Classic car shows

[RB5Steve]

I've done five classic car shows this year so far and I amazed how many people now come and look at Subaru impreza RB5. We all know it's now a modern classic, but now the RB5, P1 and the 22B, plus other classic shape Impreza's have been featured in classic car mags interest has really grown, before it was your a bit to old to have one of them, but now it's a different matter as interest has grown.
I was chatting to a lady a few weeks ago who has an RB5 and she says, oh. Your one of the 70 that use yours on the road all the time! Apparently there's only 170 left now. It always annoys me that the Impreza's have a boy racer image. Ok there are some idiots out there with them, but most are enthusiasts who know the history of the brand from rallying and as I found out at last year's Midland Subaru owners club meet at Curborough sprint circuit, people who own these cars are all ages. I've always liked road going versions of rally cars and have owned a few over the years which include a MK1 RS 2000, Vauxhall Nova sport and an Audi Quattro. I'm 65 and retired now, but I'm still an enthusiast of these now classic cars.
I enjoy showing my car and it's my every day run around and shall be for many years yet. Age shouldn't matter if your an enthusiast. It's all about saving these cars and keeping them in good condition and enjoying them.

[marky911]

Cool cars.

I still think they're a bit new for classic car shows but hey if the organisers let you in that's great.

Definitely a future classic but at the moment I'd say they're in between.

Some 80's cars I'd now describe as classics like XR2s etc, but in the main "classic" to me means 70's and earlier.

When I go to a classic car show I want to see cars that you rarely see in everyday use. I still see loads of Imprezas on my daily travels hence my comments.

Lovely noise though.

[Gallons Per Mile]

I'll refer you to the below link: NOTE - NSFW



That's what I think of when I see one with a shouty exhaust

The originals like yours are definitely attracting more of an enthusiast following these days I'm sure. They're the best looking of the bunch I think

ETA

No NSFW content please.

Edited by Big Al. on Friday 7th July 09:21

[RB5Steve]

You don't see many of the classic shape Impreza's round this way. Most have the next gen shape. The RB5 is classed as a modern classic. In fact mine was previewed in number 3 of modern classics. You see a lot of older drives in Impreza's these days, younger drivers seem to be in the usual VW Golf or Ford fiesta ST this way. They do let the more limited edition Subarus in to classic car shows. I have no trouble when I book my car in, in fact they welcome it because they know what the car is and the history. I'm no boy racer, I'm 65 and retired. Been doing classic car shows for twenty years now in different cars I have owned. What makes me annoyed is they sat my car is to young for classic car shows, just go one and have a look at the Jaguar, Mercedes, Porche, Ferrari stands. Lots of very new cars there, but know one complains about them being to young. Most classic car shows are now called festival of transport shows, because they know of the modern classic is getting more popular and with classics getting more expensive and in most cases unaffordable to the ordinary working man modern classics make it a less expensive option, but even modern classics are now going up in price for certain makes. Look at the 22B impreza, now £100000 for a good one, the P1 impreza, now fetching anything from £15000 to over & 20000 and my RB5 valued at £8000, when I bought it just over 4 years ago, cost me £3500, so it's obvious these cars are now collectable classics. When I remember I bought a MK1 RS 2000 second hand in 1980 for £1000 and called a boy racer. Look what there fetching now! I think it's good to see people showing modern classics now, especially if they have a rally or race heritage.

[spreadsheet monkey]

marky911 said:

Some 80's cars I'd now describe as classics like XR2s etc, but in the main "classic" to me means 70's and earlier.

Defining "classic" is a highly subjective! So long as my insurance company views my car (17 year old Jag) as a classic, that's all that matters to me.

Most classic car shows have a minimum age limit of 20 or 25 years, with exceptions only made for rare or exotic cars.

[Truckosaurus]

The OP's RB5 must be approaching 20 years of age but would be considered to many people at a classic car show to be a 'modern' car.

However, I suspect the same people would consider a mk1 Golf GTi or an early Peugeot 205 GTi to also be somewhat 'modern' despite being in the region of 35 years old.

I think the continentals have it right with their concept of 'Youngtimer' to (currently) describe vehicles from the late 20th century - it won't be long until we have 21st Century Youngtimers....

[RB5Steve]

Yeah. I do a young timers car show at Gawsworth hall in Cheshire. Most shows I attend are festival of transport shows, they combine classics, modern classics etc.

[mwstewart]

I love a bit of variety at a car show - much more than a single marque event. I must admit I thought it was a bit too young for a classic show, but the important thing is an enthusiastic owner.

[C70R]

RB5Steve said:

You don't see many of the classic shape Impreza's round this way. Most have the next gen shape. The RB5 is classed as a modern classic. In fact mine was previewed in number 3 of modern classics. You see a lot of older drives in Impreza's these days, younger drivers seem to be in the usual VW Golf or Ford fiesta ST this way. They do let the more limited edition Subarus in to classic car shows. I have no trouble when I book my car in, in fact they welcome it because they know what the car is and the history. I'm no boy racer, I'm 65 and retired. Been doing classic car shows for twenty years now in different cars I have owned. What makes me annoyed is they sat my car is to young for classic car shows, just go one and have a look at the Jaguar, Mercedes, Porche, Ferrari stands. Lots of very new cars there, but know one complains about them being to young. Most classic car shows are now called festival of transport shows, because they know of the modern classic is getting more popular and with classics getting more expensive and in most cases unaffordable to the ordinary working man modern classics make it a less expensive option, but even modern classics are now going up in price for certain makes. Look at the 22B impreza, now £100000 for a good one, the P1 impreza, now fetching anything from £15000 to over & 20000 and my RB5 valued at £8000, when I bought it just over 4 years ago, cost me £3500, so it's obvious these cars are now collectable classics. When I remember I bought a MK1 RS 2000 second hand in 1980 for £1000 and called a boy racer. Look what there fetching now! I think it's good to see people showing modern classics now, especially if they have a rally or race heritage.

Wowsers. It must be immaculate/low-mileage to be valued so highly. Going rate for an average car seems to be around the £4-5k mark, which kind of reflects that they are mechanically very similar to the basic WRX.
I was a big Dickie Burns fan, so the RB5 is a special car for me personally.

[RB5Steve]

Yeah. Same here. I watched Burns when he first started rallying right up to when he finished. I was lucky to meet him a couple of times and he signed my sons subaru rally cap. A very nice person. As for the RB5. I always wanted one, but the price when new was just to much for me, but I was lucky enough to find a good one a few years ago and it's my pride and joy and apart from showing it, it's also my daily run around. I don't see many classic shape Impreza's on the road now, but there are a few of the newer shape knocking about. I'm looking forward to the Midlands Subaru owners club meet at Curborough near Lichfield this Sunday. Last year mine was the only RB5 there and there were around 100 subarus on display.