BC5 Legacy RS Type RA A-Type limited to 100 units - STi built replica model of the successful RS 100000km endurance test cars

Many debates have taken place over what RA stands for on some performance Subaru models, some have said it stands for “Rally Altered”, “Race Altered”, “Rally Attempt” “Record Attempt” or “R = Racing A= Group A for WRC”. Subaru Japan clarified in October 2006 that RA stands for “Racing Group A” for WRX models as they competed in the Group A category for WRC and previously before that stood for “Record Attempt” on the BC RS-RA Legacy’s. Now some Mitsubishi fanboy’s give Subaru’s a hard time claiming they are less reliable but I will bite my tongue on that and let Subaru’s record attempt speak for itself. The record attempt the Legacy RS-RA’s were named after was Subaru’s way of telling the world and the American market they were trying to penetrate that Subaru’s were more than just reliable. They in fact were so reliable they could be run all day long, flat out and smash records whilst doing it. This was not only the birth of Subaru as a recognized performance brand but the birth of STi.

The year is 1988 and Subaru establishes a new performance motor sport wing called Subaru Tecnica International “STi” to take charge of all of Subaru’s motor sport conquests. STi’s first mission was to prepare a group of new Legacy RS BC’s for Subaru’s purpose of beating a series of land speed records including the big one, the 100,000km land speed record endurance test. With Subaru seeing some success with the Leone in rallying a RS “Rally Sport” variant of the Legacy was to be produced to celebrate this and provide a base as Subaru’s new WRC car. The RS Legacy’s 2L EJ20G closed deck, quad cam, intercooled, turbo boxer engine produced an impressive 220PS for its day. STi took this base and enhanced it further fitting forged pistons and strengthened connecting rods along with porting and polishing the inlet and exhaust ports on the heads. The Crankshaft, Flywheel and even the clutch cover was hand balanced by STi. A second radiator fan was also added for enhanced cooling which was a fair call considering the test would take place at the Arizona Test Center. The suspension was upgraded along with the steering ratio quickened. In January 1989 STi with a team of 24 drivers and 3 cars hit the track for the 100,000km endurance sprint. STi pushed the cars to the limit running them flat out around the massive 5.7 mile banked speedway non stop over 18 and a half days smashing the previous record along with 13 others at the same time with an average speed of 223.34km/ph. Cars only took a pit stop every two hours to change drivers whilst refueling, changing oil or tires. The record stood for 15 years until it was beaten. But more impressively Subaru encountered rain which is rare in Arizona but still succeeded. Prior to that the cars had been averaging 233.35km/ph. 10km/ph might not sound much but Mercedes Benz who broke the record and still hold it today achieved a 225.9km/ph average speed meaning had it not rained Subaru’s old faithful BC Legacy RS could still hold the record some 31 years later.

This event and the New Legacy launched Fuji Heavy Industries Subaru mainstream having only been considered a quirky car builder before then. People were convinced and the Legacy was a hit at launch. Subaru found the RS was extremely popular and as the desire was there to use them for motor sports a RS Type R was introduced as a base grade for motor sports. This was a light weight stripped out version of the RS with hardened bushes, increased spring rates of F-2.63 R-2.17 kg/mm up from the RS’s F-2.51 R-1.89 kg/mm and increased damper rates of (Pull/Push) F-146/97 R-112/74 0.3m/sec vs the RS’s F-126/31 R-82/25 0.3m/sec. The steering wheel was replaced with a sporty Momo Cobra and high grip Advan Grova tyres fitted. The A type was available in ceramic white and dark blue and although there was no production limits a RS-R Type-A in dark blue would be a unicorn as much as a RS-RA. B type colours were ceramic white, indigo blue metallic and black mica. The RS-R was discontinued after the B-Type and never made in facelift guise.

STi built BC5 Legacy RS-RA Type A - Limited to 20 units per month for a total build of 100 units - The only RS-RA to have gold wheels and standard ratio gearbox

To celebrate the incredible success of the 100,000km endurance sprint STi went about producing 20 1989 RS-RA (Record Attempt) BC legacy endurance sprint replica’s a month for a total limited edition run of 100. The colour choice was ceramic white only, the same as the first record attempt car to cross the line. Just like the record attempt cars the RS-RA’s were hand crafted by STi with forged pistons, strengthened connecting rods, port and polished heads, along with a hand balanced crankshaft, flywheel and clutch cover. The intake manifold cover was deleted and they received a gold coloured intercooler and cam covers. They got the second radiator fan too. The suspension was stiffened further over the RS-R’s specs with F-3.2 and R-2.85 kg/mm spring rates and F-190/140 R-130/85 0.3m/sec pull and push rates along with the same bushing upgrade. STi also fitted the quick steering rack to compliment the Momo Cobra steering wheel. Only STi decals on the doors and a RS-RA badge gave hint to what lurked beneath. It was said the car was set up for intermediate rally competition strait off the show room floor however in keeping it true to the record attempt car a close ratio transmission was not fitted. Although the numbers were low these were not built for an homologation purpose. More a celebration of Subaru’s success and having the standard transmission fitted intended that they were to be enjoyed by enthusiasts on the road. What an awesome first car STi built, even the boot spoiler was optional meaning these cars looked like a real sleeper with all the money spent on fine tuning and reliability. Considering only 100 were built the A-type would be a real unicorn today and an awesome collection piece to have understanding the history behind them.

STi built BC5 Legacy RS-RA Type B - Under body protection and a close ratio sports transmission is added. Note colour coded grille and sills. Wheels changed to gunmetal grey.

STi built BC5 Legacy RS-RA Type C facelift - 16 Bit ECU added with improved mid range torque. Engine colour detailing is dropped. Interior seating upgraded.

STi built BC5 Legacy RS-RA Type D facelift - Same as type C but trunk garnish changed to not incorporate tail lights. Black Mica is available and the only RS-RA that can be found not in white.

Following that a B-Type again in ceramic white other than the exception of 2 units in Black Mica was produced from May 1990 to March 1991, this model has all the same features but is fitted with a close ratio transmission and under body protection which motor sports enthusiasts desired. There was no build limit on these and although production numbers remain low at 284 units they pumped out as many as could be produced to fill orders. We suspect a lot of B-Types would have seen motor sport use. With the facelift came the C Type RS-RA which were the same spec as B-type but with the ECU upgraded to 16 bit, this saw an increase in mid range torque although peak power remained the same. Tuning for torque over peak power shows just how much STi values driving experience over flashy sales numbers. The C-Type was offered in feather white only a colour seen on many WRX’s. The D-Type saw the addition of black mica alongside feather white added to the colour choices. For the C and D types the gold colouring on the intercooler was dropped. There were also plenty of small changes from type A-D where items not deemed necessary for motor sport were removed, modified or changed to save weight in the RS-RA’s. We actually think any BC RS is worth having these days if tidy let alone a RS-R or RS-RA and due to the neglect the first generation legacy’s have received these will be a sure investment that we are happy to source for you. If you would love an early RS Legacy as much as we would then get in touch to order one by hitting the contact us button.

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JDM Unicorns Episode 5: Subaru Legacy RS-RA (A-Type)