Ian Gwynne is on a mission, tirelessly inspecting every nook and cranny of a legendary machine that is seeing the light of day once more—the rare Group A Subaru Impreza 555. With the brisk winter air wrapping around Buckinghamshire, the ambiance feels like a nostalgic trip back to the exciting rally days of the ’90s. Just as the iconic boxer engine roars to life, the excitement of shakedown day begins.

This isn’t Gwynne’s first rodeo, nor is it just any Subaru he’s working on. This particular Impreza is striking—not because of its widely known blue and yellow livery but because it’s being restored to its original eye-catching red hue. This unique project harks back to the 1997 Ypres Rally, where Bruno Thiry piloted the vehicle with unforgettable flair, finishing in a strong second place.

After its glory days, this Impreza went through various national rally circuits before being picked up by enthusiast Jim Harrison. 'I always wanted to own a car like this,' Harrison reminisces, as he explains his quest for the rare model. Upon acquiring it, the car was plastered in Colin McRae’s famous colors, much to Harrison's chagrin. 'It just wasn’t a true representation of what it originally was—it was red beneath all that paint.'

As Gwynne and his team at BGMsport worked on the vehicle, they unearthed layers of paint through painstaking sandblasting. Revealing its naked metal frame brought about a mix of excitement and dread—'It’s a horror story, but that’s expected with a car that has a rich rallying history,' Gwynne remarked. The necessity for a complete rebuild became evident. 'I wanted no compromises,' Harrison concluded.

Fast forward to the present, and 'P228JWL' has sprung back to life, representing a remarkable fusion of past and present. Gwynne describes the shakedown process, where he first takes the revamped car on a simple drive to validate its systems. With his expertise, he meticulously checks everything from engine temperatures to brake pressures, ensuring the vehicle is ready for action.

Reflecting on his past experiences working with Hyundai’s rally teams, Gwynne notes the similarities. 'Every detail matters—pressure, braking, the feel of the car. You can tell when something clicks.' Driving the restored Impreza brought him immense joy, as he recognized that 'every now and then, you get a car that feels just right.'

As the final touches are applied, Gwynne prepares the vehicle for its proud new owner, Jim Harrison, who eagerly awaits his chance behind the wheel. 'I can’t wait to take it for a spin on Tarmac events,' he enthuses. Even more thrilling, he plans to reach out to Thiry to see if he’d like to take the historic machine for a test drive, reuniting the car with its racing legacy.

This project isn’t just about restoring a car; it symbolizes breathing new life into the thrilling world of rally racing. As automotive history unfolds with each rev of the engine, only one question remains: can Harrison and his red Impreza create new memories worthy of its legacy?

Join us as we watch this spectacular journey unfold and witness the revival of a true rally champion!