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This old rally car just became the most expensive Subaru ever sold

The Richard Burns-piloted championship-winning car auctioned for over $1 million

Alex Reid
Jun 03, 2021  •  June 21, 2021  •  1 minute read  •  Join the conversation
Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (9)
Photo by Collecting Cars

The holy grail of Subaru rally cars crossed the auction block at the end of May, fetching a record price due at least in part to its remaining, unlike most privately owned rally cars, in as-raced condition.

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This very vehicle is what carried Richard Burns to a first place overall victory at the 2000 Rally GB, with co-driver Robert Reid. Burns would also take second place in the driver’s championship, and go on to win the World Rally Championship in 2001.

A large part of the value comes from the originality of the vehicle, which is exactly as it was when it won in 2001. Most race cars are returned to the team after the race is completed and given a once-over, but in the case of Burns’ car, the sale was pre-determined before the race was completed.

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Immediately after the race, the Subaru was taken away in as-raced condition, preserving it as a perfect time capsule. Everything is as it was when Burns last drove it, including body damage, dented front wing, steering wheel, seats, and racing harness.

The car even had energy bar wrappers in the door pocket, as well as an emergency Nokia phone, and pace notes from the final day of competition.

  1. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (5)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  2. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (8)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  3. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (7)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  4. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (1)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  5. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (2)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  6. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (10)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  7. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (6)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  8. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (4)
    Photo by Collecting Cars
  9. Richard Burns Subaru WRX WRC (3)
    Photo by Collecting Cars

1 of 9

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The engine is the only thing that’s been touched since its last day on the rally stage. The turbocharger 2.0-litre flat-four makes 300 horsepower and was delicately serviced. New fuel cells were also installed, as well as a replacement ECU that allowed the car to run on unleaded gasoline.

The car was sold via auction house Collecting Cars . The final hammer price for the last car Richard Burns raced? Some £610,000, or about $1,041,812 Canadian dollars, making it the most expensive Subaru ever sold .

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