Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring/Summer 2019 | Page 19

SVX
No classic Subaru collection would be complete without
examples from the “origami design period”—and that’s
certainly true here with an example of both the XT and
L-Series, known as the Leone in certain markets.
This L-Series model was found in a
picturesque seaside resort, yet managed to
escape with almost zero corrosion. Inside,
its interior is in almost “as-new” condition.
Under the hood, the trusty flat-four SUBARU
BOXER® engine purrs like the day it was first
made. “It’s the archetypal one-owner-from-
new, garaged every day and waxed every week
car we’d all like to buy,” Paul beams. “They’re
super-rare over here, so it really was a delight
to find one in such great condition.”
The XT was found in Washington State and was shipped
over to the UK after Paul had struggled to find anything to
his spec and liking in his home country. Clearly needing
a little love to make it perfect, it’s very much a “work in
progress” as Paul describes it. But just look at those lines—so
far ahead of its time then and still a traffic-stopper to this day!
The Subaru SVX—another mainstay of any classic Subaru
collection worth its salt—is in altogether nicer condition,
another well-preserved example with few
previous owners. Paul discovered the car on
Ebay some eight years ago; it required only
service and maintenance items to keep it as
you see here. It’s his favourite to drive on any
long journey.
“That wonderful flat-six and automatic
transmission make this the perfect GT car,” he
enthuses. “It was a very brave car for Subaru
to make at the end of the ‘80s and really was
an impressive technical showcase for the
brand. It was even above cars like Porsche and Mercedes
in terms of advanced thinking. It’s really a wonderful car
to drive long distances and the Giugiaro design has aged
beautifully, I think.”
six star magazine 20
17