Subaru Truly Created Imprezas This Unattractive Straight From the Factory. You Can Now Purchase One

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Hideous vintage designs from Japan are typically the result of the beloved eccentrics at Mitsuoka. You know, the individuals who transform the Mazda MX-5 into a C2 Corvette lookalike, or morph the Honda NSX into a creature from Subnautica. However, when Subaru crafted what could be considered its ugliest car ever sold, the Impreza Casa Blanca, no external assistance was needed.

The Impreza Casa Blanca was a special limited-edition aesthetic package available on the original Impreza wagon towards the tail end of its production cycle. It was designed to ride the wave of retro nostalgia engulfing the global automotive industry, which not only brought Mitsuoka to the forefront but also introduced other throwback models like the Toyota Classic and Nissan Pao. While Subaru had the Vivio Bistro and Sambar Dias Classic kei cars in its lineup, it lacked a presence in larger (and more profitable) segments. Despite the dearth of iconic models to draw inspiration from, Subaru proceeded with the Casa Blanca, leading to the creation of… this.

The Casa Blanca (its exact namesake remains unclear) underwent alterations to its lights, grille, and received a generous serving of chrome accents that would make a Chrysler 300 owner flinch. The front design appears to draw inspiration from Subaru’s initial sedan concept, the 1500, while the wheels bear a subtle resemblance to RS Watanabe homages. As for the rear, it leaves me puzzled; I have not come across any historical Subaru model resembling it. Most would concur that the overall effect is quite dreadful.

The situation worsens under the hood, with various reports indicate that Subaru fitted only a 1.5-liter EJ15 flat-four engine. Allegedly producing a mere 94 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, power was sent through a four-speed automatic transmission, with some configurations featuring Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph supposedly took 13.2 seconds, rendering this vehicle not just unsightly but also remarkably slow, especially considering its conspicuous appearance. Somewhat akin to a V6 Dodge Challenger.

The Casa Blanca debuted in the Japanese market as a 1999 model, with a restricted production of 5,000 units allocated via lottery as per Bring A Trailer—a common practice in Japan. Production appears to have extended into the 2000 model year. As anticipated, the Casa Blanca reportedly faced limited popularity, prompting the exportation of some models to Taiwan. This localization led to two additional peculiarities: A left-hand-drive version, along with a perplexing hallucinatory television commercial:

However, being a fascinating item from the zenith of the Japanese automobile sector, there is a demand for the Impreza Casa Blanca overseas. Some have been brought into New Zealand, and now that they have hit the 25-year mark, they are also making their way to North American shores. I am aware of one available on Facebook Marketplace with just 50,000 miles for $10,000—without a doubt, that’s quite steep. Yet, I will offer only one point in its favor: I can hardly imagine anything more embarrassing than being overtaken by an STI-modified Casa Blanca from a standstill.

If you have a suggestion or query for the writer, feel free to contact them at: james@thedrive.com

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