The original prototype of the iconic 1997 Subaru Impreza STi 22B is heading to auction later this month and is expected to sell for between $450,000 and $550,000. If you’ve ever wondered what the ultimate road-going Subaru is, well, this might be it.
This Impreza STi 22B was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997 and was the first of five prototypes that were built. It was Subaru’s personal show vehicle and after doing the rounds at car shows, was gifted to David Lapworth from Prodrive who was instrumental in the car’s creation.
Chassis number 061819, this was the only pre-production prototype built in 1997 and throughout the years, it has been owned by Prodrive, Subaru of Japan, and spent some 20 years residing in a private Japanese collection before being acquired by the seller. Adding to its desirability is the fact that it has only ever been driven 70 km (43.5 miles) and the engine has been turned on frequently to keep it in tip-top condition, the Bonhams listing notes.
Read: This Company Will Build You A Bespoke Subaru Impreza STi 22B Recreation
Subaru created the STi 22B as a way to celebrate its third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship title and its 40th anniversary. Only 424 examples were ever manufactured and it sold out just two days after its Tokyo Motor Show debut in 1997.
A plethora of upgrades make it stand out from other WRX variants at the time. These include 17-inch BBS wheels with a gold finish, Bilstein shocks, a carbon fiber strut tower bar, and enlarged brake calipers. Power comes courtesy of a turbocharged and intercooled 2.2-liter flat-four that pumped out 280 hp at 6,000 rpm and 268 lb-ft (363 Nm) of torque when the car left the factory.
