There’s something about the first generation Subaru Impreza that is so unexplainably perfect. Maybe it’s the years of rally and circuit pedigree, the sporty yet minimalist design, or perhaps it’s the association to the legendary limited-production 22B, the most famous vehicle to bear the “GC8” chassis code. It’s no surprise this car has such a cult following. While the US market received a similar Impreza, known as the 2.5RS, domestic buyers never got to enjoy a “true” GC8 WRX or STi equipped with a hard hitting 2.0 turbocharged flat-four and close ratio 5 speed manual. Now that they’re legal for import, proper first generation WRX’s have been hitting US shores by storm, giving enthusiasts the chance to own the Subaru they’ve dreamed about since the 1990’s. This particular 1995 “Version 2” WRX is one of the nicest we’ve seen, and a superbly modified example for any enthusiast interested in owning a track-ready Impreza with a bit of RHD flair! From head to toe this thing is decked out with quality JDM parts, and it’s clear the previous owner spent a pretty penny making sure this GC8 would drive well and turn heads in the process. Starting with the exterior, the car is finished in a beautiful coat of Subaru Brilliant Red (559) some of the paint appears to be original, while other areas, specifically aftermarket aero, look to have been professionally resprayed. The front bumper has been replaced with an incredibly rare fiberglass unit from Do-Luck. Morrette Headlights, DEPO clear corner lights, and a beautiful Varis Dry Carbon hood give this GC8 an aggressive front fascia that looks menacing driving down the road. Color matched side skirts and OEM aero guards add a subtle touch to the underside of the vehicle, and a massive rear wing sourced from a Version 6 STi perfectly completes the iconic styling on this rally legend. The OEM 16” alloys have been replaced by a set of 17” wheels off a Version 7 STi and resprayed white as a nice contrast to the brilliant red bodywork. For an importer dealing primarily with 25+ year old vehicles, we are always pleased to see how well the interiors of these classics have held up. This GC8 is no different, and the interior, while modified, is in fantastic shape. The OEM front bucket seats have been replaced with a set of red Bride Zeta III fixed back racing seats. These are an awesome, genuine set of brides and fit a size 30-32 waist comfortably. The OEM rear seats and door cards are intact and in excellent condition. The dash is clean, with no cracked plastics, and all buttons and switches work as expected. 3 Defi Gauges are affixed atop the dash, while they are non functional at the moment we plan to have them working before sale. An aftermarket MOMO steering wheel frames the OEM gauge cluster, displaying a verified 221,264 km’s (137k miles). In case you missed it, yes, that is a full 6 point Cusco roll cage! Not only does it look great in the interior, it does a great job of stiffening up the chassis as well. Speaking of chassis bracing, this GC8 is fully equipped with pretty much every brace and suspension component necessary to make this compact four door a force to be reckoned with on track. This Subaru is riding on DG5 coilovers. Developed by “drift king” Keiichi Tsuchiya, these Circuit-Spec coilovers retail for about $2600 USD and make this GC8 an absolute blast to drive at its limits. Other notable suspension mods include Cusco rear trailing arms, Cusco front and rear swaybars, and STi lateral links. Chassis bracing is handled through and through, thanks to a pair of Cusco lower center power braces, Cusco rear diff brace, Mine’s H Brace, J-Speed Fender Braces, a Syms front tower brace and Cusco rear V Brace. Pop the carbon fiber hood and the stout 2.0 “EJ20G” sits front and center. Being a 1995 model year, this WRX received a power bump from the factory from 230 to 256 hp. In a small, lightweight chassis, this was more than enough get up and go, which is why this particular engine appears to be mostly stock. Notable modifications under the hood include a custom hood scoop air diverter, catch can setup, blitz aluminum radiator, and Greddy oil cooler. Nothing but preventative maintenance mods here, which isn’t surprising considering how well the car runs and drives. Turn the key, put your foot to the floor, and the Subaru rumble screams through a lightweight JIC “Bullet” titanium catback exhaust. On the road, this Impreza WRX feels most at home on tight backroad twists and turns, not surprising given the car’s track-ready mod list. Shifts through the 5 speed awd transmission are short and direct, and the viscous limited slip differential helps the vehicle carve corners without a hitch! Braking is improved thanks to upgraded Nissan Z32 brakes up front and Subaru 2 pot brakes in the rear. If you’re looking for a classic Impreza ready to attack the road or track, this beautiful red GC8 is a beautifully modified example ready to put a smile on a Subaru enthusiast’s face!