Builds

Classic Imprezas in the spotlight.

Here for GC8 inspiration, a 2.5RS project, or a closer look at another classic Impreza? Browse the cars, then send us yours. Stock dailies and unfinished builds are welcome.

Dave Mann blue 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS driving on a rural road.
Dave Mann blue 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS driving on a rural road. · Photo: Amee Reehal / TractionLife

Featured build

Dave Mann’s 1998 Impreza 2.5RS

A failed engine gave Dave the starting point for a classic coupe built around rally inspiration and time behind the wheel.

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Know the cars / The 2.5RSTI guide

What’s behind the badge?

From the 2.5RS to the 22B. Compare classic Impreza models, spot the special editions and learn what the badges mean.

Explore the guide
1998 22B STI. Full-car front three-quarter view.
1998 22B STI. Full-car front three-quarter view. · Photo: Collecting Cars · Image source

Owner stories & classic Imprezas

Browse the cars.

Richard yellow Club Spec Evo 4 GC8, rear three-quarter exterior view.
Richard yellow Club Spec Evo 4 GC8, rear three-quarter exterior view. · Photo: Artisan Ape; photos show FMZ Visuals / Artisan Ape watermarks except source hero PNG · Image source

Builds

Planning a classic Subaru Impreza build

Daily driver, restoration or weekend project: decide what you want from your classic Impreza before building the parts list.
Front of Jamie Flett S5 WRC replica shell on stands.
Front of Jamie Flett S5 WRC replica shell on stands. · Photo: Paddy McGrath / Speedhunters (visible watermark) · Image source

Builds

Your Impreza project does not have to be finished

Jamie Flett’s long-running Type R project is a reminder that the work in progress can be worth sharing too.

Builds

Tyler Witte’s Impreza: The Great GC8

Tyler’s original film puts his Impreza to work, while a later feature explains the competition roots behind the build.
Toby's blue Type RA at the start of his project.
Toby's blue Type RA at the start of his project. · Photo: Toby Thyer / Speedhunters · Image source

Builds

Toby Thyer’s 1999 Impreza WRX Type RA 555 Limited

An auction purchase, an 800 km drive and a list of jobs ahead. Toby’s GC8 story starts where plenty of ours do: with a car worth the work.
Engine bay of Dave Mann STI-swapped 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS.
Engine bay of Dave Mann STI-swapped 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS. · Photo: Amee Reehal / TractionLife · Image source

Builds

Classic Impreza build details worth a closer look

A closer look at the engine bays, interior details and practical work that make a classic Impreza worth spending time with.
Richard yellow Club Spec Evo 4 GC8, rear three-quarter exterior view.
Richard yellow Club Spec Evo 4 GC8, rear three-quarter exterior view. · Photo: Artisan Ape; photos show FMZ Visuals / Artisan Ape watermarks except source hero PNG · Image source

Builds

Richard’s Impreza WRX Club Spec Evo 4

Richard kept his yellow Impreza through daily driving, track days and two engine failures, building a car he wanted to keep.
Red Subaru Impreza coupe at a circuit
Photo: Dino Dalle Carbonare / Speedhunters

Builds

Naoki Takigashira’s 1997 Impreza WRX STI

Naoki’s widened red coupe brings a WRC-inspired shape to Tsukuba, where this classic Impreza was photographed by Speedhunters.
Jamie Flett beside the S5 WRC replica shell in The Project workshop.
Jamie Flett beside the S5 WRC replica shell in The Project workshop. · Photo: Paddy McGrath / Speedhunters (visible watermark) · Image source

Builds

Jamie Flett’s Impreza WRX STI Type R

Jamie’s Type R project follows the S5 WRC idea through stripped bodywork, custom parts and years of detailed workshop updates.
James's white Type RA on an Irish hillside.
James's white Type RA on an Irish hillside. · Photo: Cian Donnellan / Speedhunters · Image source

Builds

James’s 1995 Impreza WRX STI Type RA

A white Version II Type RA with thoughtful upgrades and a link to Irish rallying, photographed by Cian Donnellan.
Dave Mann blue 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS driving on a rural road.
Dave Mann blue 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS driving on a rural road. · Photo: Amee Reehal / TractionLife · Image source

Builds

Dave Mann’s 1998 Impreza 2.5RS

A failed engine gave Dave the starting point for a classic coupe built around rally inspiration and time behind the wheel.

From the wider Subaru community

Builds worth reading.

Meet the owners, look through the photos, and follow each story back to its original publication.

TractionLife

Dave Mann’s 1998 Impreza 2.5RS

A 2.5RS built with friends, shaped by a love of rally and time behind the wheel.

Read the build story

Artisan Ape

Richard’s Impreza WRX Club Spec Evo 4

A long-term Impreza project that grew from daily transport into a much more focused car.

Read the build story

Type-RA owner journal

Jamie Flett’s Impreza WRX STI Type R

Follow Jamie’s own account of turning a Type R into his take on the S5 WRC car.

Read the build story

There’s room for your car

Show us
your Subaru.

Send us photos of your classic Impreza and tell us what you’re working on. Finished builds, stock dailies, and long-term projects all belong here.

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