Hey,

Looking to clarify the model of my Subaru, I was told it was a WRX STI when purchased.
hoping someone can confirm this for me please?

Here are the details from the car.

Thanks

 

that appears to be a classic style GC8 with a UK chassis number so unfortunately NO it can't be an STi..............

official UK STi models only appeared in 2001 MY >

 

thanks for getting back to me, the car is a jap import does this make a difference?

 

sorry, it blatantly isn't.........

JDM cars have a short chassis number like this # GC8-048*** whereas yours has the longer UK / EU style chassis number like this # JF1GC8KD3SG01****

 

out of interest why do you think its an STi?? and what details do you have on the actual vehicle??

from MY96 the STi cars would have had a crackle red inlet manifold although this on its own doesn't guarantee anything either way
also what turbo does it have?

 

the car was sold to me as a WRX STI, I have the original log book which is in Japanese also the service book showing it was serviced in Japan.

The manifold is red but has faded over time, not sure about the turbo sorry.

 

Have been looking through the paperwork j have and noticed this code, GC8 035694.

 

It is an import but of a model built specifically for the then "General & European" sales market.
A "Jap import" would be classified as a Japanese Domestic Model (JDM) imported into the UK and as previously stated would have a short VIN.

From the information below the "Destination code" of EK refers to the European RHD market.
Model change of "9602", the T in the VIN and the first D in the Model code "GC8DK8D" would make it a model year 1996 (MY96) built in February 1996.
The grade "GT" is the European equivalent of the WRX or as marketed in the UK an "Impreza Turbo 2000".



General & European "Meaning of VIN" for "Classic Imprezas"

 

ok so this is a WRX or “Impreza turbo” in uk and definitely not an STI?

 

just noticed -wrong VIN

Using this info we are looking at a "From the factory" Revision "C" (MY96 equivalent) WRXSTI built in September 1995

 

Look on the firewall behind the Brake booster - the VIN should be stamped into the metal work.
Example but on a LHD car

 

UPDATED
If the Japanes paperwork VIN (GC8-035694) matches up to the "stamped bulkhead" VIN then it could be a Revision "C" (covers MY96/97) WRX taken from the factory production line and sent to STI for an upgrade to become a Version 2 WRX STI.

If it does, why does it have a UK VIN plate?
If it doesn't............

 

Something dodgy going on here.

 

here is some more paperwork I have, there’s some info on a dc turbo?

 

Have corrected my errors with the JDM VIN

Looks like the paperwork refers to the modifications done at STI

But what is the stamped bulkhead VIN??

 

The car is at a garage so will need to have a look and check thanks

 

had a look at the bulkhead and found the code that matches the vin number.

 

Interesting, so which VIN is it registered in the UK under?? assuming it is registered.......
In theory it should be the JDM bulkhead "stamped" one not the UK plate.
It's possible it was "cloned" from a same colour scrapped UK car in order to get it into the UK without it having to pass IVA (or similar at the time) and registering it.

 

how do I find out what vin the car is registered under?

 

Just a few thoughts
If it was originally in motorsport it may not have been registered from new in Japan and thus not had a Japanese VIN plate assigned to it.
I helped a rally driver not so long ago who imported a JDM Legacy Rally car from Australia - it didn't have a VIN plate assigned to it and it was registered in the UK using the stamped bulkhead VIN info.
Did you get any documention regarding the Japanese De-Registration/Registration certificate??

 

Have you got the UK V5C form for it??

 

this is what I have

 

Do car vx report on the JDM 6 digit number and a HPI check on the UK chassis plate and see what you get.

 

Rally cars generally have to be both road legal and fully registered so that scenario is very odd.................

maybe not as odd as this chaps JDM with 'ringed' UK VIN plate...........

 

Not the first time I've seen this scenario. In 2000 my father imported a V4 STI Type r that had been used as a chase car by subaru. It arrived with no VIN plate. My memory is a little vague but remember it being an absolute ball ache to get a plate assigned by subaru for the car.