Years ago I used to own a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS.  I LOVED that car…and did a hell of a lot to it (some good, some bad…nearly all fun).  I could write endless bits about the whole damn thing but I’m not.  I’m not because A) it is a sad story in the end and B) I’ve got a new toy.

Well…newish.  Somewhat new.  Alright…it’s old and very used.  But it was cheap and that’s very important considering my plans.

It’s a 1987 Subaru GL-10.  It’s silver.  It has a foam squishy spoiler.  It is a 5 speed, push button 4WD, 1.8L turbo (EA82T for you engine geeks).

It is not a happy machine though.  Originally it came with this pretty trick air ride suspension.  That quickly became an ultra pain in the ass so that had to go (after a couple hundred spent on trying to make it work…sigh).  It has an oil leak…in an extremely annoying place.  You see…it’s leaking oil from the oil pan gasket.  You might think that would be a fairly simple repair…just drop out the oil pan, replace gasket, and re-install.  But Subaru…in an effort to keep things nice and simple…decided that they shouldn’t re-engineer the existing front suspension crossmember for the turbocharge engines (for those of you that are unfamiliar with a crossmember, turbocharged or even Subaru…you may wish to give up now.)

Where was I?

Oh yeah…no re-engineer.  Since the turbocharged engine requires more oil, and is differently shaped (that’s a funny saying…differently shaped), one full row of bolts that attach the oilpan to the car are blocked.  I can’t get at them…no way, no how.  Well…there is (of course) a way.

Remove the engine.  Or remove the suspension crossmember.

So the car was driven (quite excitingly I must add) to the farm in Santa Cruz and left in a  barn…to sit and do whatever cars to when they sit for 6-8 months.

And man…I really ought to do something with that thing.  I mean seriously.  But what?

Well…how about SCCA Rally Cross?  (google that if you are so inclined).

So here is the deal…

On June 10th, at Thunderhill (google that too), the SCCA is holding a Rally Cross school for 2 days.  I’ve already gotten the days off work.  By that date I WILL have that GL-10 ready to run.  No…I’m not going to go nuts with aftermarket improvements.  The SCCA classes cars depending on the level of modifications beyond stock…and since I’m totally new at this, and am trying to do this fairly cheaply, I am going to stick with bone stock until something breaks…then replace it with something cool and neat, and continue with my racing.

That leaves me roughly…2 months to complete this project.  All that “really” needs to be done is pull that motor, fix any crappy hoses/wires/issues (including that gasket) and away I go.  I hope.

I plan on using the Dodge Dakota as a “support” vehicle and even getting a trailer to tow the GL-10…which I think would be pretty sweet…and very professional seeming.  Either that or really fucking cheesy.

Either way…there will be LOTS of pictures, stories, pain and suffering involved with this.  Stay tuned.

Wait…you want to see the car?  Well sure!  I can do that.

Yes…that’s a tractor there.  A Kabota in fact.  I put it there for size reference…sorta.  You see, it’s a small tractor and therefore the size of the car shows how small the tractor is.  I am THAT clever.