hi all I have picked up my new Subaru what I believe to be a type r Subaru Impreza and found this badge can anyone shed any light on what model this is or is it genuine it’s on a w reg appreciate any help!

 

Only the vin number will tell you. You can check it yourself in many places, like Type-ra.com

 

If its got 2 doors its a good start .

 

its 2 door can’t seem to find much information on this badge on the net it’s a imported car

 

Take your mind off the badge mate ive got one my bmw , you get the point now.

Go on type ra forum (as hedgecutter already said) . And ask the question there and tell them what the chassis no is its on a aluminium plate thats riveted to the right hand front suspension turret .

 

this what you mean?

 

Yes

 

 

Interesting to note the difference in Applied Model code from the plate GC8D48D to that found in the parts database GC8G2FD.
Is that an error (on the plate) or original Subaru "from the production line" model code before STI got their hands on it to convert/upgrade?
Seems it might as the engine on the plate is shown as an EJ20K and replaced with an EJ207.
Gearbox also changed from TY754VBCAA to TY754VB1CA
That would also suggest that the original "Shell" was produced in 1996/97 rather than 1999/2000?
4th Character changed from D to G


GC8D48D originally relates to a 4 Door WRX model

 

You could understand if they pulled the shell from the WRX production line after VIN had already been applied and then added the STi components - but as you say, the shell is for a 4-door as per the VIN. The only things that are correct are the paint code and option. As such, I'm going for ****-up as the 4 door wasn't available in that paint code. Presumably there will be other cars from the same run with similar mismatched VINs?

 

Swapped vin maybe? Not saying it is but can you see the vin on the firewall?

 

Ive got to say i didnt like the rivets on the vin . I dont know when subaru made the first subaru stamped rivets .

 

I want to say newage, blob onwards. But can't remember for certain.

 

Paint code is correct for STi and not available for 4 door WRX though.

 

But engine code, model code etc not matching up. Should be ej207 is on a W plate (99/00 model)?

OP does it have DCCD should be a thumb wheel near the handbrake.

 

That's the mystery though, isn't it? Chassis, engine and gearbox codes from 4 door WRX, Paint and option codes from a 2 door STi; on a 2 door STi.

The VIN doesn't match the car or any car that could actually exist, as per Subaru's own code format.

 

The VIN information given in the parts database as shown in Locheed's image from legacypic.uk is consistant with the plaque shown by the OP.
It is well known that in the early days STI would take a vehicle off of the production line and upgrade it.

We know that a Group A car had the wrong paint code on the VIN plate and was never painted in that colour (silver) or was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed before being rebuilt.

Having looked at this section of Frank Göpfert's Subaru Impreza bible https://subaru-impreza.de/SonderserienENG.htm#Limited for the V-limited models, although they started production in 1995, the first two door models were produced in 1997.
Could be it was actually converted from 4 to 2 door and eventually saw the light of day in March 2000.

This VIN plate for a 4 door version on Type RA.com https://www.type-ra.com/subaru-forum/media/my00-type-ra-data-plate-18dec13.2815/ has the same information on it as in the parts database ???
https://legacypic.uk/identification/...?vin=gc8093802

 

Based on your description, the badge could be either original or decorative. To accurately determine the model and authenticity, it's best to check the vehicle's VIN. You can order a vin lookup at https://carfast.express/en/vin_decoder which will provide complete information about the trim level, year of manufacture, and original model designations.