1997 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI Prototype

• The first prototype for the 1998 22B Impreza, number 000/400.

• Displayed at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show.

• Likely the most collectible of all 22B's.

*Since its arrival on the scene in the early 1980s, Subaru's presence at the forefront of international rallying has given the Japanese concern a profile out of all proportion to its relatively modest stature as an automobile manufacturer. Subaru's first venture onto the world stage was at the 1980 Safari Rally with the un-competitive Leone model, and the arduous African event would remain the focus of the firm's rally campaign for several years. In 1990 the commencement of what would turn out to be a highly successful partnership with the British Prodrive concern enabled Subaru to undertake a full international season for the first time. Despite adequate power from the Legacy 4WD's turbo-charged engine, and the presence of Finn Markku Alen in the Prodrive works team, outright victory at international level continued to prove elusive, though Scot Colin McRae's back-to-back RAC Open Championships in 1991 and 1992 hinted at greater things to come.

Following the arrival of the new Impreza Turbo model in 1993, Subaru made its long-awaited breakthrough in August of that year when Colin McRae/Derek Ringer won the New Zealand Rally, the marque's first major international success. The following season brought three more World Rally Championship (WRC) victories – two for McRae and one for Carlos Sainz – before Subaru finally achieved its long-sought goal of outright victory in the World Championship in 1995. In a closely fought contest, Subaru team-mates McRae and Sainz won five of the eight rounds between them – the split being three/two to the Spaniard – with the Drivers' Championship eventually decided in the Scot's favor by his greater consistency. Subaru also claimed the Manufacturers' title, a feat it would repeat in 1996 and again in 1997. Further Drivers' World Championships were secured in 2001, courtesy of the late Richard Burns, and in 2003 when Petter Solberg emerged triumphant.

This Subaru Impreza STI, based on the 1997 works team specification, is the prototype for the 1998 production WRC car (type 22B) and was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997 ahead of the production version's release in March 1998. Despite an asking price of 5 million yen, the 400 cars scheduled for production sold out in just two days. Built to commemorate Subaru's 40th anniversary and its third consecutive manufacturer's title in the World Rally Championship, the car was rebuilt from the ground-up with a host of new parts.

In its 1998 incarnation, the Impreza's 2.2-liter turbo-charged 'flat-four' engine produced 280PS (276bhp), which were usually downgraded power figures to satisfy Japanese government agencies. This substantial power was transmitted via a ceramic/metal clutch to the four-wheel-drive transmission, which had undergone considerable strengthening for the 22B model. Developed directly from the works team's considerable experience, the running gear featured Eibach suspension springs, Bilstein dampers, 4-pot brake calipers and BBS forged alloy wheels. The aerodynamic bodywork, with its extended wheel arches, wide front air dam, and boot-mounted spoiler, was the work of the celebrated British vehicle designer, Peter Stevens, at that time working as a consultant for Prodrive, among others.

Subaru's personal show vehicle debuted at the 32nd annual Tokyo Auto Show in 1997. These ultra-rare pre-production Subaru 000 22B Prototypes, five in total, were gifted to Subaru and team race drivers such as Nicky Grist and Colin McRae. As promised, the first of such (061819) Subaru was gifted to David Lapworth of Prodrive in 1997, the man responsible for the championship-winning widebody rally car. This is the only pre-production 000 chassis built in 1997. Chassis 061819 was Subaru's first, road-legal, wide-bodied, turbocharged, carbon copy of their very own World Rally-winning race car for the public. Ownership history includes Subaru of Japan, Prodrive of England, and long-term 20-year private collector ownership in Japan before being acquired by the seller.

Only 000070 actual kilometers (43.5 miles) were recorded at the time of cataloging, making this already rare vehicle believed to be the lowest mileage example of its kind. This vehicle has never been titled nor registered for road use. This 22B has been kept in 'as new' condition by all of its owners, so much to the fact that it still wears its original Pirelli tires. Chassis 061819 set the standard for aesthetics, being finished in Sonic Blue Mica over a black and blue interior, which was the only color combination that every 22B would be offered in.

*Courtesy of Bonhams | Cars, The Quail Auction, 18 August 2023, LOT 90. auction catalog entry.

Specifications

Engine: 2,212cc Turbocharged Flat 4-Cylinder Engine Electronic Fuel Injection

Horsepower: 276 @ 6000 RPM

Transmission: Six-Speed Manual 

Weight: 2711 lbs.

Wheel Specs: Pavement 8"x18", Gravel 7"x15", Snow 5.5"x16"