The Subaru BRAT was a small, 4X4 utility coupe (“ute”) that also served as a pickup truck. Built across two generations, it was in production from 1978 to 1994. To avoid a higher import tariff, it came with two seats in the bed that enabled it to be classified as a passenger car rather than a truck. This nice example from 1981 wears newer paint and seems to be in good condition, especially for 226,000 miles. You, too, can have some off-road fun by venturing to Monroe, Washington, and taking this one home. It’s available here on eBay for $9,500 OBO.
Who can guess what “BRAT” stands for (besides the obvious)? If you said, Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter, you would be right! It was based on a station wagon called the Leone (which I don’t think was ever sold in the U.S.). Though America was a target market, BRATs were sold in other areas and were named the Brumby, MV Pickup, or Shifter depending on where you called home. We understand that the project originated in the States, developed at the request of the head of Subaru operations in the U.S.
Subaru managed to sell these vehicles at affordable prices in the U.S. by avoiding the so-called “Chicken Tax” which imposed a duty of 25% on light-duty trucks. By sticking a pair of seats in the bed, Subaru was able to cut that by 90% to the amount charged for passenger cars. The seller’s ’81 BRAT is the GL model which means it came with a little extra in the trim department. We’re told it’s rarer than most BRATs because it has dual range 4X4, which indicates it also has low-range 4-wheel-drive for climbing mountains.
We’re told this truck runs great, thanks to some new parts which include the front axles and starter. The tires are also new and mounted on the original wheels which have been powder-coated (that may have been when the whole truck was repainted last year). The seller says the Subaru comes with a new carpet kit which implies the buyer will handle installation. You don’t see these things much anymore, and especially as nice as this one appears to be. Who’s ready for some off-roading?!
Had a ride in the back of one many moons ago. Insane ride. That driver combined with that ute was a blast!
CT Dave
Normally not a fan of attention-grabbing colours, but that shade of green really works on that machine.
That’s a color that stands out, you can park in one of those mall parking lots and you can see it if it’s parked a mile away, even from outer space
I’m not a fan of Subarus, but the BRAT has always been appealing to me.
We did get Subaru Leone wagons and other body styles here, of this generation and later, tho’ they were badged as simply Subarus in various trim level designations (DL, GL, GL-10, etc.) that kinda-sorta doubled as model names. They only got the proper model name Loyale here midway through the 3rd-gen, to distinguish them from the new, larger and posher Legacy model.
Anyway, that’s why importing the BRAT made any sense, as it was mechanically (and bodily from the B-pillars forward) mostly identical to their other models also sold here.
The chicken tax was dumb, but more than that, corruption. European small chicken farmers were being devastated by the already too big, chicken producers in this country. So a tariff it was added, but what did we do in response? Something, like talk it out, try to reason with ConAgra? Nope, they appeased big donors, AKA, Detroit. What happened was, American producers got to keep over charging for less modern pickups. We all suffered via lack of competition. We might have had truly better cars from America sooner if they had been made to compete with better engineering. Also, I might add, In Japan and Europe, that is where the small trucks were coming from at the time. No low cost countries as is the case today. Pure, free trade, where the best product wins. Not like we have today, where the already overly wealth, have products made in cheap labor places, then charge full price here, and laugh all the way to the bank. Funny how the powers that be, didn’t appreciate free trade back then, but do now when it is detrimental to our common folk.
Great vehicles. I had the wagon version with a 5 speed, it would run at hi-way speeds with the fan turned off, getting 32 mpg. These were the lightweight approach to 4WD.
These were ubiquitous around New England back in the day. I recall having a ride in the back of one of these a couple times with a co-worker. Not fun in January in Boston.
Bought a BRAT brand new in 1978, $4,500. Mine was red and you couldn’t buy a more fun vehicle. Couldn’t break it either. Although Wisconsin winters finally did it in.
The dreaded tin worm finally ate its way through the unibody, eh?
Yes it was horrible
Was that an original color? I kinda knew the seats were a tariff-avoidance ploy, but here are the facts from WIkipedia: “The seats were a ploy to circumvent a punitive tariff on light trucks known as the Chicken tax. The plastic seats in the cargo bed allowed Subaru to classify the BRAT as a passenger car, rather than as a light truck. This significantly reduced the costs of importing BRATS to North America, as passenger cars were charged a 2.5% import tariff, while light trucks were charged a ten times higher 25% import tariff.”
Riding in the back is like getting on a teeter totter or seesaw, you have to trust the guy(s) you are riding with. I’d sure enjoy this toy.
Lovely looking Brat. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember these interesting vehicles. I had a neighbour when I was a boy whose father drove one.
oh joy !
Something like this would be fun to buy today. Although I’m probably in the minority. Cool BRAT.
Good friend of mine bought one of the first Brats sold in the Seattle area. He had to put down a deposit and take the next available vehicle. He could choose one color he did not want. Other than that, the next one was his, or he forfeited his deposit. He got it in August of ‘77. He paid $3800, drove it 38k over the next two years- and sold it for $3800. It was a blast! Underpowered, and you could get in trouble with no low range, but it climbed hills like a Billy Goat.
Not a bad looking off road toy. I was never a fan but I kinda like this one. Looks clean. I wonder how scarce the parts are. If it was on the east coast I would grab it and give it a good beating
Wonder what is wrapped around the exhaust pipe in gallery pic 23.
That’s that exhaust wrap for quick fixes. Probably why it sounds a little like a diesel in the video!