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Barn-find

A rare Subaru Prodrive 555 Group A Impreza GC8 47D is currently being auctioned in Australia by Lloyds Auctions. The car was used by Colin McRae as well as Carlos Sainz in the World Rally Championship (WRC) is unrestored and in untouched condition from when it was retired in 1996.

This rallycar, developed in 1993, is a significant model in WRC history and was the first car to use the famous L555REP numberplates, celebrating Repsol’s sponsorship with Carlos Sainz and Subaru. It won 3rd place in the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally with Sainz at the wheel.

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

The Subaru is authenticated original by ICAAARS and Possum Bourne Motor Sport (PBMS) and has been in storage with only 3 owners since it was raced. It still has the original Prodrive 2-litre turbocharged boxer engine and 6-speed manual gearbox.

The Subaru rallycar in action during the 1995 World Rally Championship.

“When we originally saw this car, it was a barn find with an estimated value of A$15,000 – $20,000 (about RM45,600 – RM61,000). Today it’s had a wash and a check of its history, and it may well be worth more than A$1 million (about RM3.041 million),” said Lee Hames, Chief Operating Officer for Lloyds Auctions. The current bid for the car is A$255,000 (about RM775,600).

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

1994 Subaru Impreza WRC

2022 Subaru WRX starts fifth generation of rally-bred icon

Today’s news might be of interest to classic car enthusiasts. Going under the hammer of Coys’ international auction, is a 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 which is set to sell for a considerable amount of money. Though the car isn’t rare or incredibly desirable, and the reason why it has gained so much popularity is because it has been left almost untouched since new.

Considered a modern day barn-find, this particular Merc was purchased brand new in 1996 as a birthday present for the owner and was only driven 129km. This was because shortly after it was purchased, the owner seemed to have misplaced its keys. And unlike the average person, she never bothered to order a replacement set. Instead, she had the car stored away in a garage.

It was left in storage for a good 21 years since and has only recently been given some TLC before hitting the auction block. Had the car been used as a daily driver, it wouldn’t have gained this much attention. Such a car could be purchased from a number of UK based used car websites for about RM27,000 to RM39,000. But, since that isn’t the case here, and due to its incredibly low mileage, it should fetch between RM248,000 to RM303,082.

The original keys were never recovered, but the car will come with brand new ones along with the original books, manuals along with other period correct items that were supposed to have come with it when brand new.

The Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 roadsters were produced from 1989 through 2002, and they came with a number of impressive features such as electronically controlled damping and a hidden automatically extending roll-over bar as well as electric windows and mirrors.

This particular Benz has one of the most powerful and sought after powerplants of the M119 series and also has a number optional extras such as heated front seats, 6 CD multi-changer, upgraded radio and a wood-leather steering wheel.

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