√1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B returns to the auction block

Just seven months after it changed hands, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B is back up for sale – with just five kilometres more on the clock.

A 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B with some interesting history is up for auction again, months after it was sold by the Federal Government.

The rare Impreza WRX STI 22B is arguably the most desirable Subaru ever produced, with just 425 examples made by the Japanese brand, inspired by the wide-body World Rally Car produced by Prodrive.

This particular 22B, build number 132, is being auctioned by Collecting Cars just seven months after the vehicle was sold under ‘proceeds of crime’ by Liquid Asset Management in Sydney on behalf of the Australian Financial Security Authority.

Despite the curious history, it’s understood the Subaru sold for more than $300,000 plus buyer’s premium, before being relocated to the Melbourne suburb of Berwick.

According to the latest listing, the 22B has travelled just five kilometres over the past seven months.

While this vehicle is believed to have been personally imported in 2008, just five were sold new in Australia by Subaru – but owners had to wait months to legally drive their cars on the road, with the company’s local arm having to get special permission from its head office to spend the money complying the vehicles to meet local standards.

In April 2021, one example sold on US auction website Bring A Trailer for $US312,555 – or more than $AU400,000.

Last month, Prodrive unveiled the P25 – its own take on a road-going World Rally Car from the period – with a price tag of £460,000 ($AU808,000) before taxes.

The current auction is set to end on Sunday night, with bidding currently at $201,500 at the time of writing, and can be viewed on Collecting Cars by clicking here.

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