Blobeye Special Editions - Type 20; WR1

[Fiisch]

So I’m ready to pull the trigger on a blobeye Impreza STI. I’ve packed up the fags, saved a bit of cash and looking for a weekend toy to supplement my daily commuter (Seat Leon) and family wagon (X3).

Owned a blobeye before and loved it. However, as this will be for occasional use only, man maths is pushing me towards a low mileage example.

There is a Litchfield Type 20 being sold privately at the very top of my budget (circa £16k) which meets the bill. Looks like a well-pampered example, but not sure if horrifically overpriced, especially as only running 330bhp. Similar WR1 from a dealer is a £1000 cheaper and producing 403bhp....

Head is telling me WR1, heart the Type 20. Which would you go for? What makes a Blob Type 20 different? Am I right to think WR1, although desirable, is “only” unique due to colour?

[wolfie28]

Type 20 would be rarer is that's your thing. I remember Litchfield motors doing a T25, which back in the day was pretty special but cannot remember much about the a T20. WR1 is like you say mainly cosmetic with the colour, WR1 badges, wheels and black seat and door cards instead of the blue. Standard power was approx 316bhp, which was a little up on the UK STI with Prodrive Performance Pack. Prodrive worked a little on the suspension and it was the first UK car with the DCCD system. There were 500 made and all were for the UK market. Think there are approx 380 left according to 'howmanyleft' website. If possible drive both and see which you prefer as may offer different driving experiences. Good luck and enjoy.

Edited by wolfie28 on Tuesday 25th February 03:37

[The_Immortal]

Type 20 will be based on the JDM Impreza STi... so that would be my choice as it is the better car to begin with. The WR1 is a nice car but seems to command the ‘rare’ tax.

[Hol]

Type20 was a Litchfield/Powerstation upgrade to a brand new JDM car. It was basically the same car as the Type25, but without the 2.5L bottom end and associated hybrid VF series turbo.

The best part of the whole package was the specially valved AST suspension and whiteline rollbars/anti lift. I had the same kit fitted to my own car back in 2003 and it was awesome, but I would guess getting a bit old after 15 plus years.


Go for the WR1, if the engine has been forged. Otherwise, you can get better power from the T20 twinscroll engine for not much money.

[plenty]

Definitely the T20 over an WR1. The twinscroll is a better drive and there’s no point buying a special edition that’s been modded.

I preferred my JDM blob that had nothing but a decat and remap (never dyno’ed but estimated 330/330) to my JDM hawk that was running 440/440 - front mount and big turbo adds lag while the standard VF37 and top-mount setup is superbly well suited to UK roads.

Although something like this would be even more desirable than a T20: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...