Possum Bourne's Subaru Leone rally car could be yours
Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Possum Bourne’s awesome 1982 Subaru Leone rally car has appeared for sale at Webb’s April “Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia” auction house, and compared with other ex-motorsport vehicles, it could be a steal.
The car was first registered in New Zealand on 22 December 1982, and raced in the 1983 Rally of New Zealand with Bourne at the wheel, the first time he helmed a Subaru. He managed 14th, the car’s best result of its four annual races.
It even featured on the 1984 Rally of New Zealand promotional poster, bearing the same registration plate as it does now, as well as the brilliant ‘80s livery, brace of Hella lights, stripped, rally-spec interior with roll cage and passenger-side timing gear/gauges, and lightly modified 1.8-litre flat-four engine.
Webb’s reckons it will sell for between $90,000 - $120,000 when it crosses the block on April 10, putting it in the more affordable section of “actual cars that have been raced by famous racers”. Consider it next to the million-dollar Holden Toranas and Ford Falcons…
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You could also put it next to the ‘barn find’ Subaru Impreza discovered in September 2021, which ended up being an ex-Colin McRae racer worth up to $1 million.
Also going under the hammer next month is a Nissan Primera. Yep, a four-door family car. This one is a bit more special than the dungers you might be thinking of, as it’s one of 24 ‘Millen Spec’ SMX Primeras, all built in New Zealand.
The SMX was built in association with Steve Millen, and featured cross drilled brakes, Eibach springs and a more aggressive body kit.
It also has a five-speed manual, rear wiper, extra horns, sports seats, all decals and handbooks, and a signed original letter from Steve Millen.
Under the bonnet is a fairly standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder making 118kW and breathing through a free-flow muffler couple with a big-bore exhaust.
Sound good? It’ll cost you – Webbs estimates the SMX Primera will go for $50k to $60k.
Other interesting auctions include a 1972 BMW 2002 Touring, which eschewed the original sedan shape in favour of a three-door hatchback look; a handful of original Monaco Grand Prix posters; and a $550,000 1982 Ferrari BB 512i.
The auction takes place at 2pm on Sunday the 10th of April at Pavilion 3, of the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland.