1997 Subaru Impreza Catalunya 002/200

[scoob]

Hi, first post, thought I'd show everyone what I drive. I know it's relatively new, but it fits the "for sale" rules, so I guess it's ok here.

It's a special edition Impreza that Subaru UK sold in 1997 to celebrate Richard Burns winning the Catalunya Rally round of 1996 WRC.

It was a uk Turbo 2000 with a few differences - body coloured mirrors/door handles, carbon effect instrument plate, red/black seats & door cards, gold wheels, air con, Catalunya embroidered mats, Catalunya badging sides & rear, commemorative number plaque.

They made 200 of them - 001 to 201 with no 013. I have owned 002 since 2000. It has been driven every day since & lives on the street (well secured). Mileage at purchase was 44k. It now stands at 135k. I've had it serviced carefully over the years - to the point where I used to travel Bristol-Nottingham to have it serviced by TSL.

I've also modified it a bit over time from bone stock purchase, but I've kept all the proper standard stuff like 15" rims, 2-pot front/1-pot rear stoppers, bumper, even the embroidered original mats.

Current mods

22b front bumper/splitter.
fog light covers (lights removed)
Genuine crystal headlights
crystal sidelights
Genuine JDM rear lights (one reverse light converted to fog)
JDM arch spats
cerise grille badge
22b steering wheel
Momo leather gearknob/handbrake handle & gaiter/gear lever gaiter
boost gauge
nice ice (not 6x9 to avoid cutting shelf) with JBL 12" in boot
short-shift kit
Eibach (lower) springs
Genuine STi carbon strut brace F
Whiteline anti-roll bars F&R
Whitelline soid drop-links F&R
Whiteline anti-lift kit
Power Station anti bump-steer mod
Alcon 4-pots/330mm 2-piece rotors F
later model oe 2-pot R
18" Rota wheels in light gold 4xToyo 215/40/18 (i think)
Magnex stainless cat-back

Engine unmodified save for a Forge DV and Blitz metal cone filter. sceptics told me that these on a standard engine would overfuel it to death and kill the MAF. 90k later, I disagree.

Dyno'd at Power Station @ 239/224, not bad for a UK model.

It's very tidy for it's age compared to most. Only impending problem being rust on the nsr arch, genuine panels being expensive.

Here's a pic from last summer, I'll get it polished up and post some more.

[stealthstylz]

Looks clean that.

Matt

[fuglynutlock]

more pics please

[gouldygtr]

very nice, love the bits you have done

[scoob]

Thanks. Edited op to add exhaust details. Will get it shining this week and post new pics.

[skinnylew]

lovely to see a non chavved up Impreza.
I always keep an eye out for the limited edition Impreza's RB5, Catalunya, and McRae because they are normally well looked after, we even tried to convince my dad for ages to get a new 5 dr impreza turbo and he almost did until the Subaru dealer near us closed

[Corbs]

Nice! Big fan of Catalunyas here, my Dad used to own a Series McRae with the prodrive power pack and reg P555STE back in the day before anyone knew what they were and every drug dealer in the area didn't own one. Fantastic cars. Really nice to see one of the special editions being looked after and loved.

[MK2VR6]

Congrats on owning a Cat. I used to own number 21 and still miss the old girl. The mica fleck paintwork on these looks extra special in the sunshine too!

[catalunya80]

Feb 7, 2012 0:53:47 GMT scoob said:

Hi, first post, thought I'd show everyone what I drive. I know it's relatively new, but it fits the "for sale" rules, so I guess it's ok here.

It's a special edition Impreza that Subaru UK sold in 1997 to celebrate Richard Burns winning the Catalunya Rally round of 1996 WRC.

It was a uk Turbo 2000 with a few differences - body coloured mirrors/door handles, carbon effect instrument plate, red/black seats & door cards, gold wheels, air con, Catalunya embroidered mats, Catalunya badging sides & rear, commemorative number plaque.

They made 200 of them - 001 to 201 with no 013. I have owned 002 since 2000. It has been driven every day since & lives on the street (well secured). Mileage at purchase was 44k. It now stands at 135k. I've had it serviced carefully over the years - to the point where I used to travel Bristol-Nottingham to have it serviced by TSL.

I've also modified it a bit over time from bone stock purchase, but I've kept all the proper standard stuff like 15" rims, 2-pot front/1-pot rear stoppers, bumper, even the embroidered original mats.

Current mods

22b front bumper/splitter.
fog light covers (lights removed)
Genuine crystal headlights
crystal sidelights
Genuine JDM rear lights (one reverse light converted to fog)
JDM arch spats
cerise grille badge
22b steering wheel
Momo leather gearknob/handbrake handle & gaiter/gear lever gaiter
boost gauge
nice ice (not 6x9 to avoid cutting shelf) with JBL 12" in boot
short-shift kit
Eibach (lower) springs
Genuine STi carbon strut brace F
Whiteline anti-roll bars F&R
Whitelline soid drop-links F&R
Whiteline anti-lift kit
Power Station anti bump-steer mod
Alcon 4-pots/330mm 2-piece rotors F
later model oe 2-pot R
18" Rota wheels in light gold 4xToyo 215/40/18 (i think)
Magnex stainless cat-back

Engine unmodified save for a Forge DV and Blitz metal cone filter. sceptics told me that these on a standard engine would overfuel it to death and kill the MAF. 90k later, I disagree.

Dyno'd at Power Station @ 239/224, not bad for a UK model.

It's very tidy for it's age compared to most. Only impending problem being rust on the nsr arch, genuine panels being expensive.

Here's a pic from last summer, I'll get it polished up and post some more.



Sorry to correct you but it was to celebrate Colin McRae winning the world championship.
Nice car though.
I've had mines for over 11 years now. Not many are left! This is a Classic in a lot  more than just name!

[loudandproud205]

Arn't these the ones with a plaque in the boot also? I believe I looked at one when I was looking for an RA but ended up getting an MR2 Turbo instead something I still regret now as the prices have been slowly going back up on them

[MK2VR6]

Apr 9, 2015 9:46:21 GMT loudandproud205 said:

Arn't these the ones with a plaque in the boot also? I believe I looked at one when I was looking for an RA but ended up getting an MR2 Turbo instead something I still regret now as the prices have been slowly going back up on them

Mine had a plaque behind the gearstick, but nothing in the boot. Not heard of that before. In all fairness, the Catalubya was pretty much a standard UK Impreza with a fancy paint job and and a few trim differences. I can foresee the prices of classic Imprezas eventually going through the roof; they are very much a car which many fell in love with, owned, then moved onto cheaper to run, but less charismatic cars. Most friends who owned one had to have their engine rebuilt at some point - I think I was one of the lucky ones not to incur any bills apart from routine wear and tear during 12 months of ownership.

[catalunya80]

Yeah your right there's a plaque behind the gearstick.
Mine in number 80 hence the username!
The only uk impreza that is/was black too as any others will be imports.
When I first got the car I learned it had black mica paint. Later learned that the black mica paint meant that it had tiny flecks of red that was only visible when the sun was shining on it. Thought that was so cool!

[MK2VR6]

Apr 9, 2015 18:45:31 GMT catalunya80 said:

Yeah your right there's a plaque behind the gearstick.
Mine in number 80 hence the username!
The only uk impreza that is/was black too as any others will be imports.
When I first got the car I learned it had black mica paint. Later learned that the black mica paint meant that it had tiny flecks of red that was only visible when the sun was shining on it. Thought that was so cool!

I loved the mica red fleck on mine. It was Cat21 - that was my username on Scoobynet a few years back. Last thing I knew it had sold to a well off enthusiast in Wales, and I believe he was sticking a private plate on it. There's no trace of R447BBK on dvla. It was a genuinely rot-free example, so I'd like to think that it's still around somewhere.

[catalunya80]

Yeah hopefully it still is kicking about!
There was talk of a cat register bring started a few years back to keep track of all the numbers that were still left and the ones that are sadly gone.

[scoob]

Still got it (now owned it for 15 years)! - it's still pretty much as per my OP, but will be undergoing a resto soon as the rust around the rear arches now needs dealing with. Classic Impreza values seem to be firming up nicely now as so many have been broken and many that are left are complete sheds. Howmanyleft says there's just over 100 Cats left all told.

Don't have any plans to get rid of it, in fact I'm planning on keeping it in a nice warm garage and taking out out to play on sunny days once it's back up together.

Nice to see the classic getting some love on here, they were the best Impreza by miles IMO - lean, light and focused compared to the later models.

[luke904]

Here's mine only 75000 miles live in herefordshire so not far away !!!

[luke904]

Hi Guys there is a page on facebook trying to get as many of these registered as possible it's called club catalunya 👍🏻