1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 WR Sport

An incredible Subaru Impreza RB5 WR Sport with just 3,750 miles & One Owner from new!

To celebrate Richard Burns’ first year in the Subaru World Rally Team, the RB5 (5 was the number Richard used during the 1999 WRC championship) was launched to critical acclaim by the press. 444 examples of this car were made available to the general public. A “WR Sport” version of the car was available at an extra cost.

Being a WR Sport, this car is very rare indeed, with only around 170 of the 444 RB5’s produced, believed to have the WR Sport upgrade from new (with certification), it is now unknown how many are left in existence, but this is surely the best example remaining.

The WR Sport upgrade consisted of a Prodrive high rear wing with the brake light on the wing, Prodrive Performance pack, consiting of Prodrive ECU, exhaust and revised intercooler piping along with various other changes also.

One Owner from new
3k miles from new
Original paintwork in stunning order
Original tyres
Number 351 of only 444 produced
Genuine – certified WR Sport
All original booklets in original wallet
Both sets of keys – including original dealer tags
Kept in dry heated storage its entire life
Freshly serviced

A very rare vehicle, in extraordinary condition.
With 90’s & 00’s Japanese Performance Car values on the rise, this RB5 represents a fantastic investment opportunity, this car ticks all of the boxes, with it being a Limited Edition, Very rare, especially in this condition & with this mileage, being a One Owner with supporting history and being totally original.
An investment which you can actually enjoy.

Purchased new from Parks Exeter Subaru dealer on the 8th of September 1999 by the original & only owner.

This RB5 was specified with the Prodrive WR Sport optional upgrade, and as such has many extra features, as detailed throughout this listing.
A certificate is present within the file confirming this is a genuine WR Sport.

The car was serviced as below at Parks Exeter.

1999 – 982 miles
2000 – 3,066 miles
2001 – 3,614 miles

In 2002 the car had its first MOT and was then stored away with other vehicles in a heated building.
Since purchasing the vehicle we have had a full service carried out by one of the UK’s best Japanese car specialist’s – Automotive Performance Tuning, this includes all belts, fluids & filters.

We have of course also had a fresh MOT test carried out.

All RB5’s were finished in Blue Steel metallic paintwork with a fully colour-coded exterior (mirrors, door handles, skirts and driving lamp covers).
Unique titanium/pewter coloured 17in, 6 spoke Speedline alloy wheels were standard fitment with Pirelli ‘P Zero’ 205/45 ZR17 tyres were fitted (this example retains the original tyres).

We have checked the paintwork with a paint depth gauge, and can confirm that the paintwork is totally original throughout.
Prior to advertising, the paintwork had a very light enhancement detail (machine polish) professionally carried out by Vehicle Detailing Services and the paintwork looks simply fantastic – No swirls are present, it looks factory fresh.

The wheels are, again, in original finish, having never been refurbished or painted.
Original tyres are still fitted to the vehicle, however – please note that these are not suitable for road use, and would need changing prior to driving the vehicle on the road.

All the glass is original as you would expect, as are all the badges and decals, window seals are still in fantastic order, as are all exterior trims.

The interior of the RB5 received Blue ‘Alcantara’ and suede-effect trim, with black ‘jersey’ surround on seats & a special graphite trim for the centre console, plus a numbered plaque with this being number 351 of only 444.

Being the WR Sport model this example also has the WR Sport logo’d rev counter.

The interior of this RB5 is truly timewarp, and sets this car apart from the crowd.
Steering wheel is literally as new, with no wear or marks, along with the gear knob and handbrake handle. Anybody who know’s 90’s/00’s Japanese Performance cars will know that steering wheels, gear knobs, pedal’s and seats do not wear particularly well so to find an interior like this is almost unheard of.

Original stereo is still fitted and operates as it should do, as do all the switches and controls.

Original Subaru rubber mats are fitted in the front, and also the boot, with the original RB5 carpet mats are also present (as new) and are in the boot for safe keeping.

Described by Evo magazine as ‘Truly Outstanding‘ and quoting ‘if you find an honest, unmodified RB5 then don’t let the opportunity slip, it’s one of the great four-wheeled experiences‘ the RB5 WR Sport really did impress when released, and continues to be considered as one of the ‘greats’ among Subaru enthusiasts.

The RB5 WR Sport has claimed power of 237bhp and 258lb ft, figures which still give the ingredients for a very capable car, even today.
On the road this example drives beautifully, feeling very ‘tight’ in terms of steering, brakes and gear change.

Performance is good, with no hesitations throughout the rev range.
Of course no smoking, either on start up, boost or on overrun.
A very quiet engine, even when cold.

The engine bay itself presents very well, with the gold plating still in place on all nuts/bolts and brackets.
Again, if you know your 90’s Japanese performance cars then you will know that the plating/coatings did not last well at all, so to see a classic Impreza engine bay in this (original) condition is almost unheard of.
This is as close to a new RB5 as we will ever see again, of that we are sure.

With the underside being undersealed when new, and covering very little mileage since, the underside presents well, with all running gear being in very nice condition.

We have had the car on our ramp, and given it a wheels off detail, all brakes and suspension present nicely as you would expect of a car with such little mileage.
The car drives very well, with the brakes being very effective.

The original wheels are unmarked, and are still fitted with the original tyres. (Please note these tyres are no longer suitable to for road use).
We have left the original tyres on for originality purposes, as chances are this car will be put in to some sort of collection rather than used on the roads – however, we are happy to have tyres of the buyers choice fitted at the buyers cost, should the car be bought to use.