Vehicle exhibits

Subaru's Boxer and AWD Heritage

Subaru's boxer engine has been one of the company's defining technologies since the introduction of the horizontally opposed engine in the Subaru 1000 in 1966. Subaru introduced its first mass-produced all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1972, establishing two technologies that would become closely associated with the brand.

The Impreza

The Subaru Impreza was introduced in 1992 and quickly became an important part of Subaru's performance and rally programmes. The combination of a horizontally opposed engine and all-wheel drive provided the foundation for a highly successful family of performance cars.

Built for Ken Block

This particular car is a genuine Subaru Impreza STI C-Spec RA built specifically for American rally driver Ken Block's 2007 New Zealand rally programme.

The C-Spec RA was designed with weight reduction in mind and featured factory lightweight components including thinner door glass and an aluminium boot lid. These features helped reduce weight and improve the car's performance.

Rallying in New Zealand

Block competed in New Zealand alongside Italian co-driver Alex Gelsomino. The pair entered the Rally of Otago and Rally of Whangārei during the 2007 season, with both events ending in retirement.

Block had come to New Zealand to gain experience in Group N production-based rally cars. Contemporary reports described the Subaru as being prepared to Group N regulations, making the New Zealand events an important part of his early international rally development.

From Rally Car to Snow Park

After completing his rally commitments, Block and the Subaru were involved in a very different type of motorsport at Snow Park in New Zealand.

Block joined the DC Shoes snowboard team for a series of stunts, driving the Subaru alongside snowboarders and using the snow park's terrain for jumps and other demonstrations.

During the final day, Block approached one of the jumps too quickly and overshot the landing. He landed heavily, cracking his L2 vertebra and badly damaging the Subaru.

Ken Block's Early Career

The car represents an important period in Ken Block's motorsport career. Before becoming internationally famous for his Gymkhana videos, Block was establishing himself as a rally driver and competing in production-based Subaru rally cars.

His 2007 New Zealand campaign and the spectacular Snow Park footage became part of the early history of a career that would later make him one of the world's best-known automotive personalities.

A Unique Piece of Rally History

This Subaru is significant not only as a genuine Impreza STI C-Spec RA, but also because of its direct connection to Ken Block's early rally career in New Zealand.

It preserves the story of Block's 2007 rally campaign, his partnership with Alex Gelsomino, and the remarkable Snow Park stunt that almost destroyed the car.