VATANEN AND BURNS DRIVEN SUBARU RALLY CAR FOR AUCTION

Subaru Group A rally car driven by Vatanen and Burns up for auction

A formidable 1993 Subaru Legacy RS Group A rally car driven by Ari Vatanen and Richard Burns is one the first consignments for the Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Competition Car Sale.

The ex-Prodrive model – estimated at between £120,000 to £140,000 – is up for auction on Friday 23^rd February at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire as part of Race Retro, considered to be one of Europe’s premier historic motorsport weekends.

Unmistakable in its blue and yellow bodywork, ‘K 555 BAT’ was leading the 1993 Acropolis Rally in the hands of Vatanen, ahead of the likes of similarly world-famous rally racers Tommi Makinen, Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae.

Meanwhile, Burns raced it to a second-place finish at the 1995 Bettega Memorial Rallysprint in Italy.

Restoration

In 2008 the Richard Burns Collection acquired the car and commissioned Subaru rally specialists Autosportif Engineering Ltd to return it to its original guise.

The process was overseen by ex-Prodrive guru Ian Richardson, whose specialist knowledge and original technical drawings meant that a brand new, authentic Prodrive-spec Legacy shell was made.

However, it retains many of its original mechanical components, its correct chassis ID plate and evocative number plate. It also boasts the correct ‘works’ engine, 6-speed gearbox and suspension set-up.

Race Retro Competition Car Sale

Joe Watts, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, said: “We’re thrilled that this Subaru Legacy RS Group A rally car driven by Ari Vatanen and Richard Burns among others is now available for new ownership via Silverstone Auctions at our Race Retro Competition Car Sale.”

“Vatanen and Burns are among rally motorsport’s pantheon of all-time greats, so we expect some intense bidding when it goes under the hammer.”

The Race Retro Competition Car sale is the first of a number of prestigious sales in 2018 for Silverstone Auctions, including the Race Retro Classic Car Sale the very same weekend.

For more information about the 1993 Subaru Legacy RS Group A rally car and Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Competition Car Sale, please visit https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1993-subaru-legacy-rs-group-a-ex-prodrive-rally-car.