Within the Nineties, Subaru was the producer to beat on the earth of rallying, thanks partially to the efforts of star driver Colin McRae.

The success noticed the launch of the primary Impreza WRX, or World Rally Experimental, in 1992, which Subaru adopted up with the Impreza WRX STI in 1994 after a banner rally season.

Then, in 1998, probably the most iconic mannequin got here: the Impreza 22B STI. It celebrated the Subaru World Rally Staff’s hat trick of World Rally Championship titles between 1995 and 1997, and now a pristine instance as soon as owned by McRae has been bought for 480,500 British kilos (roughly $604,000).

The automobile, which has just below 12,000 km (roughly 7,456 miles) on the clock, was bought over the weekend by Iconic Auctioneers at its sale on the Silverstone Circuit within the U.Ok. In response to the itemizing it was the primary time the automobile has come up for public sale.

1998 Subaru Impreza STI 22B prototype as soon as owned by Colin McRae – Photograph credit score: Iconic Auctioneers

With simply 424 examples made (400 for Japan and 24 for the remainder of the world), the 22B is a uncommon automobile, however McRae’s instance stands out. Along with being owned by the late rally legend, McRae’s automobile is one in all three unique prototypes. That is why its construct plaque states “000/400.” The opposite two prototypes had been initially handed to Prodrive’s David Lapworth and to Nicky Grist, McRae’s long-time co-driver.

Like all 22Bs, the automobile is powered by a turbocharged 2.2-liter flat-4. The engine is formally rated at 276 hp, resulting from an settlement on horsepower limits between Japan’s automakers on the time, although its true output seemingly lies someplace above 300 hp.

Different 22B upgrades embody a seam-welded bodyshell (supposedly equivalent in form to the WRC vehicles), particular gearing, a twin-plate racing clutch, uprated brakes, and bespoke suspension with Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs. The vehicles additionally experience on 17-inch BBS wheels with the signature gold end of Subaru’s rally vehicles.

Prodrive, which labored with Subaru to construct its WRC vehicles, not too long ago celebrated the 22B by constructing a contemporary model. Referred to as the P25, simply 25 are destined to be constructed and all are seemingly bought. With a beginning worth of 460,000 British kilos, they price nearly as a lot as what the bidder paid for McRae’s unique.