2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI WR1

Highlights

• Limited edition no 352 of 500
• Built to celebrate Petter Solberg’s 2003 WRC success
• 318bhp
• 21 stamps in service book
• Unique-to-model body and interior colour combination

Overview

As special edition versions of the legendary Subaru Impreza go, the 2004 WR1 still flies under the radar a bit – but we can’t see that lasting forever because, put simply, it’s bonkers.

It’s not going to tip the scales at six figures yet, unlike a genuine 22B, but the WR1 is still a highly relevant and devilishly quick chapter in the Scooby storybook, and one which is only going to get more and more desirable as collectors clamour to get their hands on the best hot Imrpezas.

There were 500 WR1s made for the 2004 Model Year in celebration of Petter Solberg’s 2003 WRC championship victory, each benefitting from a power upgrade to 318bhp – a hefty 57bhp greater than in a standard STI. The suspension got a few tweaks, too, with a 25mm lower ride height and stiffer springs and bump stops, developed by Prodrive.

The WR1 also gained a driver’s control centre-differential (DCCD), operated via a switch mounted next to the handbrake. The DCCD is essentially an electro-mechanical system that alters the torque distribution between front and rear wheels, allowing a choice between a sharper turn-in or more stable straight-line acceleration.

All were finished in distinctive Ice Blue Metallic, which was new to the model, with 18-inch Prodrive alloy wheels and Pirelli P-Zero rubber, along with driving lamps and a mesh stainless steel grille, while inside the rally-style seats were finished in Anthracite Alcantara. As well as a special gear knob, each WR1 got a numbered tax disc holder. Small details, but a collectable STI is a small details kind of car, and this one still has them.

It's number 352 of 500 and has been enthusiast-owned for all of its life, with 21 stamps in the service book and a pile of invoices, all contributing to its provenance. It’s a special, unmolested car in great overall condition, but it has also been used and enjoyed, so don’t expect an unused garage queen. What you’re buying is a car that has been loved and enjoyed by members of the Scooberati from Day One, and which deserves a new owner who will continue to enjoy its prodigious performance, insanely good handling and its status among rallying royalty.

History and documentation

• UK V5C
• MOT June 2025
• Number 352 of 500 WR1s made
• Original WR1 tax disc holder in presentation case
• WR1 logbook/service book
• All original Subaru handbooks and documents
• Supplied new by Chapman’s of Pickering in June 2004
• RAC Tracker
• Selection of old invoices and MOT certificates
• Service records as follows: PDI (2004, Chapman’s of Pickering), 1,001 miles (2004 Chapman’s of Pickering), 3,012 miles (2005, M&M Motors, Egton), 5,064 miles (2005, Chapman’s of Pickering), 9,625 miles (2006, M&M Motors, Egton), 14,396 miles (2006, M&M Motors, Egton), 19,821 miles (2007, M&M Motors, Egton), 22,772 miles (2008, M&M Motors, Egton), 28,441 miles (2009, M&M Motors, Egton), 33,538 miles (2010, M&M Motors, Egton), 39,457 miles (2011, M&M Motors, Egton), 45,172 miles (2013, M&M Motors, Egton), 50,476 miles (2014, M&M Motors, Egton), 53,625 mils (2015, Brian Downie Car Sales, Inverurie), 56,029 miles (2017, Richard Anderson Motors, Northumberland), 60,370 miles (2018, Richard Anderson Motors, Northumberland), 62,779 miles (2020 M&B Vehicle Services, Wroxton), 67,193 miles (2021, Cuzner & White, Welwyn Garden City), 74,487 miles (2022, Cuzner & White, Welwyn Garden City), 81,746 miles (2023, AGM Auto Solutions, Welwyn Garden City), 89,147 miles (AGM Auto Solutions, Welwyn Garden City), 96,853 (2024 AGM Auto Solutions, Welwyn Garden City)
• Cambelt and water pump recorded as replaced in 2021
• Two sets of keys

Interior

• Anthracite Alcantara sports seats with STi stitching
• Seats, carpets, door cards and roof lining all in excellent condition
• Momo leather-rimmed steering wheel with red stitching
• Factory CD-radio stereo
• Blue-trimmed WR1 floor mats
• Clean, fresh and well-presented throughout

Exterior

• Special edition Ice Blue Metallic
• Paint in very good overall condition with some minor imperfections
• No notable dings or dents
• Some light scratches and a minor scuff to the front valance to the side of the lower grille, with some paint cracks below this area
• Small area of paint bubbling along the top edge of the raised winglet on the nearside of the front valance.
• Newly powder-coated refurbed wheels with brand new Bridgestone Potenza tyres all-round
• Unused standard supply space saver in boot with original jack and tool kits
• Additional full-size powder-coated alloy available by separate negotiation (£250)
• Recent welding carried out to restore rear ends of sills
• A couple of small rust spots are apparent around rear edge of the back door

Mechanical

• 2.0-litre flat-four turbo
• 318bhp
• Six-speed manual
• Permanent four-wheel-drive
• Cambelt and water pump last changed in March 2021 (next due 2026 or 122,000 miles)
• All service invoices present from current ownership
• Front and rear callipers professionally reconditioned by Scoobyworx in Barnsley in 2022
• Recent brake discs and pads all round
• New rear shocks fitted in 2021
• Always run on Super Unleaded by current owner

Summary

There’s a lot to love about any Impreza STI, but this one is more special than most – it’s a car that has been used and enjoyed, but has also been impeccably maintained, as proven by the incredible service history and the fact that despite having covered almost 97,000 miles, the interior is still fresh and smartly presented.

That’s pretty incredible for a 318bhp rally-bred road car, which begs to be driven. And, quite frankly, we’d quite happily beg to drive it. It’s brilliant.

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