- Subaru’s Spec C was built to homologate the WRX STI for WRC Group N racing.
- The JDM model featured thinner glass and aluminum body panels to reduce weight.
- Power comes from a 2.0L turbocharged flat-four producing 316 hp and 318 lb-ft.
It can be easy to lose count of the many Subaru Impreza WRX variants that have come and gone over the years, especially when some flew well under the radar. One such model is the Spec C, a Japan-only version based on the second-generation WRX STI. Created as a lightweight homologation special for World Rally Championship’s Group N class, it stands out as one of the more obscure but intriguing entries in Subaru’s performance catalog.
Read: Subaru Teased The Perfect WRX Then Pretended It Didn’t Exist
Now, one of these rare examples has surfaced in the UK. It’s being offered by Iconic Auctioneers, who note that, true to its rally-bred roots, Subaru expected owners to swap out the factory wheels. Many did exactly that, but this particular Spec C still rides on its original steel wheels, which somehow makes it even more appealing. There’s a kind of purity to it, as if the car never quite left the homologation workshop.
Purpose-built with a practical edge
Finished in Pure White, this 2006 model remains accident-free and appears to be in good condition, especially considering it’s covered over 64,000 kilometers (39,800 miles). To shave weight and meet rally specs, Subaru replaced the standard glass with thinner panes and used aluminum for some body panels.
Photos Iconic Auctioneers
It even has a little hatch on the roof to bring some air into the cabin to cool it down somewhat and make the crew lives a bit easier since climate control brings extra weight, something that’s a no-no in racing.
Rally DNA under the hood
Found beneath the lightened hood is Subaru’s EJ207 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four with 316 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, as does Subaru’s brilliant Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. This WRX also sports STI-tuned Bilstein dampers, reinforced subframes, and thicker stabilizer bars.
It’s unknown when this example was imported into the United Kingdom, but it’s likely one of just a handful that made the long journey over from Japan. The auction house expects it to sell for between £20,000 ($26,700) and £25,000 ($33,400).
If you’re in the UK and looking for one of the most uncompromising STI models of its time, this is worth a closer look. The auction is set for August 23 at the Silverstone circuit, and the full listing can be viewed here.
Photos Iconic Auctioneers
