Forward Thinking, Rearward Facing: 1982 Subaru Brat
Everything is cyclical in the automotive world. Notice that automakers are again building small, car-based trucks. These vehicles became popular with the introduction of the Ranchero and the El Camino in the fifties. This market rose and fell over the years, with trucks such as the Rampage, Scamp, and the VW pickup entering and leaving the market. Subaru entered it too. Their entry was so unique that folks are still clamoring for a modern remake. If you are looking for a vehicle that can put the wind in your hair backwards, then check out this 1982 Subaru Brat pick up for sale on craigslist in Monroe, Washington. This quirky Japanese import is still in good condition and shows off some of the quirks that made this little truck memorable. Thanks to Gunter K. for another great find!
By all accounts, Ford’s new maverick pickup is a runaway best seller. Not far behind is the new Hyundai Santa Cruz. Even Honda’s long-running Ridgeline is selling well. It’s a seller’s market right now for sure, but the demand for these particular body styles shows that consumers are ready for a car based light duty pick up again. This makes sense in today’s world. Gas is more expensive, parking spots seem to be shrinking by the day, and most pick up buyers don’t use their trucks at anywhere near their capacity. A truck that can be used on the daily commute to get high twenties in regard to gas mileage that can also pick up a dozen bags of mulch at Home Depot is perfect for today’s urbanite.
Subaru’s entry was a quirky as the automaker was itself. The modern-day Subaru that everyone knows today is kind of like the Japanese version of Volvo. Safe, conservative (except for the rally inspired models), and reliable. Yet, back in the seventies and eighties, Subaru was known for some far-out vehicles that seemed straight of the streets of Tokyo without any softening for the American market. They got their foothold on these shores with the diminutive Subaru 360. From there, the company began to specialize in more conventional transportation. Sedans like the Subaru DL and GL were a bit more conventional but weren’t as domesticated as their Datsun and Toyota competitors. Yet, people began to see that these boxer engine powered cars would go anywhere if you checked the box for four-wheel drive when ordering.
In 1978, the company introduced the Brat. While the name caught a lot of attention for obvious reasons, the official name stood for “bi-drive recreational all terrain transporter.” Taking advantage of the parts bin to create a new vehicle from an existing platform, this little truck soon found a following. The one oddity was the two seats bolted into the bed. Those who were not around then probably have no idea that riding in the bed was an accepted method of travel. Even for kids. You had to lived back then to understand the atmosphere. Come to think of it, you also had to live through it to wax poetically about those times today.
Seats in the bed became an eye-catching aspect of the Brat. There is a tax on imported vehicles that probably has a really pleasant but misleading name but is commonly referred to as the “Chicken Tax.” This tax is basically a 25% tariff on light trucks implemented during the Johnson Administration. It was a response to tariffs placed on American chicken by our Cold War allies the French and the West Germans. In ways known only to Washington insiders then and now, this tax has been preserved to protect America’s truck manufacturers. There are ways around this, and Subaru placing seats in the rear of the Brat was probably the most famous example of avoidance.
This 1982 Brat still has its pickup bed seats, along with about 80% of its original paint according to the seller. There is a small issue with a rust repair that needs to be addressed. The location and extent are not specified in the ad. The dash also has some cracks. On the good side, the truck has been the recent recipient of new drive axles and is advertised to be in running and driving condition. We are also told that the sum of $1,500 has been spent to get the truck back on the road and running. With 190,000 miles on the odometer, the new owner may need to spend a bit more in the future.
From there you can see that this truck looks like it rolled out of a late eighties time warp. The wear and tear, along with the vinyl seat covers and aftermarket stereo make it look like the vehicle parked next to you at the hardware store to pick up some incandescent bulbs and a long phone cord circa 1989. It is kind of neat in a way. Part of me would want to leave it just as it is. Maybe take it to a Radwood event just like you see it in the pictures.
Would you buy a modern version of the Brat? What would you do with this one? If you ever owned one, please tell us about it in the comments.
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Comments
Listing’s gone already.
Was there an asking price?
Really fun write-up Jeff. Successfully took me back to the 80’s.
A neighbor had one. I was gone from home and living in another state at the time, so I saw it only a couple times per year. I mostly remember how it didn’t take long for severe rust to appear.
My former girlfriend, Carol Ann, used to call me a brat…
PS but what does she call you now?
We lost track of each other over 40 years ago, and recently found out she passed away…
PS, sorry to hear that.
