rayc

Believe me. You have a way to go! I have a series Mcrae being done as we speak. A 1997 Imreza (same colour as prodrive) with a prodrive ECU. Being done as a track car and being ssign written with my oil and oil additive businesses. Hopefully a P1 coming (Trying to save from scrapyard (already stripped) Trying to talk the guy into rebuilding it for me Must be mad (wife is very understanding though)

Here's a picture of my Subaru's. The Mcrae #34 is currently not on view as it is awaiting a respray. These are Prodrive (Ex prodrive presscar from 1997) RB5 #138 and Legacy GT V Ltd (apparently) Still learning

The RB 5 (Number 138) The Mcrae when I first saw it (Number 34) Cleaned Now has an engine and is going for an MOT this week (I do have correct speedlines for it). Once done, it's then off to the bodyshop for a full repaint and refurb!

I did put a deposit on a P1 to be rebuilt. This is with Scooby projects Ledbury. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to reach them for a few weeks so am wondering if this will happen. Will see what tomorrow brings

Hi Yes! Now in the Stable The Prodrive A McRae The RB5 another 1997 Reddish blue impreza to use as a mobile billboard for my oils and oil additives businesses (should see it around next year) Just acquired a twin turbo Legacy wagon Plus the others! :driving: Cant have too many :D

Hi, They cut out the old metal Iincluding some of the inner arch and refrabricated with new steel. Showed me all the metal that was cut out as well. They are doing my RB5 next and then the impreza I recently bought.

Hi, I bought the RB5 in Hereford. It originally came from Kent when new. All the paintwork is done by a guy in Deal. He will be doing the Arches on the RB5 in the new year. He did the Prodrive and replaced the rot with new steel.

Well it's been a while! We now have an RB5 to the collection, The Mcrae now has an engine and will be going to the bodyshop in the new year. Have just bought another reddish blue one which will be a rolling billboard for my oil / oil additive businesses. Again, bit of TLC needed but drives well and has a prodrive ECU. Anyhow! The Prodrive has been painted! Had the arches done (New metal) and painted but the difference was so vast I had the whole car done. Believe it or not it had never had any previous paintwork! Just wheels to do next and clean up the interior. Well pleased! RB5 goes in for arches in January

Engine in! and running! Click picture for video One very happy man! Big thanks to all at LRS Canterbury!

Someone obviously made good use of it! Weren't me!

Next installment!! The engine, Airbox and radiator arrived yesterday (Friday). All looks good apart from the fact the carrier, or someone, managed to partially crush the radiator. So a replacement in en route! Box of bits ready for fitting! Unfortunately the inlet manifold needs removing as the induction pipe to the turbo is missing. I have ordered a new one from Subaru at £154 plus vat! :shkd: Plus new inlet gaskets. They should be here Tuesday all being well! Replacement Rad should be here mid week also. :jive: So hopefully by next weekend it should be ready to go to the bodyshop! :gr8j: More to follow!

Hi Sounds interesting! Is there any links to previous show reports / location as we would need to sort accomodation etc. Is it a weekend event?

The early prodrives (97,98 I think) had "special" compound pads to alleviate the brake issue. These will be ordered if not on the car. Four pots came later on I think late 98 - 99 on the production cars. Alcons were much later from what I can see. Send me a pm with details of rallyday. If possible we'll try and come along.

I think we can now get an idea as to why the engine was in the state it was in! Radiator The engine bay however, cleaned up quite nicely! :gr8j: before :wall: After Replacement engine, rad, oil cooler and airbox should arrive tomorrow (weather permitting)

Glad I'm not the only one who was mesmerised with the car (Oh and the wife of course!) I'll kepp you apparaised of the work. Engine should be here today. I then have to find a standard airbox (got a cone filter at the moment). I've got an original rear prodrive box ready to go on. Thankfully the rest of the car is pretty well unabused (So it seems). Full service, I'm being told to put some four pots on (I'm in two minds ref originality) Suspension overhaul / checkover next. Bodyshop for rear wing quarters and a couple of light scabs. I'll make sure you know IF I ever come to sell the car!

Hi, There's a couple of pics on here where I said hello. Visually it still looks good. Engine was shot as you can see. Also the rear wheelarches and wing lips (where bumper clips) need sorting as well. All being sorted

TBH I cant believe someone would let a car of this calibre get to this state. The head gaskets were like tea bags, The engine oil so burnt it smelt like gearbox oil, The waterways were full up with K-seal type of product. The radiator fins looked like they were out of a landrover that's been offroading. Totally clogged solid! My wife found the mobile number for the previous owner. I dont think he had it that long though to be fair. I have written to the owner before him to see what information, if any, I can get on the car. To think this car was built in 1997 by prodrive to showcase the WR Sport range for 1998 onwards. They were only building 25 / year then! Still Julian the mechanic used to be on a main dealers Subaru Rally Team. So it's in good hands. I dont think he started removing the engine until 9am this morning and it was stripped for inspection by 1pm! He reckons if the engine is here by Thursday as promised it will be running by the weekend! Then it's straight off to the bodyshop!

Well, The car is at LRS in Canterbury, They whipped the engine out today to change the head gasket. On stripping it down, to say the least, it was mullered! The heads are cavitated due to no antifreeze, the bores are washed, The oil smelt like gear oil :wow: , All the hoses were brittle or broken, Split induction piping, Radiator totally clogged solid, Power steering oil cooler bodged repair. Cooler removed and a rubber tube fitted the the pipes with cable ties!, cracked flywheel :shkd: Totally unvelievable that someone could neglect a motor in such a way So, Today, I have a replacement (Used but from a good souce) engine coming . Complete with all inlet manifolds, flywheel, radiator etc. From a car, by coincidence, just a few chassis numbers away from mine! A new clutch, iridium plugs, cambelt kit, auxiliary belts etc also coming with it. I have my own engine oild additive and engine oil franchise so that's covered! Gearbox oil being changed as well. Going over to clean the engine bay out tomorrow! Here's some pictures

Hello All, Just thought I would say hello, I have just purchased a 1997 Impreza Ex Prodrive factory demonstrator (The one that was in performance car magazine December 1997). It need's some tlc in that the head gasket has gone (Going to my friends garage in Canterbury for sorting). A very small amount of rust on the rear wing again to be sorted). I bought this off the internet and will be seeing it for the first time on Friday. The car looks as though it is still as it left Prodrive (from the pictures) and as an "older" driver (OK I'm 50 alright! ) I am looking to get it totally back to how it was. I am hoping to be able to get a profile done of the car over time and hopefully get to a couple of shows. If anyone has any information they can pass on I would be happy to hear from you. Unfortunately prodrive say it was too long ago for them and they no longer have any records. Cheers Ray - Near Dover, Kent