Prodrive, the company behind Subaru’s successful World Rally Car program, has just announced that it is selling off many of its decommissioned race cars, including the very first Impreza WRC car.

This 1997 model Impreza WRC car made its debut at the 1997 Rally Monte Carlo and was used that year by Pierro Liatti, Kenneth Erikkson and the late Colin McRae.

In 1998 the car was sold to a private Prodrive client and has since been fully restored to its original condition by McKinstry Motorsport in Ireland. The car has been brought back to its original condition with paint and decals from the 1997 Rally of Finland.

The asking price is set at 85,000 British Pounds ($121,000).

The sale of the car is aimed at creating a buzz around Prodrive’s new website dedicated to selling old race cars. Currently listed on the site are seven other Impreza WRC cars, as well as 17 Prodrive Impreza Group N cars. Prices range from 50,000 Pounds ($70,000) to 350,000 Pounds ($500,000) for a 2008 spec Impreza WRC car.

A full list of all the cars with specifications can be found at:

www.prodrive.com

Not two weeks after the final race of the 2008 season, Subaru has made the surprise move to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship. The move follows a similar announcement the day before by Suzuki.

For the past 20 years the Subaru WRC team, under the direction of Prodrive, has won six WRC Championship titles with drivers like the late, great Colin McRae. Arguably Subaru’s continued existence as a manufacturer in the international marketplace has relied heavily on its reputation for success in racing.

Citing the worldwide economic downturn, Subaru was quick to blame a tight pocketbook and not the fact that the company hasn’t won a race since 2006. At the end of the 2008 season the Subaru team finished 3rd overall with drivers Chris Atkinson and Petter Solberg grabbing the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

If no other teams join before the 2009 season starts, only Ford and Citroen will be left battling it out in the top class.

Team operator Prodrive will apparently begin preparing to enter a private team in 2010.

Official Release, plus 2008 Subaru WRC Gallery after the jump:
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