I got an older version single round eye brat. Love the thing. Even offered to trade another vehicle for a turbo Baja yesterday but no response. I’d like to put a 2.2 in the brat and let it rip. Still has the jump seats. These things used to be all over colorado but they are getting harder to find. Picked mine up for 300
I wanted one of these SO BAD when I was a teenager in the 80’s, I thought they were just the coolest little things on wheels. Someone in my neighborhood had a silver one that they bought brand new, but within 3 southwest PA winters it had pretty bad rust though. But I didn’t care, I still wanted it and would’ve bought it in an instant if I had the money. If I could find one in excellent condition these days, I’d buy it and immediately find a WRX in a junkyard and swap the entire powertrain and AWD system, because I’m pretty sure these only had about 80-90 horsepower from the factory. I bet it would be an absolute blast to drive with 230+ horsepower and modern AWD! I can envision a jdm restomod with modern suspension, brakes and horsepower and it would be a hit at any car show.
I consider myself lucky to have gone for a few rides in those rear jump seats! There were to grab handles for each seat as I remember. My uncles Brat was an early 80’s silver with blue interior. Cool little truck but the earth took it back lol. It was off the road before 1990, relegated to a make shift back yard track. It eventually died and rotted away as it sat.
This is some coincidence – I haven’t seen one of these in several years , which of course isn’t very strange due to the salty winter roads around here. But lo and behold when passing trough a T intersection one came along just yesterday!
Personally I’ve never had a thing for tiny Jap pickups however as a kid of the 80s I’ll admit that the Tamiya RC version is a sharp model
Didn’t know about the chicken tax.Interesting.One our customers at the shop had one in the late 80’s neat little vehicle the brats are cool and utilitarian. I’d drive as-is just take care of rust issues.Suburu engines are great once you replace the head gaskets with updated ones. Had an 02 legacy wagon and that thing was no race car but it would go thru snow like a billy goat up a mountain. Her head gaskets were replaced at 19k. Just got rid of it last year with 62 k.
Last fall, there were a pair of these for sale just outside of Cincinnati. One had a title, the other did not. Price was reasonable. Both were “project” or “parts”. They must have sold quickly, since the listing was taken down after a week. Great write-up, thank you!
I could be wrong. But I THINK the chicken tax was behind the beds of other Japanese trucks of the 70s early eighties being slightly “off” story I’ve always heard was they were shipped here with put the bed so they wouldn’t be sold as a truck ? The dealers added the bed. Is that correct
Awesome looking vehicle. Although I was too young at the time, I’m old enough to remember when the Subaru Brat was on the market. If only there were pics to show of the car. Sadly, Craigslist had them removed. Typical of craigslist, always removing pics so soon after posting the ad. I hope whoever buys this enjoys it.
Looking around I see no less than 5 vw beetles and a bus, a hanimog (sp?) and a set of 911s. The wide body has headlights and a crest on the hood in one pic but not in the others.
I owned a couple of Brats; solid, tough little vehicles. I’ve heard the original type was developed for Japanese forestry service use in the mountains, thus the 4WD and low gearing. I determined early on that removal of the rear seats allowed the remaining mounting frame to provide a perfect cradle for a half-barrel of beer. I did wish Subaru had made the gearing a little more fuel-friendly, maybe providing a four-speed. Really great little trucks, though.
Along the lines of tough little pickups, I purchased a Nissan (plain jane) pickup, installed AC (lived in Texas then) and a radio. I purchased it in 85, ran it for 10 years (only regular maintenance) and it ran like a top. I gave it up to Dale Hansen’s Cars for Kids program… almost cried when they came to get it.
Ok the only memory I have of any Subaru Brat, was from one of the many daze I spent out on Chappy in my 95 Wrangler. A family in a 90? Brat, of a mother and father and two kids, all seriously obese. After helping them by pulling them up off the beach I got to talking with them, actually very nice folks. The Brat was one of the final years with a two speed transfer, otherwise they could have never gone 100’ in the sand out on the beach, or some trails through the dunes. He had a lift kit, with oversized wide tires. But with ? At least 1,100-1,200 lbs of passengers, it was seriously challenged. Every time they got bogged down three of them would jump out and push to get moving again. By the time I came across you could easily smell the clutch! So I did come by as they were trying to get back to the road, all of them exhausted and the clutch not doing so great. I hooked my strap up, mentioned that one of them should ride with me, so the son did. Then I was able to pull them right out to the road, in low range, third gear at just above an idle. With a 4 cyl 5 speed Wrangler! The father liked it so much he traded the Brat in for one that week!