$300K+ 1998 Subaru WRX 22B STi 200 / 400

Classified by many as the “Ultimate Subaru”, just 400 of the 2.2L 22B STi were produced for the domestic Japanese market and a 25 additional (un-numbered) cars for the export market.

This rare and sought after 22B STi (#200 of 400) was auctioned on 23 July 2020 at USS Tokyo – the largest vehicle auction in the world – ensuring maximum exposure to collector eyes… and wallets.

Auction grade 4 B, the report included these sales points:

400 units Limited model. Genuine mileage. Manual books. Spare key.

Condition notes:

Stone chip on the windscreen. Scratches / dirt on the seat / roof lining. Scratches on the steering wheel. Scratches on the alloy wheels / door mirrors. Scratches / dents / repairs on the body.

The auction report also indicated scratches around the body, small dent in front of the right rear wheel arch, wavy paint to left door and right rear quarter, paint issues to the bonnet, and that both front fenders have been removed / replaced at some point.

View auction inspection pictures here

What did it sell for ? Well, there were a lot of desperate buyers vying to own this piece of automotive history and bidding was fierce.

On 14 March 2020 another 22B STi sold for 7.06 million Yen, that was very rusty and had unknown total km with the odometer showing 170,529 km.

This one was in much better condition and ended up selling for 15.74 million Yen.

Factoring in Japan export agent fees, shipping, GST, LCT etc. the final price was the equivalent of approx. $302,000 complied in Australia, plus on road costs @ 75.6 Yen to the dollar.

There would be two pathways to import a 22B to Australia – race import approval, or under the new SEVS (as it is significantly different to the locally sold model and meets the power to weight criteria).