2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG

KEY FACTS

  • A sensational, freshly restored example of a legendary rally car, boasting competition provenance in the hands of World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg.
  • This car also won the Circuit of Ireland National Rally outright in the hands of Sean Devine.
  • In the S11-generation Impreza WRC, power comes from a 2.0-litre flat-four boxer engine, producing around 300bhp, coupled to a six-speed transmission and four-wheel drive.
  • This car was subject of a restoration by renowned rally specialist Melvyn Evans, completed in November 2020, which returned the vehicle to its ‘as raced’ 2005 WRC configuration.
  • The sale will include a day of introduction/tutorial by an engineer, to ensure the next owner has a good understanding of the setup and main controls.
  • While this car is located in Luxembourg, it is currently still UK-registered as ‘HC54 WRC’.

PROVENANCE AND FEATURES

  • This Impreza S11 WRC2005 - PRO.05.007 - made its competition debut at the Cyprus Rally in May 2005. It won its very first stage, driven by world champion Petter Solberg alongside Phil Mills. The car also proved extremely competitive over the next three stages, but trailed in SS5 and SS6, before electrical problems put the car out of the rally altogether on SS7.
  • The car returned to contest Rally Finland in August, again with Solberg and Mills, and this time it was much more successful. Solberg won three stages outright, with numerous other top-five finishes, to place fourth overall.
  • Its final outing with Solberg was in November 2005 at Rally Australia. This could have been the Impreza’s crowning glory: they won the first three stages, only dropping to second for three of the next 10 stages. Solberg and Mills must have felt very confident going into SS14 in first place overall, before an engine fault frustratingly caused an unexpected exit from the rally.
  • After its time with the Subaru WRC team, the car was acquired by Noel Redmond, and campaigned in Ireland, with only one documented retirement over eight events.
  • Over the next 10 years, it was rallied by the likes of Sean Devine, John Lloyd, and Karl Simmons. With Sean Devine, it won the 2008 Circuit of Ireland National Rally, as well as several other events across 2008 and 2009.
  • It was also entered in the 2013 Wales Rally GB National 3-day with Melvyn Evans behind the wheel.
  • The S11 specification includes lightweight bodywork with flared wheel arches, uprated shock absorbers, and large disc brakes with AP Racing calipers.
  • This car is equipped with HANS-compatible Atech Extreme Hi-Line racing seats, Schroth safety harnesses, carbon-fibre door panels, and a carbon-fibre centre console. The period livery has been faithfully recreated.
  • The car comes with an MSA Competition Car Log Book from 2012, FIA Technical Passport from 2005, FIA homologation booklet, and a user manual for the WRC03 CoDriver Control Unit. As the car remains road legal, it also comes with the current V5C.
  • It also comes with various spare parts and sets of wheels, as shown in the gallery.
  • This car is currently in asphalt (Tarmac rally) configuration, and of course the next owner can adjust the setup as they wish.

CONDITION

  • Given its rally car status, over the years it has of course suffered from panel damage on stages, with various replacements. However, the shell itself is understood to be original, and is fresh from a total restoration, so now presents as-new.
  • The World Rally Blue paintwork is in superb condition, looking fresh after its extensive refurbishment, and with the shell painted both inside and out.
  • Its interior is back in WRC2005 configuration, having been returned to left-hand drive by Melvyn Evans during the 2020 restoration. The seats are replacement items.
  • There are no known electrical or mechanical faults; the car is ready to drive and enjoy.
  • The most recent MOT test was on 21 September 2019 with no faults or advisories. It will need a fresh certificate before taking to the road again.
  • A restoration was undertaken by Melvyn Evans in 2016, plus an engine rebuild in 2019, and refurbishment of the gearbox and actuator within the last two years. Following further competition use, it was given another complete bare-shell restoration last year, which was completed in November 2020.

SUMMARY

This Subaru Impreza S11 WRC2005 is a stunning example of the legendary rally entrant, which boasts competition provenance with Petter Solberg, not to mention winning the 2008 Circuit of Ireland outright. Continuing the famous Impreza bloodline, the S11 benefited from a raft of improvements over its predecessors, and this car has been totally rebuilt by one of the leading names in the motorsport community. Now re-finished in the iconic blue and gold Subaru WRC colours, exactly as rallied in 2005, it would make a superb addition to any collection of competition vehicles, or an eminently usable car for a variety of Tarmac or off-road rally events.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

Car Overview

  • semi-automatic
  • LHD
  • Blue
  • Black
  • 2.0L
  • VINGDB030304 (PRO.05.007)


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Lot Overview

  • Lot #05564
  • private Sale
  • Bertrange, Luxembourg

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Exterior  (78)

2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG

Interior  (15)

2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG

Mechanical  (50)

2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG2005 SUBARU IMPREZA S11 WRC2005 - EX-PETTER SOLBERG
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