A Subaru that once sold out in a few hours, in the age of dial-up internet, is up for sale in the Czech Republic

In the 90s, Japanese manufacturers not only produced superb cars with tasty sports performance, but were also very advanced in the methods of selling them to the market, especially when it came to special editions. In 1998, Subaru launched a special edition Impreza STi, called 22B, which it decided to sell online only, in 400 copies for Japan and another 24 copies for other markets of the world. That model sold out in just a few hours, even though it was still in the dial-up Internet era.

And this special edition didn't just mean two more special colors and some stickers. It even had a modified engine with a cylinder capacity of 2.2 liters, instead of the standard 2.0 liters. The engine with the one with the code name EJ22G, and it was a 4-cylinder turbo boxer, with official data stating the same 280 HP limited by agreements of honor between the Japanese manufacturers. Unofficially, however, everyone said that especially the 22B edition delivers much more.

The car was offered only in a two-door version and had a special body kit, and several components were different, better performing, and this included suspension, brakes, and even the clutch! It was, therefore, a supreme edition, created for the most advanced connoisseurs of the brand, as it had been conceived on the occasion of Subaru's 40th anniversary.

Well, one of the very few produced has now been put up for sale in the Czech Republic. It's a Subaru Impreza 22B STi manufactured in 1998, of course, because it was only manufactured that year, but what's more impressive is the fact that it has only 54,000 km (33,550 miles) covered in its 24-year history!

Naturally, it is a right-hand drive car, because only such 22Bs existed. And this specimen was bought in 2009 in Japan and then imported to Europe, and for the last 13 years it has been part of a private collection.

It's in perfect condition aesthetically and mechanically, we're told, and the images seem to confirm this car's status as an absolute Japanese gem.

The car, however, costs an exorbitant amount. 195,000 dollars are being asked for it in the Czech Republic, money that could buy you a new Bentley or a supercar. But the price is not disconnected from reality. Last year, in the USA, an Impreza 22B STi copy with 40 thousand km traveled (25 k miles) was sold for 312,555 dollars at an auction! So, the distance difference not being too big, this car at less than 200 thousand is a kind of bargain, at one!

It's one of the most sought after and appreciated collectible Subarus, after all, even one of the most appreciated Japanese collectible cars! And, if you are not saddened to increase the number of miles on the odometer, then it is also a collector's car that you can enjoy with an intensity of performance that even modern Subaru models no longer offer!