A limited edition Spec C model, commemorating their under-8 minute run at the Nürburgring."

Since the first-generation model began competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Subaru Impreza has been synonymous with rally racing, especially the top-of-the-line WRX STi model. With the second-generation Impreza, Subaru pushed the envelope even further, creating a high-profile that took the WRC theme to a new level, the WRX STi Spec C Type RA.

This car, based on the STi Spec C - which in itself was already capable of a very high level of performance - was the ultimate rally car for the streets, with an extremely lightweight body and a powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-4 that pumped out 276 BHP and 311.0 lb-ft of torque. The Type RA received additional STi aerodynamic parts, 17-inch aluminum wheels, special stainless-steel exhaust and 5-level adjustable dampers.

The "RA" in the model name stands for "Record Attempt", a reference to Subaru's assault on the Nürburgring in the spring of 2004. A final prototype of the reworked WRX STi Spec C achieved a lap time of 7 minutes 59.41 seconds. Breaking the 8-minute barrier that represented the hallmark for production cars. And at the 2005 Nürburgring 24-Hour race,...