Do you remember the little Subaru BRAT? But do you recall what the name was an abbreviation for? If you came up with “Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter”, you get to move to the head of the class. These little trucks were developed in Japan for the export market, largely the U.S. and Canada, and were never sold on their home turf. This one from 1985 looks to be in good condition but has an engine knock that prevents it from being a daily driver. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this pint-size pickup is available here on eBay where the no reserve auction stands at $2,050.
The BRAT is classified as a light duty, four-wheel drive coupé utility vehicle that was marketed from 1978 to 1994 (in the U.S. only through 1987). It was developed at the request of Subaru of America to capitalize on the demand for small trucks that Toyota, Nissan and Mazda were already enjoying. Unlike their competitors, all BRATs came with 4WD that was borrowed from Subaru’s existing Leone station wagon. BRAT’s that were destined for North America had rear-facing jump seats that were welded into the cargo bed. This was done to avoid additional tariffs by being able to classify the vehicle as a passenger car instead of a truck. That reduced the incoming ante from 25% to 2.5%. The seller’s truck has since had those seats removed.
This ’85 BRAT has certainly seen its fair share of turf by accumulating more than 227,000 miles on the odometer. That no doubt led to the biggest problem the truck seems to have – a bad motor. Due to a loud knock, the 1.8-liter, inline-4 is only running on three cylinders which suggests an overhaul is needed. On the other hand, the 4-speed manual transmission is said to be fine. This BRAT is a GL model, which we believe only adds trim to the vehicle and not anything mechanical.
While the body looks good, I’m not sure the blue paint is as “amazing” as the seller believes, but very presentable. The plastic/rubber parts associated with the bumpers are nicked and faded and the bed looks scratched from hauling stuff all these years. But rust doesn’t appear to be a problem, so once you fixed the engine, you could begin using it immediately.
This truck comes with optional T-tops of which no mention is made whether they have ever leaked. We’re told the interior is in good condition except for a cracked dashboard, but no interior photos are provided. The passengers appear to be treated to bucket seats, but that’s just a guess. One of the options you could have ordered was to relocate the spare tire under the hood, but we don’t know if that’s the case here.
As a bit of trivia, former President Ronald Reagan owned a 1978 BRAT which was kept at his ranch near Santa Barbara, California. We’re told the vehicle has since been restored and returned to the ranch which is now owned by the Young America’s Foundation. Hagerty pegs the average resale value of the BRATS to be less than $10,000, so if the bidding doesn’t go to high this might be a nice catch for someone.
Can you still say “Bi-Drive”?
No, it’s now “Drive-fluid”
Glad I checked. It’s tough to keep up these days. Thanks
BRATs like all modern Subarus have a boxer/flat four, not an inline four 😉
Where’s the interior pics???????
Not an inline 4. Subarus are boxer flat fours and are very low which made the STANDARD on Brat spare tire over the engine possible I owned several and best them until the bodies rotted but they were all tough and reliable and very easy to work on
Nice looking truck. Although I was too young to drive at the time, I remember when the Subaru BRAT was on the market. If only interior pics were posted of this BRAT.
Brats were fairly nice-looking cars before they added all the cladding and gingerbread.
Best thing to ever happen to BRAT value was Jaime Pressly!
Our family started to own various Subies in the early 1970s.
As I recall every one of them came from the factory with the spare tire under the hood, and no where else.
Until the Justy came out I believe that all Subies were the flat opposed 4 engines, I think the Justy was an inline 3 cyl. engine. (maybe someone else knows for sure?)
The biggest drawback to the flat four engines was the lack of torque, you really had to flog the engines to keep moving at a decent pace. Can recall my Dad doing 50 mph in 2nd gear in the Colorado mountains, going uphill.
The little engine could not pull the car without bogging down in 3rd gear, but in 2nd gear that motor would be buzzing like a mess of angry bees.
Despite being abused like this, for some reason my old man never hurt or blew up any of his Subies…maybe he was just lucky?
Also if memory serves right, the rear seats in the Brats were bolt in, not welded, but could be wrong on that also. (It’s been a long time.)
Nice looking ride here, but the T tops look a little concerning, especially with what appears to be some of the weatherstrip gaskets missing. Always prefer the solid roof over the T tops, water leaks are no fun.
The one my dad had .. 1977 stage 1 wagon, was so quick I was passing all my friends with mundane Chevys and fords , unfortunately they had a high center of gravity and I rolled my dads going 10 mph after hitting a small abutment on the side of the road, I thought It was a freak situation and when in collage that year I told one of my teachers what happened and he laughed and said he rolled his over when he slid sideways in the snow (not quite used to front wheel drive ) and the snow stopped and dry pavement made him roll some absurd amount of time. Then another student overheard the conversation saying he rolled his too.. if there were 3 of us in one class I would imagine it was a problem that never really came to light unlike the Suzuki Samurai debacle .
BRAT-Worst
My family had a bunch of subarus when they were new , the problem with the engine is its all aluminum and can be rebuilt but are very difficult to… so look for another motor ,, it ain’t 1985… better get a Delorean too to find one
A good friend bought one new back in the day…thought it was kinda neat.A bunch of us got our CC licenses then,my buddy did too.He was on a date when he was showing off his 357,which accidently discharged and blew half his head off.RIP,Billy L.
My old girl friend Carol Ann used to call me a brat…
Driver must be 5’7″ Or shorter to maneuver this beast. A friend made the worlds 1st side by side out of a Subie Snot I mean Brat.