IIRC Version II v-limiteds were based on the RA so would have had the ariel in the a-pillar. Version III v-limiteds were based on the STi so would have had an electric ariel on the rear (as would the 555).

I don't think the gass is green do you ?

Shaun

 

Correct, you can't just call them v-ltds, you have to take into account the full model name, i.e Subaru Impreza WRX STi V2 555 (STi base) or Subaru Impreza WRX STi V2 Type RA v-ltd (STi RA base).

All RA's (WRX, WRX STi & WRX STi V-ltd's) have their aerial on the a-pillar ...well all the ones i've ever seen

 

The V limited may of been based on the RA albeit a watered down version with all electrics, including an electric ariel that was on the rear wing.

 

also says red top engine which is clearly silver in the picture

 

Just had a look in Long's book on the impreza, the WRX type RA ver II STi V-Limited has what appears to be the ariel in the a-pillar.

I wonder if the car in the OP is a version III STi based v-limited but registered on the wrong year LOL

Shaun

 

The red paint has fallen off a lot of "red tops"

Shaun

 

As Midlife say's, In MY95 form, the 555 is STi based (electric aerial, rear wing) & the V-Ltd is STi RA based (manual aerial, a-pillar)

The confusion comes from the MY96 V-ltd which is STi based (electric aerial, rear wing)

I reckon he (or more likely, a previous japanese owner) has just stuck a badge from a V3 on the back. Either that or he's really odd & prefers the look of a pre-facelift bonnet & headlights!

Might be useful to add some links:

555 brochure:
http://www.subaru-impreza.org/downloads/1995-sti.pdf

& cars that are often (but not surprisingly) referred to as 555's but aren't:

V2 WRX v-ltd & V2 WRX STi Type RA V-ltd:
http://www.type-ra.co.uk/pdf/v-limited1.pdf

V3 V-ltd:
http://openpub.realread.com/rrserver...aru_impreza_28
(you'll need to enable the java console to see it properly)

Clear as mud! lol