Looking Back at Three Memorable Builds from 2025

Back in December 2024 we met an individual who would become one of the first Subaru enthusiasts to tell their story within the pages of our new publication called the Mod Report. Evan Polin is the proud owner of a 1998 Subaru Impreza WRC Custom, a car which has been taken on a dreamer's journey filled with ideas and goals built up over years of boyhood vision. Polin grew up on Cape Cod living not much differently from many of those enthusiasts who populate the grounds of the shows we attend. Hours behind video game consoles virtually piloting the cars he would someday be fortunate to drive as an adult, Evan was able to transfer these hopes and dreams into a life well lived. "Growing up I was fortunate enough to be around a lot of talented mechanics...I would always love seeing the project cars...come to life. When I got older, I started playing Initial D Version 2 at the arcade and I would always pick the Subaru.", he remembered. This healthy input of inspiration, creative want, and the desire to keep educating his mind with what the automotive life had to offer is what makes this story special. 

Evan's enthusiasm for the Subaru and building on ideas matured into him developing into an experienced mechanic and mechanical engineer which, no doubt, aided in his success as a modifier and owner of such an iconic vehicle. "I picked up a project 2.5RS and things just snowballed into what I have now.”, he said. “I used this car to hone my mechanical skills along with my body work skills that I learned in my younger years." His desire to roll over the obstacles that would get in his way over time to eventually reach a point of fulfillment are one of the most encouraging aspects of his story, but ultimately, his drive to climb and conquer this mountain as a solo performer is the jewel in his crown. "I did all the work myself from the wiring to the body work (full swap) which took so many hours and countless retries.", he explained. His journey is an example of major commitment and an investment of time that may seem to be an insane premise for anyone outside the life or understanding of the true joy this type of project can bring. "Nowadays I just focus on driving the car, taking it to the track on occasion. It's just a blast to drive." 

Check out the original full story: “Customer Profile: Evan Polin and his 1998 Subaru Impreza WRC Custom” 

Moving through the calendar into January reminded us of another interesting build story we published at the beginning of 2025. As our fellow enthusiasts would be quick to confirm, there is nothing like seeing a true icon in the wild. Miniature versions of those car brands and models that we probably spent hours playing with on the floor as children. When we see them as adults, in full size reality, there is something inside of every enthusiast's heart that brings them back to those days. Connecting with one of our favorite native's of New York State, Joseph DeGiacomo and his pristine 2004 Subaru STi was enough to bring us back to simpler times and remind us of why this platform is so cherished within the Subaru community. Spending his youth in the Hudson Valley, DeGiacomo had those familiar dreams of owning his ultimate fantasy machine, but most likely never imagined the vision would solidify into truth as an adult. "I always knew an STi was my dream car", Joseph explained. Joe would take a journey through six Subaru platforms before this icon would enter his life and fulfill all his enthusiast desires.

"I almost crashed when I saw my first real life WRX STi with Gold BBS wheels and World Rally Blue paint. ", Joseph exclaimed. Now that he gets to jump behind the wheel any time he wishes, his life has definitely graduated into something surreal, but also rewarding. "My car to me is my expression for individuality for the brand and the Rally inspired platform that suits my driving style and is my favorite form of motorsport," he confirmed. "Subaru staying true to the enthusiast and that 'give back' is what sets it apart from all others in my opinion. The love for performance, family, the Charity work and commitment to the Rally motorsport make it even more exciting." One of the most enlightening things regarding his story as an enthusiast and his car's journey as a resurrected and repositioned street rolling personality, is that as a project, the work and time invested in this vehicle is a constant, which proves to be the common denominator in anything that produces true reward and satisfaction. Outlining Joseph's forward movement showed us how important inspiration is not only to the experienced enthusiast, but most importantly to those who are just beginning. "14 years and it’s still a work in progress." 

Read Joseph's entire story at: “Customer Profile: Joseph DeGiacomo and his 2004 Subaru STi”

Finally, the last reflection we would like to enjoy stems from an old school muscle car lover's origin story. Mentioning the mountain lined forest region of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts might direct a Subaru enthusiast's mind to the pursuit of hillclimbs, snow covered rally events, and popular off-roading recreation that involves slow paced rock hopping and camping. This story has its beginnings directly in the middle of that scenery, but its main character didn't follow any of the stereotypical paths one may imagine through this picturesque backdrop. The life of Joe Altiere and his eventual connection with the 2019 Subaru STi comes out of a young boy's exposure to family, the inspiration of his surroundings, and his early born affliction for everything high performance. For Joe, the enthusiast bug was buzzing and biting before he could realize where this journey would lead. Altiere's early years of exposure to the car culture definitely built a firm foundation for his life and passion. "I felt very lucky growing up with my dad and step dad both being car guys.", Joe remembers. "I grew up around mostly American muscle cars like Chevy Camaros, Pontiac GTO’s, Trans-Am’s, Firebirds, and Chevy Corvettes." This love for performance and the uniqueness of platform personality would obviously influence choices later in life. 

As Altiere's life and interests morphed from one brand, model, and vehicle to the next, he would eventually be led to the world of Subaru and the muscular offerings that have been turning heads for decades - something Joe would grow to appreciate. "There is nothing better than the sight, sounds and smell of a car such as hearing the cold start of a modified vehicle, smells of a muscle car or especially the spooling of a turbo.", he said with a childish grin. "Getting together with friends in a garage talking shop and working on some type of project is exactly why I love modifying and owning my cars." In time he and his family would begin the enthusiast's journey as a unit when the STi entered the picture. Landing the vehicle through a private sale in Brattleboro, Vermont was a major stepping stone in an amazing and rewarding journey for everyone involved. "The car was bone stock when I purchased it so with the help of close friends, we installed all the parts ourselves." He said with pride. "My goal in building my Subaru was to have a car that I could work on with my son that we would be proud to take to a show as well as the track.", he said. "My vision was to have a great looking car with very usable power and cornering ability to tackle the winding back roads of New England."

Learn more about Joey's journey and the details behind his 2019 STi build at: "Joey’s 2019 Subaru STi Build – The Third Evolution"

During this past year we were fortunate to meet many other enthusiasts that bring so much value to the community we both admire and support. Our team is extremely grateful to have built relationships with a number of individuals who invest both time and effort to bring their lifelong dreams and goals to reality. We would have to write volumes about those in our community who raise up the Subaru community, and the entire car culture, through their personal modification projects, supportive and educational work at events and gatherings, their encouragement, assistance, and guidance as innovators and influencers, and the simple rewards they bring to the automotive world through their pure enjoyment and passion behind the dreams the live out behind the wheel of their chosen vehicles. Within the selection of titles inside our BLOG and in the pages of The Mod Report, we have attempted to define and display a level of spirit through words and pictures, which can be difficult to do while maintaining the pure experience of being there and absorbing these individuals for yourself. We are excited for the prospect of bringing more stories and experiences through our pages during the upcoming year. Continue to take in the inspiration of your fellow enthusiasts and build something great from what you learn. After you are done, pass it on and validate the word which makes this lifestyle the best. Community.

It is the primary goal at Subimods to create a powerful channel between the growing community of inspired enthusiasts and the productive marketplace who provides a plethora of quality solutions which assist in bringing victory to their lives through the performance of their cars.

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Our team works hard to support these passionate individuals and provide them with well-informed direction without losing sight of true car culture and its spirit. Subimods allows all who are interested in taking the life-changing modification journey to explore the vast selection of products in our online catalog and take a more detailed look at things that have yet to sink into their imagination. 

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