While not the most exciting car, or the most handsome, the fastest, the nicest, or… wait, where was I going with this again? Oh yeah, this 1980 Subaru DL Hatchback might not be a dusty muscle car, but it’s an interesting and rarely seen little commuter with a 5-speed manual for not much money. It’s posted here on craigslist in Broomfield, Colorado, and the seller is asking $3,400. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mike F. for the tip!
Not to mention, this little front-drive Subaru is 46 years old now. Sadly, it does have some body rust as shown in the photos, but the seller says the frame and floors are solid. I can’t imagine anyone restoring this car, but if it had 4WD, it would be a worthy project for Cars & Coffee events, if not just for regular driving duties. For some reason, the badge on the left side of the hatchback has been removed.
It would be a labor of love to restore this 2WD Subaru, but hopefully someone will take it on. This example doesn’t have the infamous “Cyclops” center headlight, even though they were available on the 1980 through ’82 Subarus. They only came on the BRAT and GL models, and the hatchback wasn’t available in a GL for 1980, at least according to the last page of this 1980 Subaru brochure. The color looks like a sage green to me, but it has to be Shadow Beige Metallic.
The interior has seen better days as well. Since I’m not currently in vehicle-buying mode, I’m not trying to talk myself out of this one; I’m just calling it as I see it. The dash is cracked, the driver’s seat needs work, the steering wheel is disappointingly dirty (why not clean and detail a vehicle before trying to sell it?), and there may be other issues. The back seat looks perfect, other than the tops of the seats, which have also been subjected to too much sun. The rear cargo area looks good.
Sadly, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood to show us the engine. Back to square one, after having recent good luck with craigslist and facebook listings showing engine photos. This one should have Subaru’s EA-71, a 1.6-liter OHV boxer-four with 68 horsepower and 81 lb-ft of torque when new. Passing through a 5-speed manual, it sends power to the front wheels, and the seller says it runs and drives “very well.” Would any of you use this little Subaru as a daily commuter car?
This is trip back in time. We had a local Subaru dealer in my town growing up, who’s still in business. ( New location same area) . These, in 2WD form were around. It’s a shame that there’s some rust starting on the fender and quarter panel, but if you think of it, its pretty well preserved, right down to the 13 inch steel rims with the period correct narrow whitewalls on it. This is a neat find, hats off to Mike F. For the find, I enjoyed this Scotty.