1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Version 4

Highlights 

• Rare and highly desirable limited edition Impreza 

• Stripped out, motorsport-inspired JDM model

• 276bhp, 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four engine

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• Recent full service

• Especially low mileage

• Excellent condition throughout

• Potential investment and highly collectable

• Long, advisory-free MOT 

Overview

The Subaru Impreza, despite its rather humble beginnings, will forever be associated with motorsport success, along with all of the kudos points that operating at the top level of any discipline brings. Granted, the WRX STi incarnation of Subaru's original family runabout is a far cry from its initial intended use but so good was the basic design and layout that with the benefit of hindsight we can see that where the car ended up, i.e. winning countless World Rally Championships, was almost a foregone conclusion. 

Dating back to '92, the WRX, and indeed the later homologated STi versions, were based on the original WRC cars, providing enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience rally-bred tech on the road, including all wheel drive, beefed up suspension and performance-focused turbocharged engines. But for those hankering after a little more involvement there was the RA. 

Highly sought after and produced in limited numbers, the RA is a stripped out, JDM-only offering that was available as an option for the original WRX as well as across all six versions of the  STi. Very much aimed at the motorsport enthusiast as a base model for building race cars, it was lighter in weight, unburdened as it was of most creature comforts and featured many performance enhancements including an uprated engine with intercooler water spray and a close-ratio gearbox, upgrades that would be a mainstay for the subsequent RA models throughout the years.

This particular Subaru Impreza WRX STi RA is from 1997, making it a version 4 car with driver controlled centre differential and a 276bhp, 2.0L EJ207 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, along with the usual RA improvements and weight saving measures. Coming to market in exceptional condition and having covered approximately 25.5K miles from new, this especially rare and highly original JDM hero has been meticulously maintained. Recently fully serviced (including timing belt) it is now ready to be enjoyed by its next incredibly lucky owner.

History and documentation

• 1997 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• First registered 01 Dec 1997

• First registered in the UK 01 Feb 2026

• In current ownership since 02 Mar 2026

• Purchased by the current owner with at 40,869km from Japanese import specialists DCY Europe in Jan 2026; having scratched the itch, he's looking to buy something more modern

• Prior to sale the car was MOT’d and registered by DCY Europe

• One registered former keeper(DCY Europe)

• Two keys

• Original Japanese documentation, including service schedule showing inspections at the following intervals: 10,594km, 21,940km, 24,973km, 31,167km, 38,253km, 39,645km, 39,106km, 40,043km, 40,330km

• Invoice for the following works dated 28 Jan 2026: full service (including timing belt and aux belts), new front brake discs and pads, four new tyres, replacement original exhaust back box, new fuel tank (including all new filters), full clean Lanoguard treatment to the underside

• Advisory-free MOT until 11 Jan 2027

• HPI clear

• 41,122 indicated kilometres (which equates to 25,552 miles)

Interior

• In superb, clean condition throughout

• Wholly original save for an after market Kenwood double DIN stereo head unit and parcel shelf speakers plus a HKS turbo timer

• Despite the generally lightweight focus of the RA, this one is specified with air conditioning, making it more usable on a day to day basis

• No signs of any damage

• Limited wear and tear in line with current mileage

• Seats, door cards and carpets remain in excellent condition

• Dashboard is intact

• Headlining has not sagged

• Floor mats present

• Boot space is tidy but the carpet does carry some light staining 

• Engine bay presents in wonderfully clean condition

Exterior

• Exceptional original condition; most of the paintwork and the decals are said to be factory original

• The vendor reports no previous damage although the car has had some paint work to the sills and bumper as noted in the most recent service invoice

• No obvious evidence of any corrosion

• Gaps are uniform across all panels

• All glasswork looks to be damage-free

• Some of the black door handle trim has started to fade ever so slightly

• Some light degradation to the rear decals

• The 16” five-spoke factory alloy wheels are in great shape overall with only a couple of very small marks here and there to note

• New Toyo Proxes tyres fitted Jan 2026

• Following a recent clean and Lanoguard treatment the underside presents in especially good condition 

Mechanical

• 276bhp, 2.0-litre flat-four turbocharged engine

• Close ratio five-speed manual gearbox

• Driver controlled centre differential

• Four-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.5s

• 147mph top speed 

• Intercooler water spray

• HKS turbo timer

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car has been faultless during their ownership 

Summary

Produced in the hundreds rather than the thousands the Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA STi Version 4 is an incredibly rare and really rather rapid version of one of the most iconic cars ever built and this stunning low mileage example has clearly been cherished, is fully serviced and ready to drive away. Having covered limited miles in current ownership the car is being offered to an enthusiast to appreciate and use and would make an excellent track day weapon, weekend toy or particularly noteworthy addition to any classic car collection.

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 Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire.