Subaru Impreza WRC - Catalunya '99 - Richard Burns

[galaxyg]

Background:

In my opinion, the best looking version of the best looking rally car ever, and from the best period in WRC history. Given the current state of rally cars appearance, I don't see this being challenged any time soon. Couple that with it being a cheap and easy to find kit, and with easy to find reference photos (some of which I'd taken myself of the very similar '98 version) and there was every reason for me to build this one.

 

Pros:

Everything. Usual high Tamiya quality of moulding. Lots and lots of detail. Fits together like a dream and not an especially complex build - no masking, nothing fiddly, only two large decals, only one colour really, blue.

 

Cons:

The front radiator is quite visible through the mesh and don't match the real car's cooling layout and level of detail. And that's it really.

 

Verdict:

An enjoyable and easy build, and an ideal entry point into rally car modelling.

 

Build notes:

Built over the course of about 3 weeks in July-August 2024. The biggest change to what was in the box is that I've changed it from the Tour De Corse version into the Rally Catalunya version - I find the RACC/Movistar decals look better with the base Impreza Livery, and I wanted to do something a little different. The door, bonnet and roof Catalunya decals were sourced from a spare Tamiya Corolla decal sheet, and the decal on the front windscreen sun shield is from a spare duplicate of the one on the rear windscreen, as the original sunscreen decal is Tour De Corse specific. In addition to this I've scratch built the correct radiator assembly behind the front mesh, added seatbelts with photoetch buckles, added various cables, wires, wiring harnesses and other details to the interior, and sanded off the bonnet pins and replaced them with photoetch versions.

 

 

Bonus pics.

 

[45DegreesModelling]

Absolutely beautiful. I totally agree with you regarding the looks and rally period as well!

[Vesa Jussila]

Absolutely best looking Subaru!

[Downsizing]

Beautiful build and nice attention to detail.
I don't know if it's the sentimental part of me that agrees with you on this period of WRC or if the good old days simply was better 🤔

[Jbourne124]

Bravo! I love the lineup! 

[Potsie]

Oh yes, stunning build of a stunning and iconic rally car. To my mind, your last photos beautifully demonstrates why this era of WRC was so great. The cars looked close to their road-going counterparts, but just a bit..... more. Group A homologation specials were awesome, but this early era of WRC was like Group A that had spend some extra time at the gym; a little bit more tone, a little bit more muscle, a little bit more shape. But not the steroid monstrosities of today. A collection any rally enthusiast would be proud of!

[klubman01]

That looks so good.  Have to agree with the comments above regarding the look of WRC cars back then.  The modern things bear little resemblance to real cars.  And there are only three manufacturers involved at present which, I think, sums up the state of rallying at the moment.

Trevor

[Davi]

Very good looking Subaru, great finish with very nice additional details! And the bonus pictures are great to look at!

[Donald]

Great looking Subaru and the finish and decaling very good.

[Windy37]

Total agreement with all the other comments. The Tamiya Impreza is the kit I recommend if anyone ever asks " what's a good kit to start with ?"  . Really only black needed , easy decals and a gorgeous looking car at the end . And they are still cheap to buy . 

  As much as I love current rallying , the trend for manufacturers to turn their popular SUV's into front line rally cars has turned out some ungainly looking cars . The huge rear wings don't help on the looks department neither . IMHO the best looking current car is the Ford Fiesta R2 . In tarmac spec. , it's a stunning looking car and it's still a 3 door shell as all good rally cars should be . 

  The 90s WRC era cars were all good lookers as they were normal saloon or coupes with subtle wide arches and spoilers . The best rallying era I think .

Gary .

Edited August 16, 2024 by Windy37

[keefr22]

Another stunning build off your bench, and as usual beautifully photographed - your pictures really do show a superb model off to its best advantage.

 

Top work all round!

 

2 hours ago, Windy37 said:

The best rallying era I think .

 

Nope, sorry Gary, that was the 1970's......!!

 

(OK, alright, I'm showing my age again!!)

 

Keith

 

PS, cracking collection you have there now Michael. lovely stuff!

[Windy37]

Or was it the 80's ....

Gary 

[klubman01]

54 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

 

Nope, sorry Gary, that was the 1970's......!!

 

(OK, alright, I'm showing my age again!!)

 

Keith

 

PS, cracking collection you have there now Michael. lovely stuff!

Have to agree (to a certain extent).  In the seventies it was possible to buy (relatively cheaply) all the parts to turn your Mini, Chevette, Escort, or Opel Kadet, etc. into a replica of the factory cars, and then compete against them on a (relatively!) level playing field.  It's how the likes of Malcolm Wilson got started, and how it was possible to beat Roger Clark on the home international rallies.

Still like the Gp A Scoobies, etc. though!

Trevor

[Toftdale]

On 15/08/2024 at 22:24, galaxyg said:

Built over the course of about 3 weeks

I know I've mentioned the speed you build before, but it still blows me away how you manage to combine speed and such high quality together.  In my builds I bet I spend more time than that procrastinating what step to do next.  Becoming increasingly jealous - Andy 😁  

[Bobby No Mac]

Lovely stuff and can't argue with your sentiments about that era. That's a nice little collection you've got there 

[Alpha Delta 210]

Outstanding build of a great-looking car!

[kapam]

Lovely work!  👏👏👏

Yes, a very attractive Subaru, although I'm rather partial to the #11 car (on the left in your first group shot) for no particular reason.

I was a big follower of WRC, up until around the time of Richard Burns' sad passing.

Richard's time in the series more-or-less coincided with the greatest manufacturer and public interest (Subaru, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Ford, Citroen, Skoda).

[triumphfan]

Lovely build and the rally car collection looks very nice indeed.

 

Atb, Steve.

[Tyas]

Wasn't a fan of gravel set-up, but tarmac/asphalt set-up is just perfect. The Group A and World Rally Car era are just the absolute best, better than even Group B. Richard's death, Colin's unnecessary death and Marcus retiring was the final straw for me to pull my interest away from WRC, a racing event that I loved since I was 3 during the days of Tommi, Juha, Kenneth, Piero and Colin. I found a new interest after Craig Breen's death and I have been Kalle's fan since (that kid is an absolute mental).