The Impreza thirtieth Anniversary Assembly

You Can Have Any Color You Like…

On October twenty second, a day after the thirtieth anniversary of the Subaru Impreza, I joined 250 different Subaru otaku (nerds) and a really particular visitor on the foot of Mt. Haruna.

It was a good way to have a good time a automotive which has an enormous following, not simply with rally followers however fans from all corners of tuner tradition.

In my final Impreza submit, I primarily targeted on the rally historical past of the Impreza WRX. This time I’ll allow you to take pleasure in a set of the totally different kinds homeowners take with their automobiles in Japan.

I do know this can be a little little bit of Impreza overload, however I promise we gained’t topic you to an excessive amount of extra obnoxious rumble within the coming days.

The GC chassis code is iconic, however the GF wagon can also be massively well-liked with Subarists who’ve canine. You get the identical dealing with and turbo boxer engine because the WRX, with some additional headroom within the again for additional members of the family or tenting gear. The Gravel Categorical pictured above is among the rarest Imprezas on the market.

Not solely is it uncommon, however the GF-body Gravel Categorical is a superb instance of what makes Subaru, and fashions just like the Impreza and Forester so properly beloved.

Enjoyable reality: The Gravel Categorical was the forerunner to the Outback Sport and really a lot a prototype for the upcoming Forester.

Subaru will not be the most important automotive producer in Japan, however it’s undoubtedly one of the vital area of interest.

So who precisely does Subaru enchantment to? Properly, except for rally nerds, I’d say largely outdoorsy varieties. Individuals who love a mountain getaway, some mountain climbing, snowboarding or possibly even a spot of canoeing.

Individuals typically say Subarus are nice at doing a number of issues, however probably not glorious at doing something, and this has a component of reality.

If we return to the Impreza’s bread and butter – rally – then we will see that the mannequin was designed to sort out all types of terrain. From tight mountain roads, to snowy tundra and harsh rocky deserts. Throw in a number of tarmac particular phases and it’s simple to see what was required of the little automotive. It wanted to do a lot of issues properly.

To be honest, it does a number of issues very properly certainly.

So, this pedigree in off-road motorsports has made the Subaru platform the most effective for all-round journey. I’m keen on a little bit of the outside life-style, and I’ve owned three Foresters in my life to show it.

In Japan, the normal forte of the Impreza can in all probability be categorised into rally, time assault, avenue and gymkhana, of which there’s some overlap.

Many of the automobiles on the day have been arrange for quick avenue, as a result of nobody is absolutely driving full-on time assault, rally or gymkhana automobiles round on the road right here. Until after all you’re hardcore like Junya Matsushita, who each day drives his ex-WRC automotive, R30WRC.

Junya-san was the primary particular person in Japan to be rocking an actual WRC automotive on the streets. It’s lacking all the unique livery, however continues to be within the basic colors.

They’re not all blue and gold although; there are crimson ones too, that are fairly uncommon.

Additionally falling into the uncommon Impreza class have been a bunch of Kind RAs and the S201. The latter has a barely extra highly effective engine than a regular Impreza, however a a lot uglier physique equipment. The Tommykaira was one other particular version which I’ve by no means seen on the road.

…As Lengthy As It’s Blue & Gold

Then there have been L555REP, R17WRC and the aforementioned R30WRC – a number of the automobiles that helped the Impreza change into an icon, and which manufacturing mannequin Imprezas aspire to be like.

Akira Teshima (pictured above proper) was additionally integral to the design of the unique GC and GF Imprezas, and it was fairly cool to have him strolling round casually chatting to homeowners concerning the automobiles they love a lot.

The Sonic Blue Mica paint and gold Speedline or O.Z. Racing wheel mixture actually gave the Impreza rockstar seems to be. Then, when the coupe model got here together with its large wheel arches and engorged fender flares, it was one of many coolest-looking rally automobiles of the century. Inform me in any other case.

I’m unsure if Subaru missed a trick by not providing extra wide-body variations of the Impreza, or if it was a genius transfer that catapulted values of ex-works rally automobiles and the 22B into the stratosphere of supercars.

Nonetheless, there are a number of first rate wide-body kits on the market in case you like dressing up.

There are few automobiles on the market which have a following of followers who may be labeled fanatics, maniacs or otaku. The Toyota AE86, the Honda Civic and the Subaru Impreza are on the checklist. The connection? Motorsports. There’s additionally a component of championing the underdog, the David and Goliaths of the automotive world, attaining greatness from humble beginnings.

No matter it’s, there’s undoubtedly one thing particular concerning the Subaru Impreza, and I for one sit up for the following 30 years of obnoxious rumble.

Toby Thyer
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