Vehicle Description
Subaru's first entry into the luxury/performance market started
with an incredibly stylish bang in the form of the Subaru SVX, aka
the Alcyone. The SVX (Subaru Vehicle X) was a HUGE deal for the
up-and-coming Japanese company, which is why they enlisted arguably
the greatest car designer/engineer of all time to style it:
Giorgetto Giugiaro and his ItalDesign firm. If you're not familiar
with that name, a quick Google will quickly enlighten you, as he's
basically the Leonardo da Vinci of car design, with too many
legendary icons to list in this small space. Point being, the car
had to be bold, beautiful, and still very functional, and despite
only lasting one generation, cars like this 1992 Subaru SVX were
all of those and more.
This particular example boasts such an unreal, intact original
presentation that it was a literally a museum piece for a decade,
before it was brought back to the roads by the current owner in
2016. That means very low mileage, only 41,453 to be exact, and the
kind of preservation not typically seen on vehicles at this age and
price point. Born from a 'shooting brake' prototype, you can still
see the wedge-style design in this dynamic coupe, although the
soft, rounded lines of the profiles and front end transform this
Subie into something much more exciting than your garden variety
import. Of course, the aircraft-inspired window-within-a-window
design is what everyone remembers about these unique cars, and that
DeLorean/Lamborghini element looks rather fantastic on a white car,
with the gloss black roof and matching spoiler providing the
perfect contrast. The two-tone presentation is simply fascinating,
and because it's been so well-cared for through all these years,
the curb appeal is just as impactful today as it was 30 years ago.
Of course, after all these years it's no longer perfect, and if
we're honest Japanese cars in the early '90s weren't exactly known
for amazing depth and clarity in their finishes, but nevertheless
this driver-grade coupe is probably as nice a survivor SVX as
you'll ever find. And with a dedicated buff-and-wax, we'd have to
assume some former glory could be could easily be restored to the
factory Pearl White Metallic paint. The body is still laser
straight as well, with no signs of racing or any other kind of
abuse in this Subie's past, and the crystal-clear headlights,
taillights, and one-of-a-kind glass all around the car are the
proverbial 'icing on the cake'. There aren't many better looking
'modern classics' out there, and this particular '92 is a wonderful
representative.
Sporty two-tone cloth buckets still look comfortable and show very
little wear despite living in a car that has the capability to be
driven hard and treated rough. The upholstery is significantly more
high-end than one might expect from a Subaru, with suede-like cloth
interiors in the seats, door panels, and even the dash, and the
dark wood found in the dash, door accents, and center console
really warm things up inside. The ergonomics are spot-on, with an
instrument cluster full of bright, easy-to-read gauges and a
wrap-around cockpit feel that emphasizes the car's low profile.
Everything was standard, including power windows, locks, and
mirrors, cruise control, telescopic/tilt wheel, airbag, and
automatic climate control, which still blows cold. The original
concealed AM/FM/Cassette stereo system is still in place and you
might be surprised by how good it sounds today, and thanks to the
plush carpets and taut headliner, the cabin seals up tightly. The
shifter for the 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission falls
easily to hand and all the secondary controls are at your
fingertips just above in the center stack. The two-tone back seat
looks like it's never had passengers, and out back the trunk is
surprisingly spacious and outfitted like it was new.
The SVX was only produced for six years (as one generation) and
always had the same power under the hood - a naturally-aspirated
3.3-liter DOHC H6 boxer engine. Horizontally-opposed and featuring
sequential MPFI direct ignition and a dual-mode induction system,
the flat-six was factory rated at a lively 230HP, and the
performance is energetic even today, with a wonderful guttural
growl at full throttle. These engines proved to be virtually
indestructible in the real world, and while they respond well to
modifications, this one is completely stock. It starts quickly and
easily, just as you'd expect from Subaru, idles perfectly, and
actually pulls down decent fuel economy as long as you're not
stomping on the loud pedal all the time. The motor spins a 4-speed
electronic automatic transmission, and with power rack-and-pinion
steering, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, and limited-slip rear end, it's
a joy to drive. Handling is agile and sporty, planted to the ground
with all-wheel drive and 4-wheel independent suspension, and the
rolling stock sits on stock 16-inch alloys wrapped in Goodyear
performance rubber.
Offered with it's original owner's manuals, warranty booklets,
window sticker, and even the original fob for the factory security
system, this is an incredibly preserved modern classic, and a
cult-favorite that's sure to keep rising in value each year. This
kind of pedigree and rarity doesn't come along often. Call
today!
