Holy Grail Subaru Impreza 22B STI | Spotted
An original, UK-supplied, mint condition example. Bargain at any price, right?
With the confirmation of one more crazy Corolla, it was hard not to delve into the mighty JDM back catalogue. It’s great to see Toyota still fighting the good fight, forging ahead with fun stuff while the rest retreat into obscurity - yet the new GRMN is also a reminder of how much things have changed. Stripped out specials used to be 10-a-penny, or so it seemed; now they’d be non-existent were it not for Toyota.
While some way from thriving right now, the Japanese automotive industry has always gone about things its own way. All the way back to cars like the Honda S800 and Mazda Cosmo, it was clear that Japan wasn’t just going to copy; it was going to innovate and inspire all on its own, too.
Nowhere was that approach clearer than when it came to rallying. Audi may have been the four-wheel-drive pioneer and Lancia the pinup, though it was the Japanese makers that really embraced what special stage competition could do for their road cars - and their public image. Technology that wouldn’t find its way to European fast cars until many years after made Evos, Imprezas and the like unstoppable, as well as hugely desirable. It’s still happening today, in fact, with the GR Yaris. Think what that has done for Toyota’s reputation this decade.
For a while now, all sorts of cars from Japan’s golden era at the end of the 20th century have been sought after by collectors. Because they’re great cars, for one thing, but also because exposure to these cars through films, games and TV was unlike any other niche at any other time. Well, plus Japanese cars aren’t very well rust-protected, are they? Small numbers in period are even smaller now.
It’s all made the very best hugely valuable, and perhaps no Subaru is as coveted as the 22B. Which has always been slightly ironic, given it wasn’t actually a homologation special, but rather a limited edition model that celebrated Subaru’s 40th anniversary as well as three back-to-back WRC Constructors’ titles. Nevertheless, it had all the ingredients to create a frenzy: the 80mm wider two-door shell, the extra muscle of a 2.2, and a limited supply of just 400 units. The entire Japanese allocation was spoken for in less than two days. Even a GRMN won’t be in quite such demand.
But that wasn’t quite the end of the 22B story, as another 24 were made for export - including 16 for the UK, with a bit of Prodrive fettling. This is one of those very special Subarus, first registered in March 1999 and sold by Subaru UK in March 2003. Imagine what it went for back then. As well as being turned out in truly exceptional condition, this 22B comes with a stack of what must be pretty valuable spares, including four genuine wheels and a set of cylinder heads. The ‘R22 BUK’ would be worth something to a fellow owner, no doubt.
The selling dealer has worked on this example over the years, which is always good to see. The underside has been protected, the cambelt is fairly recent and the oil is fresh, so anyone keen to discover why the 22B was welcomed to the PH Heroes hall of fame more than a decade ago would be ideally placed to do so. If the value could be ignored just for a minute, that is. (Back in 2015, the prospect of damaging any bespoke 22B bodywork was intimidating enough, with the car in question insured for £50k.)
Now this one is for sale at £325,000, in case you’d underestimated the current fascination with all things modern classic and Japanese. A lower mileage, Japanese market machine is being offered at £300,000. 22Bs blow even Tommi Makinen Evos out of the water when it comes to prices. When R34 GT-Rs are offered at £200k and NSX-Rs at £700k (!) maybe we shouldn’t be surprised - yet it seems fair to say that the 22B’s star has risen even higher than all the rest. Good job it remains such a stunning thing to look at, really - would you be brave enough to drive a £300k Subaru?
SPECIFICATION | SUBARU IMPREZA 22B STI TYPE UK
Engine: 2,214cc flat-4, turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 267@3,200rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 23,514
Price new: £39,950
Yours for: £325,000
Despite the standard car being more suited to UK roads, and other versions better to drive, the 22B will always be the ultimate expression of an iconic car, and one I would be quite happy to accommodate in my collection should funds allow (which they won't).
It doesn t take much to think about what other cars I could have for £325k, and special / rare / lovely as the 22B is, I m not sure I d prefer it to many others at this price.
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