Honda earlier this week announced the U.S. rollout of its Heritage Parts Program, starting with parts availability for the first-generation NSX. For owners of Acura's legendary supercar, that's genuinely useful — even though the cars are broadly reliable, tracking down specific replacement components can be a challenge. Most Japanese automakers now have some kind of heritage support initiative for their iconic models. Subaru is the latest to join them.
Unlike Honda's program, Subaru's new Heritage Service Program is currently Japan-only, focusing on the GC-chassis WRX and STI — versions that were never officially sold in the United States. That said, similar programs from Mazda and Honda began as Japan-exclusive initiatives before the parts eventually became available in other markets.
If you've been watching values climb on the original USDM "bugeye" WRX and the 2004–2005 STI, here's a reason for cautious optimism: as these cars graduate into collector status, there's a real possibility Subaru will extend the program across the Pacific. The U.S. market is essential to Subaru, and with the STI badge currently on pause, supporting those earlier cars would make considerable sense — perhaps timed around the USDM STI's upcoming 25th anniversary.
For now, though, that's speculation. Here's what Subaru is actually offering in Japan.
Debuted at the Nostalgic 2 Days show in Yokohama, the Heritage Service program makes a range of parts available for mid-1990s WRX and STI models — including engine seals, headlight components, and wear items like weather stripping. The initiative was prompted by a broad survey of Japanese Subaru owners, which showed that a significant number were determined to keep their early WRX and STI cars running. Given the raw, rally-focused experience those early cars provide, that's entirely understandable.
Subaru built its parts list methodically, disassembling high-mileage vehicles with more than 125,000 miles to identify which components were most prone to failure. The car on display at the Subaru booth at Nostalgic 2 Days was a particularly rare specimen: a 1996 Subaru Impreza Type RA STI Ver.II V-Limited. True to the JDM tradition of longer names equaling greater significance, Subaru produced just 555 of these to commemorate its 1995 WRC championship.
The Heritage Service program has a dedicated website, and the listed parts are available to order through Subaru's Japanese dealer network. The site also offers an option for owners to request parts they'd like to see added. In translation, that form reads: "I want to keep driving my beloved car forever. Please tell us your thoughts." There are plenty of STI and WRX enthusiasts in the United States and Canada who feel exactly the same way — and who may not be entirely satisfied with the current WRX's large touchscreen and 3,400-pound curb weight. Hopefully, the Heritage Service program eventually makes the crossing, helping preserve big wings and hood scoops on roads worldwide.
