ISDC Featured Member's Car

Eric's MY02 Subaru Impreza Prodrive Style STi Type UK

How long has the car been owned by you?

I got the car in April 2008 after I sold my Version 6 STi Type-RA.

How was the car sourced?

I was looking for a Prodrive Style after I saw another club member's car (a JDM STi Prodrive Style). I liked the visual differences between the Prodrive Style bug and the Irish spec bug. I checked Auto Trader and found a couple of blue Prodrive Style cars. One a Type UK and the other a JDM. The fact that there were two market specs for the car got my attention as I hadn’t been aware of that until then. So with that in mind, I started to dig a little deeper and discovered that only 1000 Prodrive Style STi both JDM and Type UK were produced and that only 100 of these cars had been produced in Black.

Knowing that it wasn’t an official limited edition car but that there were only 100 black Prodrives meant that the search was on, as I wanted something a little different.

I checked Piston Heads and Auto Trader and there was one advertised on both sites. It had a few mods which weren’t me and needed a bit of work to the suspension, exhaust and wheels but the engine was spot on and the body was perfect. I rang the lad that owned it and arranged to travel to Bangor in Northern Ireland to view the car. I travelled up the next day in my girlfriend's Fiesta and loved what I saw when I got there. She wasn’t perfect but she would be in time.

I agreed a price, paid a deposit and got a train the following day from Dublin to Bangor to collect the car.

Then the work began.

What modifications were done when you got it?

When I got her she had:

  • Front and rear strut brace
  • Carbon Fibre STi blankers
  • Carbon Fibre B pillar covers
  • Prodrive 100 cell sports CAT

What makes your car so ‘special’ to you?

I have only seen two other black Prodrive Styles in Ireland since I got mine and both of them are in the north. The fact there where only 100 made in this colour means she is special.

What does club membership mean to you?

The ISDC is what makes Subaru ownership special. I am part of a community in this club that all have a common interest. If I need something I can usually find it here, whether it is information, parts or just a chat each month at the monthly meets.

I have made a lot of friends since I joined the club.

If I wasn’t in the club I would just own a Subaru. I’d much rather be a Subaru Owner in the Irish Subaru Drivers Club.

 

What changes are you going to make to your car?

I can’t really think of too many other changes that I am going to do. Any that I do want to do are mostly minor mods. Here they are for what they're worth:

  • Prodrive Diff Guard
  • Prodrive Battery brace
  • Prodrive oil cap
  • Prodrive gear shift (Black)
  • A good set of coil overs

If money wasn’t an object:
A Type25 build.

What are you seeking for your car?

First on the list above. A Prodrive Diff Guard.

When, if at all, will you replace your car?

When I win the lotto. Or if someone gives me an RB320, but until then I’ve no plans to replace her yet.

Is there anyone you would like to thank for this project?

Thanks to everyone that has helped me all through the years since I’ve been a club member. You have all been great. Far too many to list.

Car Specs:

Engine
Walbro fuel pump
100 cell sports CAT
Magnex centre Section
Prodrive back box
Blitz turbo timer

Exterior styling
Carbon B pillar covers
Carbon STi blankers
Carbon WRC mirrors
Black STi and Prodrive badges

Interior styling
Carbon interior dash and door card kit
Prodrive iron on badges
Black Prodrive Badge

Suspension
KYB Shocks with RSR lowering Springs
Strut Brace front and back

Brakes
Standard Brembos
Black Diamond pads

Wheels/Tyres
8x18” Gun metal Speedline Corse Turinis
Speedline Corse Turini wheel nuts
Dunlop SP sport tyres

Current power figures are:
Pro-Drive ECU Mapped for 97octane putting out 320bhp