EXTENSIVELY modified 25-year-old Forester, more than 234,000km on the clock - what would you pay?

Not a lot, perhaps just a couple of kay … if it was any old car.

But in this case there are special factors to consider.

First, it’s being sold for charity, in this instance to raise money to support youth mental health awareness. Kiwis tend to dig a bit deeper for good causes and, frankly, you’d be hard-hearted to say I Am Hope wasn’t one.

Secondly? The owner, who effected had the car freshened and outfitted with some cool accessories, is a bit special.

The Subby was the first car ever owned by Liam Lawson, Formula One driver. It’s still his.

A couple of years ago, the vehicle was extensively restored and modified with help from Lawson’s childhood friend Matt Stevens. 

The project has transformed the vehicle into what Stevens describes as “probably the world’s most expensive Forester.”

Working with Subaru New Zealand, the car received a new W20C engine with components from Winger New Zealand. 

Possum Bourne Motorsport completed the engine work and tuned the vehicle to produce 223kW at the wheels. Additional modifications include aftermarket wheels with semi-slick tyres, a short shifter, roof racks, roof box, and satin grey wrap.

So it’s no dunger. Plus, it’s signed by the Racing Bulls driver.

Lawson, pictured above with I Am Hope founder Mike King, says he chose the Forester model specifically because of its popularity among young men, a demographic overrepresented in mental health statistics. 

The car is now up for auction, a process aligning with Gumboot Friday, New Zealand’s annual mental health awareness campaign.

Lawson’s original plan was to be a lot more active on the restoration project. But then …. well, a new job comae up. Mark Webber hurt himself, Lawson drove his Red Bull car as a fill in and … one thing led to another.

Basically, everything complicated his ability to return to New Zealand and work on the vehicle.

Because of this, the job became a far longer project than he’d ever imagined.

But he’s excited it’s all good to go 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,” Lawson says. 

The TradeMe auction closes at 7pm on November 7, Gumboot Friday. Lawson cannot make it. He has a prior and unavoidable work commitment in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Brazilian Grand Prix is a biggie; likely a lot rests on it.