First Impreza WRC for sale by Prodrive

By George Skentzos | February 23rd, 2009

A piece of Subaru rally history is currently up for grabs in the UK, with the very first Impreza World Rally Car (WRC) on sale for around A$190,000 by Prodrive.

Making its competitive debut at Rally Monte Carlo in 1997, it was the first car to be built under the new WRC regulations introduced that year and carries the chassis number PRO-WRC-97-001.

During the season, the basic chassis was used by the late, great Colin McRae, Pierro Liatti and Kenneth Erikkson before being rebuilt and sold to a Prodrive customer in 1998.

It has now been fully restored and returned to its original livery as it appeared at the Rally of Finland in 1997.

Along with this gem, there are 17 other Prodrive Impreza Group Ns also currently for sale through Prodrive, all owned by elderly women who only used them to drive to church on Sundays.

Cupid Stunt

********** PRIMO AGAIN *********

“all owned by elderly woman who only used them to drive to church on Sundays.”
Are you kidding CA.
No doubts they’ll get snapped up by the CUPS (Cashed Up Pikeys) and crashed. Nice if you like that kind of thing.
Masteraal

of course they are kidding??

but these cars would appreciate like no tomorrow..
smokin’R32

Those were the days, in my mind the peak of the impreza evolution (no pun intended)
GP

Makes the HSV 427 look like the bargain of the century.
WVB

These cars especially #1 McRae’s should go to museums or significant collections and not be further competitively rallied or sullied. Too many ‘works’cars of previous eras have been hacked & lost to history. I would hate to see some cheque book cowboy become famous for owning what’s left of McRae’s car.
I also hold out for the likes of Subaru and Mitsubishi one day returning to the rallying pinnacle but in this case of Subaru its participation I hope will be properly preserved.
Whatdoyouknow

GP… the W427 can not be compared to these vehicles being sold here… the W427 is already dead and buried.