In Subaru lingo, I don’t think DL stands for “Decontented-Leone”, but that’s basically what the DL models were compared to the fancier GL hatchbacks, four-door sedans, BRATs, and station wagons. This 1980 Subaru DL wagon, sometimes known as a 1600 because of its 1.6-liter engine, is listed here on eBay in Denver, Colorado, and they’re asking $11,900. Thanks to Russell G. for the tip!
We got the first batch of Leone models in 1972, and buyers could choose between front-wheel drive and 4WD. I automatically think of Subarus as being 4WD or AWD, but this is a front-drive car, and a lot of them were in this era. The 4WD cars had a switch to select between the front wheels or all four wheels powering the car. As a DL, this one has two round headlights as opposed to four rectangular headlights on the fancier trim levels.
A few years ago, I had a rare-as-world-peace 1988 Subaru RX Turbo, 4WD, five-speed sedan, and it was fun to own, but I wasn’t sad to see it go as it was on the verge of needing repairs on a lot of undisclosed, hidden (painted-over) rust, bodywork, and other issues, unfortunately. We don’t know the condition of this DL wagon, but it appears to be as close to perfect as it gets. An odd and sometimes uncomfortable thing about the internet is that in researching this DL wagon, it came up as having been sold at a Mecum Auction in 2024 for a mere $6,600, and the seller is now asking $11,900. That’s the beauty of buying low and selling high, we’re all free to do that if we want to. I’ve always lost money when I sold a vehicle, so I’m horrible at it.
The interior looks like it’s right out of a brochure. I don’t see a flaw anywhere, and that’s amazing for a decades-old Subaru. The padded dash would normally be all cracked, the seats would be cracked, the steering wheel would be cracked, etc. Not so here; this car looks amazing. Even the rear cargo area looks like new. Power brakes would be standard equipment, even on the DL, with discs in the front, and the underside has been sprayed with something. That seems to be the trend these days. I’d always rather see things without having been covered up.
The clean engine is Subaru’s EA71, a 1.6-liter OHV boxer-four with 65 horsepower and 81 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s sent through a four-speed manual transmission to the front wheels. The seller doesn’t say how it works, but they give a couple of pages of an inspection report in the photos, and it looks like the only thing not working is the horn. Any thoughts on this front-drive Subaru wagon?
The condition of this Subaru could land it in a museum. Just look how clean under the hood is, look at the original paint on the air cleaner. And the interior too. I don’t know if its original but the whitewall on the the spare is really neat too. I don’t know about the price, but If you find the right buyer who really wants one, this is definitely the one to get. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a cleaner one. If I bought it, it would absolutely never be driven in any salt or snow, it would stay in the garage. This is a really nice find. Great write up too Scotty, I enjoyed it.
What’s the deal with these outfits who sell such rare beasts? Is it a consignment thing? Are they doing the Beverly Hills Car Club deal, paying finders?
If it went for 6k at B-J where the money flies,what makes him think he can get 11k where the money dosnt fly quite as easy?That aside,this would be a rare beast up here in Canada as those earlier Subaru’s didnt last long in our salted roads.they got substantially better as the years went on though and can now withstand our stupid road coating..lol.
I used to own a 1980 Subaru GL sedan. A little fancier than this DL but not much different though it did have a 5-speed transmission and air conditioning.
No underside photos… “Rustproofing” was not a word in Subaru’s vocabulary at the time. Prospective buyers will want to check carefully for the activity of the tinworm.
Those old pushrod Subaru engines didn’t make much power but they were pretty much bulletproof. Mine came from the factory with a non-catalyst engine. At the time Subaru used their “SEEC-T” emission control system that used exhaust pulses to pull fresh air into the exhaust stream to burn up excess hydrocarbons, with no air pump or catalytic converter needed.
With only 65 horsepower on tap you really could feel it when the AC compressor engaged! Turning on the AC could practically be used to slow the car down if the brakes failed.
65 hp, would be a sloth race against the new 1980 Datsun 310GX I had at the time, with a leisurely tie the most likely outcome. Every drive would be an adventure. Thanks, Scotty. Great C&C car.
I sold them new in Denver in 1980. I think the DL had vinyl seats, not cloth
I had an ’82 with the EA81 (1800cc) and a 5 speed. Coming from the air-cooled VW world, it seemed like a better “Wasserboxer” (water cooled boxer engine, flat 4) than VW tried themselves. I put 100k on it, got 33 MPG without really trying on open highway. (leave AC turned off!) The dang thing would turn off the electric fans at 75mph and leave them off on long runs, it was closer to air-cooled! Great car until some drunk decided to play pinball down a city street, and I was impact #1 or 2.
Museum quality example, underhood shot looks showrom!
Back in the day I had a new 80 in Alaska. It lasted about 6 years, & then rust slowly ate it away
This is a very clean Subaru that has survived the time and elements. Back in New Jersey during the 1980’s these things rusted away!
seller must have subaru love that they want to spread
!978 was when they started to put the cylinder sleeves permanent in block. Prior to that the sleeves would pull out and you had to put copper shims under them to get proper seal to head gasket the older engines were kind of a pain to work on.
The cloth seats are aftermarket. dL’s had vinyl seats. I sold them new in Denver in 1980
Thanks, Peter and nlpnt! I should have mentioned that, thanks for catching that.
It’s been reupholstered, the SUBARU embroidery on the seats is a dead giveaway.
1980 GL models had single square headlights, quads came in for 1982 on 2wds and 83 for 4wds, and by that time the DL inherited the single squares with only the 2wd-only base hatchback having roundies.
I’m familiar with the outfit selling this car, they are experts at detailing cars and taking nice photos. An in-person inspection is recommended.
Lovely looking car. If only more pics were posted. It would’ve been nice to see the interior and the engine.
Hi, Car Nut! Did you click on the eBay link in the first paragraph? The seller has loaded dozens of photos showing every square inch inside and out.