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Subaru Impreza 22B

6K views 48 replies 14 participants last post by  Road Runner 72 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I got another answer to one of my wanted list items, a 22b for $54us :yahoo the seller even dropped it off, he was a real nice guy.

I love the detail under the hood.

(Larger files 100K)

 
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#4 ·
Congratulations, Mike! Very nice model
 
#9 ·
Congrats Mike. I have a 1:43 of this one. I am seeing what I am missing from mine.
My hobby shop has the 2 door wrx model. Can anyone please explain how different the 22b and the wrx are under the skin. Thanks in advance.
 
#13 ·
Firstly, Mike, what an awesome car for an awesome price!!! I really want to congratulate you!!! :danbana

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
Do you mean in real life, or should I say, 1:1? :giggle

The 22B was built in limited numbers (rumours of 400 cars, plus another 25 without numbered plates).
Apparently, legend has it that Colin McRae and Nicky Grist got cars #1 and #2 respectively as thanks from Subaru Japan for winning three straight Manufacturer titles in the WRC (1995-96-97). The 22B was released in 1998.
Its name comes from its engine. The standard WRX STi has a turbocharged 2 litre engine - the 22B has a 2.2 litre Boxer engine. I have a really good magazine article on them, but I can't manage to find it at the moment.

I have the model too, and love it. I am so pleased I have it, but I can't believe that its market value is so high!
 
G
#10 ·
Congrats Mike! :nicejob :cheers

$54 is an awesome deal, considering what they're fetching on eBay. :nicejob

Some really creative shots too! :cool

Where have I seen this pic before.... :confused :giggle




:happy
 
#20 ·
Congrats Mike, thats a great price for this rare piece nowadays. I was lucky enough to pick mine up at a great price last year.

I agree with Anders about the history of the real car. As for the story behind the name of 22B, I know of a different story, here it is:

"The name itself is an enigma. Many journalists jumped to the mistaken assumption that 22 referred to the 2.2 litre engine and the B stood for Bilstein, the car's suspension manufacturers. The truth is 22B is hexadecimal (number base 16, used in the coding of computer programmes where the letter A to F are used for the numbers 10 to 15) for 555.

To prove this, take a calculator and add the following into the memory&#8230;
2x16x16 = 512
2x16 = 32
B = 11

Total = 555"
either way it is a very nice car both in 1:1 and 1:18. Also the bulk of the 22Bs dont have the spotlights, AUTOart modelled the one thats upgraded by Prodrive for the UK market. I cant remember the exact figures but they are very few indeed.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi everyone,
just a quick question -

Why do you think this car commands such high prices (and no, I don't mean because everyone wants one).
What I want to know more specifically is: why does everyone want a 22B?

Is it because they now cost so much, is it because they are well made (by AutoArt), is it because people want full collections of Impreza's, or is it because it was the 'ultimate' expression of the Impreza (by being a roadgoing version aesthetically of Subaru's WRCar from 1997-1999)?

I bought mine because I like Japanese sports/performance cars of all types, and because I could buy it for only AUS$70. It looks great with my other Japanese cars - 300ZX, Supras, NSX, Skyline GT-R's etc.

So why has it proved so popular, and therefore so valuable?
 
#27 ·
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]
That ll be my reason I think Anders, I am also a fan of original shape Imprezas(GC8). I must admit that despite it is being a great looking model, it is not greatly better in quality from the much cheaper 2door Type R STI and under the bonnet/hood the 1:18 versions dont seem to have any differences. Ironically, while the Type R has metal brake disks, much sought after 22B doesnt. :confused

But there you go, that s how it works. The model that I paid most for(UT Valvoline WRC Escort) is definetely not the best in my collection. Sometimes when the subject matter is something like 22B, you just cant help it, hence the prices keep going up :cheers
 
#29 ·
Anders,

Also it's still around $70 in Australia, as I had a few offers for it, nothing over $100, as I was not going to pay that much, but this car in the UK is in demand.

Also one sold last week on ebay Australia for $80 with only 1 bid, so I guess it has to do with were you live as well.

Thanks Vatabot & Timbo for you comments on my photos.

:cheers
 
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