If you want to get into rally racing, either competitively or just for fun, you’re going to need a car. And if your pockets are deep enough, I’ve got just the car for you—a Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS rally car that is said to have been hooned by the legend himself, Ken Block.
Well, I don’t have it—Bring a Trailer is selling it, and it can be yours in nine more days if you’re willing to outbid countless other deep-pocketed bidders. The current bid is at $46,000 and it’s likely going to rise quite a bit higher than that, given BAT’s history of top-dollar auctions and the Ken Block connection.
The specific Subaru started life as a 2004 Impreza 2.5 RS before it crashed and was totaled in 2005. Someone must have realized its rally car potential shortly thereafter and had Vermont SportsCar in Milton, Vermont turn it into a rally car based on Open Class specs. It was then said to be driven by Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino in the 2006 X Games. In 2009, it was bought and driven by rally driver Mark Fox, before it eventually ended up with its current seller.
It certainly looks the part, too, thanks to its Monster Energy livery, quad rally lights, and orange 15-inch Speedline Corse wheels. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is tuned by Motec, it has a five-speed dog-leg manual transmission, a GReddy aluminum radiator and intercooler, Öhlins shocks, and Cusco limited slip differentials both front and rear, among many other things. Inside, its racing bucket seats with Sabelt six-point harnesses and roll cage make it ill-suited for road use, if it could even be legalized in the U.S. It’s a proper rally car, not just an Impreza with a fun livery and a wing.
Buying this kick-ass Subie won’t give you Ken Block skills and, let’s face it: depending on who nabs it and how much they spend to do it, it might never see another speck of gravel again. But, for the willing owner, it will allow them to hone their own skills on dirt. It’s a properly set up rally car, and has the history to prove it. Plus, it just looks like a blast to drive.
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