1996 SUBARU IMPREZA 555 GT PRÉPARATION GR. N

Unregistered
Chassis n° JF1GC8LD3TG050752

Superb Group N preparation overseen by Baudouin Lempereur
Exceptionally well preserved
Order form, service books

This car was bought new in 1996 by Baudouin Lempereur himself, and there is an amusing story about his purchase of it: the sales agreement he signed with Subaru Vilvoorde stipulated that the Subaru was to remain on display in the dealer’s showroom until March 1997, and in return the dealer would supply Lempereur with a set of the ‘555’ stickers (the cigarette brand which sponsored the marque) used on the works cars! This
car is, moreover, finished in the same attractive dark blue (555) as them. After covering a few thousand kilometres with the car, Lempereur decided to prepare it for Group N. He set about this in 1998 and 1999, trying to source the best available parts. Among other features, the car has therefore been equipped with a Safety Devices roll cage (complete with its certificate of conformity), Prodrive bucket seats, a set of additional PIAA lights, a Sparco strut brace, special exhaust, extra gauges and a rear spoiler. As was often the case with his cars, Lempereur made a special adapter for the steering column to suit his height, and this is marked with the figures ‘555’. The electronic management system for the engine was fitted with a Superchips Impreza chip, in order to increase its power slightly.
Since this high-quality preparation was carried out, the car has hardly been driven, and it is therefore in superb condition. It comes with its original books, a set of bills for the Group N preparation, a collection of spare parts and a handwritten note from Lempereur describing the different stages of the work done in 1998 and 1999. This is a unique opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of a driver who wanted to make his mark in Group N at the end of the 1990s with the most highly regarded car of its time!

Photo © Peter Singhof

The auction of this lot will take place on Saturday 19 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1996-subaru-impreza-555-gt-preparation-gr-n-no-reserve-4134-363