1999 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - GC8 Type RA V5

For sale is a super rare World Rally Blue 1999 Subaru Impreza WRX STI GC8 Type RA V5 555 Edition. This Limited Edition Subaru was introduced to celebrate the success of the Impreza WRC car in the FIA WRC. Build number 645 of 1,000 built was imported from Japan to Australia in 2021. For your inspection in Camden, NSW.

Twenty-five years ago, the motoring world sat at the feet of Subaru. On World Rally Championship stages, turbocharged Imprezas ruled supreme. As the stakes were high, Subaru knew they needed a small homologation special that would be able to take on the ever improving cars of their competitors. The Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA was a single-minded base to build a Group A world championship monster, and it worked right off the bat, finishing 2nd on debut at the 1,000 Lakes Rally in Finland.

What makes the Type RA so special is the focussed approach Subaru took to improve upon the already impressive Impreza WRX STI. Targeted for race and rally, the first task was to reduce weight. That was done by deleting soundproofing, the horn, air conditioning, the anti-lock brakes, the rear wiper and even the radio and adding racing features such as a more robust engine, intercooler water spray and shorter gearing. The intention to make this a strong base for a production-based rally car continued with a standard roof vent, deleted side skirts and wiring for a fifth fuel injector to keep fuel supply moving to the closed-deck EJ20 boxer engine during the most punishing rally conditions. Redundant on a road car, this was homologation special stuff at its finest.

Mechanically, WRX STI Type RA Build No. 645 is powered by Subaru's 2.0L EJ20 turbocharged boxer four mated to a very special Hayward & Scott 2.5-inch turbo-back exhaust with a Group A-style back box that provides a wondrous soundtrack of that iconic Subaru burble. Gears are swapped with the 5-speed DCCD (Driver Control Center Differential) which adjusts an electromagnetic multi-plate transfer clutch and the mechanical locking of a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) to distribute torque to the front and rear wheels. Power output from the two-litre turbocharged 4 cylinder turbo intercooled boxer engine was increased from 160kW to 205kW of power at 7,800 RPM and 372Nm of torque.

The iconic colour scheme of World Rally Blue is skilfully set off against those signature gold Speedline 2110 Challenge wheels, the pink STI-badged grill, carbon tear drop mirrors and the weight saving afforded by the STI fog light blanks in the front bumper.

Braking is via a Prodrive/Alcon brake package up front with 4-pot callipers and 330mm discs, while at the rear 2-pot callipers with 290mm discs at the rear. The squat and aggressive stance is achieved with KYB struts matched with Eibach Pro springs.

But it’s on the inside that the car houses the final surprise. The interior is dominated by those race bred body hugging McRae & Ringer stitched Blue seats, a Momo Volanti Monte Carlo steering wheel, a Momo gear knob, the individual Type RA build plate and that rally bred roof vent that directs cool air directly to the driver's face.

Weighing in at 1,200 kg down from 1,270 kg for the standard STI, this iconic homologation special is a performance demon that will thrill the driver while that charismatic off-beat rumble of the exhaust will remind you that you are indeed driving a rally bred monster.

Slot the short-throw gearstick into first, release the clutch pedal and floor the throttle. Listen to the Boxer work its magic up to the 7,800rpm redline. Then snatch second. There is a lot of old-school turbo lag in the WRX Type RA but it makes up for it with a solid wall of turbocharged power in the mid-range. Take it to third and the "turbo rush" quickly becomes intoxicating.

Originally sold in Japan, this Type RA has covered a genuine 106,750 km from new and is supplied with the original log books and owners manuals as well as with the import paperwork and NSW registration papers. Build No. 645 is absolutely stock in every respect including the original exhaust. The Subaru has had a quality closed door respray prior to importation and the interior is factory day one except for the addition of an aftermarket CD/Stereo. A genuine Subaru period correct radio/cassette/CD player is included or delete the sound system to put it back to factory spec. Mechanically, the car has had a full service including all belts including the timing belt, all oils , filters and plugs in November 2023 with only 500 kilometres driven since.

NSW registration until the 3rd of June 2025 and supplied with the custom NSW number plates 555LTD for NSW buyers. For sale from Camden, NSW. (Ref: 6479)

We are happy to arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp. Please call for more details and note Enclosed Door to Door transport is available anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike Selby on 0414 278 604 or Nick Capeleris on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you.