This 1986 Subaru BRAT is a GL model and it’s past the point of having the cool “Cyclops” center passing headlight by a few years, but this one does have jump seats in the back, oddly enough. The seller has it listed here on eBay in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina and there is an unmet opening bid price of $5,000 that hasn’t been clicked on yet. Even at that price, the reserve won’t be met.
This BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) appears to be loaded – although the seller says that the AC isn’t currently working and the fan speed only works on high. T-Tops are a nice way to get the wind in your toupee without having a drop-top. If I had time, I’d do a quick Photoshop version of a convertible BRAT, just for the heck of it. And, maybe a four-door version, because they only came in a two-door body style, of course.
I just a fairly rare yellow Subaru Baja this morning, the updated version of the BRAT, although they’re almost two decades old now. Subaru offered the BRAT from 1978 through 1994 in various markets, and the infamous rear jump seats were meant to take advantage of a loophole in the tax law referred to as the chicken tax, whereby with the added seats, Subaru could claim that the BRAT was a four-seater and not a small pickup and thus get away from the added tax that import pickup buyers were forced to pay. The jump seats supposedly went away after 1985, but this one is a 1986 and it has them. The seller has the headrests, by the way.
The seats inside look great, if not factory, and maybe a bit fancy for a BRAT, with matching fabric on the shift boot. Overall, this 4×4 looks great, just nice enough but not so nice that you’d be afraid to drive it offroad or, gasp, in the snow. The seller has uploaded a few underside photos and it looks pretty solid, other than the usual surface rust. One neato (as no BRAT owner said, ever) feature is retractable steps in the side of the bed (on the passenger side, the driver’s side was for looks only) so a person can stick their foot in there and get into the back.
The engine would benefit from two hours of detailing but it looks pretty nice as it is. It should be Subaru’s EA-81, a 1.8-liter boxer-four, which would have had 73 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. The seller says that it runs and drives great and it looks great to me. Hagerty is fairly bullish on BRATs, with a #3 good-condition model being worth $10,200 and a #2 excellent car being $19,400, so depending on the seller’s reserve, this is one to watch. Let’s hear those BRAT stories!
I like it! Reasonably priced and well presented.
I guess I missed the price, what is reasonable? I’ve wanted one of these things since I was a kid, but living up north, they all pretty much turned into dust. For me, this could only be a summer car and for $10k+, I could find something much more enjoyable.
I preferred American muscle cars over quirky imports when these were new, but I’ve always liked the BRAT. 5 speed and the T tops are definitely positive. Don’t care about the seats in the back, but I know some Subie devotees love them. Interior is hideous and would have to go.
This one is close enough to make me think about checking it out, but the starting bid is above what I would consider paying for it. Condition is generally good, but AC out of service, body and paint damage, and seat covers and shift boot needing replacement IMMEDIATELY are all negatives. Maybe $3,500 if it runs good, sounds good, and feels good on the road. I am sure there is some Subie fanatic that will value it more than me.
I’ve always been a fan of the Brat, probably one of the more collectible Subies out there but I worry about its ability to survive as a collector. I’m not sure if it’s a parts availability issue or a rust issue but they all appeared on the road and then disappeared just as fast. I’d like to find one that is a good builder quality or a total restoration but it’s got to be able to stick around for a while.
There are devotees for almost every car made, and this one is as good or better than any. It’s an early 4 wheel drive concept, flat four, easy on gas , and low in surviver numbers. American muscle is great as I have had big iron many times, but it sure is boring to see and drive after my 50 years of it compared to something like this. Get over it and realize the future of desirability.
Google “Reagan BRAT”, it’s a cool story.
What is this commented directed at ?
This comment is directed at everyone who posts on Barn Finds- me included. Too much off topic political conversation (not allowed per the rules) occurring here lately, ruining the site. There are plenty of other venues for those conversations. So this was just a subtle reminder for those who forgot or weren’t aware.
Let’s all stick to cars and the roles that they have played in our lives. I would think that we all will have a much better time here as a result.
Great for a toad to an RV.
I saw a comment of $3500 if it runs good. I agree with that fella. That’s tops for me and I always loved these older Subaru’s. These brats were Kool. A family member had a reg 4 door turbo 5 speed 4wd GL. A real 4wd transfer case. Lo n hi. I got to drive it here n there. No, not a powerhouse by today’s standards but seriously does every car need 300HP?? Nope. Unstoppable 4wd! After sliding in ice n snow down a huge ditch into a farm field buried but deep in snow. I returned the car to the family member and said don’t ever worry about getting stuck! Undamaged of course! But I said don’t worry about getting stuck. I was asked what do u mean? I repeated myself and left it alone.
I miss vehicles such as the GL and this brat. Screw these new pieces of junk they make.
In Aus, there were called Brubies. My favourite Subaru.
Always wanted one, but alas, due to having kids, I had 2 L wagons instead. (Jump seats were not offered in Aus, as it was/is illegal to ride in the tray.)
Now I’m old, and single, I want one again, but not at $20,000 aus. Yep what there worth over here.