University of Adelaide had an infinitely variable intake manifold (made from SLS Nylon rapid-prototype material) in 2005. Dunno if this was the first. We had RP intake manifolds from 2003 to 2008.
The same car (and the car it evolved from in 2004) also had a DeDion rear suspension, compound gear drive and front/rear wings, won FSAE-A 2004 Design event.
You could also rack up another one for RMIT - first competition win with a single-cylinder engine? Or did ETS or Tokyo Denki get in before them?
Also... University of Wollongong - first Australian team to win both at home and internationally.
And I'm pretty sure there was a US team in the early 90's who were doing plenty of experimentation with carbon fibre, including flexures, monocoques and the like. Can't remember the name, but they have a website with their car history...