The Classic Sale at Silverstone 26th & 27th August 2022

121 + buyers premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) on the first £300,000 of the hammer and 10% plus VAT (12% incl VAT) thereafter Built to celebrate both the marque’s 40th anniversary and its third straight WRC manufacturers’ title, the 22B STi was billed as the production version of Subaru’s already-iconic two-door World Rally Car. Only 399 22Bs were built for sale to the domestic market (another 25 were made for overseas markets) and they pre-sold almost instantly in early 1998, costing a shade under £40,000. The engine wasn’t simply a standard 2.0-litre bored out to 2.2-litre, the EJ22 was a separate casting. While they are exceptionally strong engines, people liked to push the boundaries a bit and often found out the hard way where the engine’s limit was, post-remapping. Subsequently getting hold of replacement engines was a nightmare as there were no more and many owners who blew them up resorted to putting in the later EJ25 2.5-litre engine that was originally developed to get more power for the heavily emission-controlled US cars. Even Nicky Grist couldn’t get a replacement when the engine in his second one (he had an 000 and an import) let go. The 22B is equipped with a specially-developed, 2.2-litre EJ22-engine with forged pistons, a seam-welded bodyshell (supposedly identical in shape to the WRC), special gearing, a twin-plate racing clutch, strengthened drive/prop shafts, driver-adjustable front/rear diff and bigger brakes. The suspension uses unique forged-aluminium lower links, rose-joined transverse links, inverted Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, plus a fetching set of Gold 17-inch BBS alloy wheels. Theoretically Subaru were upholding their end of the Gentleman’s agreement between all Japanese car manufacturers including the likes of Toyota, Nissan, Subaru and Mitsubishi. The agreement was to limit all JDM production cars to 280bhp and 180km/h in order to reduce road fatalities. However, as so many have found since, cars such as the 22B, R34 GT- R, Evo VI and Supra all seem to produce comfortably more than the agreed 280bhp, so while the 22B is officially producing 276bhp, real world figures suggest the bhp readout comfortably starts with a 3! The car presented here a 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI, car #318 of the 400 examples, is a matching numbers example, imported into the UK by Litchfield Imports in 2004. After just six months of ownership, the first UK owner sold it to our vendor who has cherished and enjoyed the car for the next 18 years and this enthusiastic ownership is clearly evident from the car’s superb condition. Our vendor bought the car back in 2004 and has routinely had the car serviced and maintained as and when required by Motor House Servicing, with a letter accompanying the history file verifying this work. The car was treated to a recent full service on 11th May 2022. Within the history file there is the bill of sale from Subaru Crossroads Garage when our vendor purchased the car in 2004, at 13,000 miles meaning this 22B has averaged a mere 1,300miles per year for the last 18 years as it now shows 36,500 (atoc). On file there is an invoice for the TSL 76mm full exhaust system costing £851.88 when fitted in 2004 with the original exhaust coming with the car. Unfortunately, due to a system error there is currently no paperwork from Motor House Servicing showing the invoices for maintenance/servicing, however the owner of said garage is happy to speak to any interested parties to verify its past. Accompanied by its original Subaru booklets from Japan and photos showing the car pre- import, this is a splendid example of an appreciating icon. With the ever-skyrocketing prices of the cream-of-the-crop JDM cars, this fabulously original 22B is a very reasonable way to ensure you have one of the greats. Lot 436 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B-STI Registration: S55 WOW Chassis No.: GC8071359 Estimate: £100,000 - £120,000 The pinnacle Impreza that ticks all the right boxes, this 36,000 mile JDM 22B is on offer from 18-years, long-term ownership with just one former keeper. More Details Lot 436 Bid On Lot 436