Abandoned Subaru dealership includes unique sports car gem

A forgotten showroom full of rare Japanese cars has been discovered on the streets of Malta.

The abandoned dealership was once the only Subaru garage on the small European island, but it was put out of business in the late 1990s when a rival started importing the same cars.

US website carsaddiction.com uncovered the disused Fuji Heavy Industries showroom and posted a series of images and video revealing the hidden gems inside.

What was left inside was an ultra-rare collection of right-hand drive Subarus, most of which had next-to-zero miles on their clocks.

Among the classic cars was an early model Impreza estate with original 1980s wheel trims over steel wheels, with unpainted bumpers and door handles.

Also inside the time capsule was a Sambar and a compact Justy, but the real diamond in the rough was a brand new Subaru XT Turbo - a two-door coupe which was launched in 1985.

With the last one rolling out of the factory in 1991, it is potentially the last remaining brand new Subaru sports car in the world.

At the time of production, the Subaru XT a known innovator of small sports coupes.

Fitted with four-wheel-drive and a turbo charger, it was loaded with unusual features like retractable door-handle flaps, pistol-grip gear shifter, headlight washers, trip computer and a hill-hold brake system.

Keen-eyed car enthusiasts have questioned whether the dealership is truly abandoned.

They pointed out that barely any of the car tyres were flat, and noticed plants inside the showroom were still healthy.

But according to carsaddiction.com, the former owner had been using the showroom as a garage for one of their own motors, explaining the store's upkeep.

The garage is located in the small town of Mosta on the Mediterranean island.

- Daily Mail