- Auction for Lawson-owned Forester closes on November 7.
- New engine and turbo, host of performance and cosmetic upgrades.
- Proceeds go to I Am Hope youth mental health charity.
Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson is auctioning his personal Subaru Forester - the first car he officially owned in New Zealand - to benefit the I Am Hope Foundation, a charity dedicated to young mental health.
Currently listed on TradeMe, the auction will close on the charity's big annual fundraiser, Gumboot Friday, this week on November 7th.
It includes Lawson's race number and his signature on the dashboard.
But even putting aside the celebrity ownership, it's no ordinary Forester. Subaru of NZ has supplied a new W20C short block engine with genuine Subaru components and hardware supplied by Winger NZ. It's also fitted with a brand new genuine Subaru STI turbo (VF34) and a host of other performance and cosmetic upgrades.
General manger of Inchcape NZ (local distributor of Subaru) Jerry Delaney says the brand is proud to help such a worthy cause: “Subaru of NZ was more than happy to get onboard and help drive this amazing Subaru Forester project Liam and his sidekick Matt Stevens have completed.”
Since Lawson purchased the 2000 Subaru with Stevens, they have transformed it - with an original 234,000km on the clock - into something unique.
"We wanted to really push the project and make the car as cool as we can and then auction it for I Am Hope. A lot of people have a connection to the charity, or have some experience with, myself included," says Lawson.
Lawson says he chose the Forester because it's a favourite model for customisation among young males who are often over-represented in sad outcomes from mental health issues.
Lawson and Stevens originally started the project before he was promoted to a full-time F1 racing seat. With all the demands of F1, Lawson says he hasn't been able to return to NZ as often as he'd like, but the project has slowly been coming together in his absence.
"It's been a far longer project than I ever imagined, but I'm excited that it's finally going to auction. There's been a few dramas along the way but finally it's ready to go and I hope we can raise not only awareness for the I Am Hope charity, but also shine a light on youth mental health, especially young men, at a time of the year when the Gumboot Friday is in full swing."
Mike King, founder of I Am Hope, says: "This is Kiwi generosity at its best: a much-loved first car rebuilt into thousands of minutes of free counselling. Liam, Matt and their crew have taken a passion project and made it a lifeline for our kids.
"If you bid, you're not just buying a car - you're buying time with a counsellor when it matters. Getting your hands on an awesome car and helping kids at the same time is a no-brainer. Thank you to Liam and Matt for their incredible effort."
What's gone into Liam Lawson's Subaru Forester
A number of NZ suppliers came onboard with Lawson in the rebuild of the Forester, which has travelled less than 1000km on its brand-new engine. The full rebuild and performance installation was carried out by Possum Bourne Motorsport, who have also tuned the car to 300WHP.
With Lawson out of the country, Stevens has run the project solo to get the car ready for auction and is impressed with the final outcome: "Customising a car like this is not without issues along the way, but I'm confident we have something unique now. With over $25,000 spent on the car over and above all the performance parts that have been kindly donated, it's probably the world's most expensive Forester," he quipped.
"Whoever is the successful bidder on this car is guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind vehicle. After seeing this transform from what we started with it's kinda sad to see it go, but it was always intended to be donated to I Am Hope, so I'm just pleased we finally nailed it."
"So many people and businesses kindly supported us, I only hope I've remembered everyone. Just a huge thank you to all those who came on this journey which has taken longer than we expected, but so glad we've got it ready for Gumboot Friday this year."
Among the list of makeover improvements already fitted to the Forester are adjustable coilover suspension, new Whiteline sway bars and strut brace, new Turbo Back exhaust system, high flow fuel pump, ARP head studs, a standalone Link G4X plug in ECU and associated components, performance camshafts with full valvetrain upgrade - springs, titanium retainers, guides and seals from Kelford Cams, and new intercooler and clutch.
Brand new wheels and semi-slick tyres have been supplied by BG World Wheels, Kartboy short shifter, a shift knob from Naughty Knobs NZ, Cruz roof racks and Yakima roof box donated and professionally fitted by Roof Racks NZ.
The car has been completely wrapped in satin dark grey.
Sponsorship from the Porter Group covered all the compliancing and associated build costs, with additional support from Creme Insurance. The interior and exterior of the car has been detailed and ceramic coated by Cutting Edge Detail Pukekoke.