A notable group of Japanese performance heroes from the 1990s will cross the block on 1 June, as Classic Car Auctions by Iconic Auctioneers hosts its Classic Sale at Wheeler Dealers Live. Taking place at Bicester Motion, the sale includes a particularly healthy selection of rally-derived machines from Mitsubishi, Subaru and Toyota, all of which helped define the sport’s golden Group A era.
Among the headline entries is a 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI RS, the stripped-out, competition-focused variant developed with stage use in mind. Finished in Scotia White and uprated to approximately 500bhp, the car benefits from over £12,000 in recent expenditure and shows just 53,683 miles. It’s estimated to sell for £40,000-50,000.
Three examples of the ST205-generation Toyota Celica GT-Four will also be offered. Two of these are the early WRC Editions, the homologation special model that featured the hardware for anti-lag and water injection from the factory – although it was disabled. With flared Group A bodywork and a mighty rear wing, values of these cars have been lagging behind the more ubiquitous Impreza and Evo values, although they are now starting to be appreciated. A white car with enthusiast ownership history is estimated at £20,000–£25,000, while a red example in need of recommissioning is guided at £10,000-12,000. The late 1997 car in black is expected to make £15,000-£20,000
Subaru’s contribution is led by a 1999 Impreza WRX Type-R STi Version V Limited (pictured top), one of 635 made for the Japanese market. With a rebuilt engine, upgraded suspension and 555-branded seats, the car has had more than £20,000 spent on recent refurbishment, which makes the £35,000-40,000 estimate seem like particularly good value. A UK-market 2001 Impreza P1, number 0503 of 1000, is also offered, complete with original P1 JVG numberplate and full history with a guide price of £25,000-30,000.
A trio of earlier Imprezas rounds out the entry: a 1995 WRX in Glacier White (Estimate: £10,000-12,000), a 1998 Turbo 2000 AWD in red (offered without reserve) and a 2000 Turbo 2000 in blue with 61,591 miles (Estimate: £12,000-15,000).
These cars are not just fast road machines, but deeply evocative of the WRC era that made them icons. Tommi Mäkinen’s domination in the Evo VI, Toyota’s Group A controversy and the exploits of McRae and Burns in the Impreza remain fresh in the memory for many enthusiasts.
The auction follows the tragic fire at Bicester on 16 May, which claimed the lives of firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, and David Chester. Iconic Auctioneers has pledged to donate 50% of proceeds from the sale of catalogues to The Fire Fighters Charity and a second charity nominated by Chester’s family.
View the full catalogue at iconicauctioneers.com
