some invoices for replacement parts but that they have been temporarily misplaced
• Vendor reports a recent service and cambelt replacement
• New Sigma alarm and immobiliser fitted
• MOT until 12 Aug 2026
• HPI clear
• 29,809 indicated miles

Interior

• In very good condition overall
• Limited wear and tear commensurate with the car's low mileage
• No major damage to speak of
• Older after market stereo head unit with remote control
• Door cards are in good shape with only some light marks to note
• Seats and carpets are wearing well and the Prodrive mats are present
• Some scuffs to the centre armrest
• Dashboard has not weathered or cracked but there is evidence of some previous bracket installations
• No reports of any non-functioning instruments or dash warning lights
• Headlining has not sagged
• Boot space is tidy and comes with spare wheel and tools
• Overall, the interior is well preserved

Exterior

• The car appears to be wholly original and structurally sound with no evidence of any serious damage
• Vendor reports that the body has never been repaired
• Iconic Sonic Blue paintwork presents well generally but there are a number of blemishes to note
• The bodywork carries a number of minor dents and scrapes, most noticeably to the nearside front wing and driver's door
• Some lacquer lift on air scoop and rear bumper
• Paint is missing from nearside wing mirror bracket
• Some paint missing from front splitter in places
• Scratches to the front bumper
• There is an area of scratching/hazing to the rear boot lid
• A few small areas of paint bubbling are evident on the roof and around the bottom of the rear window
• Shut lines appear uniform although the front bumper looks to have fallen slightly
• The original ten spoke 17” OZ Racing wheels appear straight but would benefit from refurbishment
• Tyres are a mix of brands but there is no evidence of any damage
• Brake calipers and discs carry some surface rust
• Underneath appears straight but there is some surface rust to note to the lower suspension components and exhaust

Mechanical

• 280bhp, 2.0-litre flat-four turbocharged engine
• Engine bay presents honestly but does carry some surface rust and the intercooler has seen better days
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Four-wheel drive
• 0-60mph in 4.6s
• 155mph top speed
• No mechanical issues reported by the vendor but the current MOT lists some braking system advisories
• The vendor informs us that the car starts immediately, idles at around 550 – 600rpm and drives perfectly

Summary

Supremely desirable, thanks in part to the car's scarcity (only 1,000 were produced), the Impreza P1 perfectly embodies Subaru's commitment to producing high performance, road-legal celebrations of its rallying heritage and prowess. Make no mistake, the P1 is a true motorsport hero that deserves all of the accolades that have been lauded upon it since its debut back in 2000. Prices may not be on par with the hen's teeth 22B but they're only going one way. Spoiler alert: it's up, so if you're looking to invest in an iconic and eminently capable slice of automotive history that requires a bit of exterior TLC to bring it back to its best then get bidding because the potential here is clear to see.

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 Lancing, West Sussex.