In the golden age of early 2000s rallying, few names commanded greater respect than Subaru and Prodrive, competing and winning in the most competitive sphere of the World Rally Championship against major manufacturers with bitter rivalries.

Prodrive had long since cemented itself as the motorsport arm of Subaru, masterminding the Championship-winning campaigns of Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg, as well as delivering one of the most recognisable cars in competition history, the blue and yellow Impreza WRC.

For 2004, Prodrive debuted the S10 iteration of the GD-chassis Impreza following refinements in every department.

It was lighter, stiffer, more aerodynamically efficient and underpinned by increasingly sophisticated active differential and traction management.

At its heart remained Subaru’s synonymous jewel, the turbocharged, competition-spec 2-litre flat-four mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

The car was fitted with right-hand push/pull paddle shift, driving...