The 22B

What is it about the Subaru Impreza 22B that makes it so special?

What the F40 is to Ferrari and the DB5 is to Aston Martin, the 22B is to Subaru; it’s the embodiment of a brand. Never has there been another Subaru held in such high esteem. It’s a handsome brute, a car that looks more at home amongst the trees than in the civilized world, with which it was intended.

At the heart of the 22B is Subaru’s EJ22, considered by many to be the brand’s greatest engine. The high strung flat-4 has been lusted after by many, myself included. It’s the perfect power plant for a car that more closely resembles its WRC counterpart than any Impreza since.

The car was built to celebrate Subaru’s 30th Anniversary and 3rd Constructor’s Title in the WRC. Only 400 units were produced and completely sold out in 30 minutes. As a collector’s car, it joins only a handful of the very best Japan has to offer.

What really makes the 22B so special are its looks. The Peter Stevens inspired body is utterly timeless and the car looks just as good today as it did 15 years ago.

For me it represents everything Subaru owners love about the brand; the WRB paint (the first road car to use it), the painfully flashy gold wheels and that massive STi rear wing. Sure you’ll look 16 behind the wheel and suffer from the disapproving stares of your fellow motorists but isn’t that the point? What defines a car for me is how big of a smile it puts on my face. Too often we see people buy cars for the sole purpose of fitting in. Just look at the direction the tuning industry is moving in… and all the hybrids populating the streets. People are no longer driving cars for themselves.

The 22B has presence. Behind the wheel, you’re diving a piece of rallying, dare I say automotive history. Were one to turn up at Cars & Coffee it would proudly join the company of the European elite. I had the rare opportunity of seeing one in the flesh while in Japan a few years ago. It was a biblical experience and (as always) looked even better in person. The 22B represents why I love cars and will always be a piece of automotive perfection.

GC10 At The Daikoku

It’s been a while since I did a Throwback Thursdays post. In fact it’s been a while since I’ve posting anything other than Formula 1 racing!

I’ve said it before, but red is by far the best color on the Hakosuka. I think it accentuates so many details on the body that get lost with the more popular colors like white and grey.

One of the major advantages to modifying a Japanese classic is that you don’t have to do much to the exterior. Most of the more popular cars look great bone stock. Fender flares, wheels, a drop and you’re good to go.

I need to make a pilgrimage to the Daikoku parking area one of these days.

Photos courtesy of Kevin Pratt.

Throwback Thursdays: Kenmeri Sedan

While not as attractive as the coupe, the GC110 still looks good as a sedan.

Clean, simple, classic.

Throwback Thursdays: Hakosuka Perfection

Do more words need be said?

Perfection achieved.

Throwback Thursdays: Drift X30

There are plenty of JZX100 drift cars out there. We see them all the time, but it’s not so often you see an X30 in drift trim.

This particular Chaser alludes to it’s boso roots: massive over fenders, deep dish wheels and external oil cooler, check.

It really is a family affair.

Throwback Thursdays: Super Red

I’m beginning to think I should rename Throwback Thursdays, to Skyline Thursdays. Except for an X30 Chaser, it’s been mostly a Nissan affair. Today is no different with this classically styled, red Hakosuka.

Brands like Rays and Work, have done a great job designing new wheels, specifically for vintage cars. While models like the Meister CR01 and TE37V look fantastic, they still can’t outdo a proper set of RS Watanabes.

Red is by far my favorite color for the Hakosuka and the black fenders are a must.

Throwback Thursdays: Blue Streak

Track prepped Kenmeri doing its thing.

Headlight covers and external oil cooler are essential.

Throwback Thursdays: X30 Chaser

Is there a more versatile car, than the Toyota sedan? It is as much beloved as it is loathed by so many. Here in the states, it would be nearly impossible, not to see a Camry out and about. Fortunately, we’re not talking about watered down, ex-pat Toyotas; we’re talking about quite possibly, the most important Toyota sedan of all, the Chaser.

The Toyota Chaser was introduced in 1977, as a competitor to the Nissan Skyline. It was an every man’s car, offering the Japanese an attainable, luxury sports sedan.

It came as both a coupe and a sedan, powered by economic 4 and 6-cylinder engines.

While the X30′s following may not be as prominent as the Celica 2000GT or the Hakosuka, it’s still a unique looking platform, with plenty of potential. The round headlamps fit the front end perfectly, as do the gaping grill and fender mirrors.  It’s a relatively simple looking car, almost generic from the certain angles. But while other Japanese cars of the time, were mimicking American muscle styling, the Chaser remained Japanese. Painted black, you could even call it a noble.

The long, sweeping body lines have been carried through the line, since the days of the X30.

While most will immediately recognize the Skyline, as the most important Japanese car, it’s hard not to include the Chaser, as part of the conversation. Especially from a tuning perspective, the car has done it all. It’s been a drifter, competed in time attack and circuit racing, even had a steady foot in the VIP scene, before there was a VIP scene. It was the original car that was “too big” to slide and that made it beloved by the drifters. There are few sites more pleasurable, in the sport, than seeing a massive, JZX100 going sideways.

So there you have it, the X30 Chaser. Cetainly not the most popular, but one of the most interesting and definitely a classic.

Throwback Thursdays

I’ve really enjoyed featuring more of the Japanese Classics this week, so starting today I’m going to be doing Throwback Thursdays. I’ve been feeling like A Class needs more variety lately. Formula 1 and  Subaru coverage will always continue to happen, but this another addition, I’d like to get in the mix.

This Kenmeri needs nothing further. Just stop right there.

Is there a more quinessental wheel for these cars, than the RS Watanabe? I’m really digging that exhaust too. With most of these old school builds, the exhaust appears to be nothing more than an afterthought, but this one adds a bit of modern style

Hakosuka

Yesterday I came across a cool blog, run by a Hakosuka owner named Mark. Simply titled Hakosuka, it’s all things Skyline GC10 and features some of the nicest builds, you’re likely to find anywhere. If you’ve got the bug, I’d recommend checking it out.

This would be Mark’s GC10, absolutely beautiful.

The vintage obsession continues.

Photo courtesy of Sean Klingelhoefer.