Subarus have a well-earned reputation for reliability and long lives, and this 1984 GL wagon is no exception. Despite being 37 years old this hardy wagon is still ready for more–so much so that the seller has decided not to use it as a first car beater for their stepson. The car is advertised right here on Barn Finds or here on eBay and is located in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Despite looking as clean as it does in the pictures, the seller has disclosed that there are a few dents and dings that are located on the driver’s door, right front fender, hood, and roof. Despite those blemishes, the car presents very well in what is almost assuredly its original coat of paint. These are the cars that Subaru built its reputation on; solid, dependable vehicles that just didn’t die. This one, however, has only covered 82,082 miles and looks like it could complete many more.
Of course, I’m pretty partial to the rear license plate choice here, but it’s also worth noting the shine on the chrome on both bumpers. The owner notes that the car was in Texas in 2009 and more than likely spent even more time there as it would surely have significant rust if it had lived in the DC area for long. Trivia note: “Subaru” is what you call the Pleiades star cluster in Japanese, (which despite being known as the “seven sisters”, traditionally one of them is invisible) and the stars also represent the companies that merged to create Subaru’s parent company FHI. Sounds a lot more interesting than the T for Toyota and H for Hyundai and Honda, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, this decal is a bit of a misnomer as the R12 air conditioning system is non-operative. It is a cool decal, though, but depending on where you live this may be a deal-breaker — it’s 90+ Fahrenheit as I write this in North Carolina and I’d hate to be in a non-air conditioned car today.
The seller describes the seat velour as in “great condition” although there is some fading on the carpet. Frankly, it’s rare to see an uncracked dash in an economy car this old, so the car must have been garaged during at least the majority of its time in Texas. The three-speed automatic is typical for the era, but surprisingly for a Subaru only drives the front wheels rather than all four. Of note — the headliner is in poor condition.
A mint-condition factory tool kit rounds out this offering. Sure, it’s not what most folks would consider a “classic”, but I’ll bet at least some of you have fond memories of a Subaru wagon like this. Mine, not so much — I grazed the tail light of one in college and had to pay for the new lens out of my shallow pockets!
Like most Subaru flat-four engines, there’s not a lot to see under the hood. In this case, it’s an 1800 cc engine that when new made 72 horsepower. And with an MSRP of $7,619, I’m sure there weren’t that many takers in 1984. So those of you that have them, please share your Subaru memories with fellow readers!
Not just the shine but the PRESENCE of chrome on the bumpers. That points to this car being 2wd. As part of the ’83 midcycle facelift Subaru graced the Leone series with fully black-rubber-clad bumpers with only a thin chrome strip insert. It wasn’t cost-effective to update the US-spec 5 mph bumpers so they were unchanged, but 4wd models being considered “light trucks” by NHTSA (even sedans and hardtop coupes!) were exempt from the bumper-basher.
That tool set is exactly like the set that came with Japanese motorcycles back then! Not exactly Snap-On, but they’ll do the trick if absolutely necessary.
My dad had a bunch of these. Always slow, but plenty reliable. My big gripe was the valve covers would leak onto the exhaust below, and then you had a slow car that smelled like burning oil inside, or was even smoky! So, out comes the motor to do valve cover gaskets. Seemed really stupid to me at the time, and I did the work. But they were good cars. No wonder I liked Hondas more back then…
I remember when these were everywhere until minivans hit the scene, right about ‘84-85.
The front end, the sill line following the hood line, and the wedge profile all scream “Giugiaro” to me as an old man who can look back on such things. But a quick online search shows that it doesn’t look like he designed this! Am I the only one who thinks that way?
I don’t have a personal vendetta against Subaru, but I do with people who buy them. I sold cars for ten years, and I never sold 1 to a Subaru owner. They came in, usually wearing Birkenstocks, and maybe in need of a bath, and extolling the virtues of their Subaru. I would point to the Blue Oval sign and tell them you are at a Ford store, why don’t you go to Subaru? It was like they just wanted to brag about their Subaru. I learned to avoid them like the plague. I never said anything disparaging about their car, but they were a miserable lot. I now do not like Subaru for that reason.
I get that BF is going to protect you because you send them money every month, but good lord do I wish there was an IGNORE feature on this site.
The absolute garbage you post, day in and day out, is astounding.
Well gee ace10, there is an ignore feature. Close your eyes.
Awesome looking car. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember when Subaru cars looked like this. It’s awesome to see an original survivor still roadworthy.
Amazing to see one of these now, here in CT. these were rotting away after 5 or 6 years
Just nice to see a “Suby ” on here !
The vintage ones mostly rust decayed away they say !
I owned a 79 m really cute deep burgandy red with pen stripes 4×4
AC ! what a puddle jumper slowby !
That last photo shows not only the engine, but that the spare tire is missing from its “well” in the engine compartment. Space efficiency AND some additional cushion in the crumple zone!
NHDave, the spare tire is included, just wanted to show more of the rust free engine compartment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115986104@N05/albums/72157719479959581
And it would be an impressive looking engine compartment for a ten year old car, let alone a 37 year old car! Nicely preserved Subaru!
I kinda inherited a 84’ Subaru GL-10. Not bad it was a 5-speed loaded with options including sunroof, power windows. locks, digital dash and cruise control. Towards the end one of the spark plug’s would pop out and I’d have to stop and tighten back in.
I bought an 82 Subaru GLF one Saturday night at a party sight unseen for.$25 dollars and it just needs a clutch the guy tells me so the next morning we make our way to where the car was stranded and it looked great . It’s a light cream colored 2door fwd drive only sporty looking little car . So we proceed to pry the motor and tranny apart right there enough to unbolt the clutch pressure plate and slide the worn clutch out. Being Sunday and nothing open back then we headed to our local junkyard and found a decent looking clutch the same.size I can’t remember what it came out of but it wasn’t a Subaru maybe a pony so we proceeded to install it and put everything back together. Sometime Sunday afternoon we fired it up and I drove that 25 dollar car as hard as anyone could for next year and a half before giving it back to the same buddy who sold it to me when he needed a car. I dont remember having to do any repairs the entire time I had it not even an oil change. I do remember a unique to me anti roll back mechanism for when you push the clutch pedal down when on a hill .. it was basically a bicycle type brake cable that ran back to one of the shoes in the back drum brakes but worked really well. So yes these were really simple but well built tough little cars. I’d.buy another one for $25 any day
Didn’t like my Subaru comment, eh? That’s a shame.
I got bipped on my comment after yours too Howard, in hindsight it was the best for all involved.
Just an observation not a condemnation, a few times I have written a snarky comment, and the computer didn’t upload it and it got erased. I was thankful afterwards because it was a little mean and unnecessary . Howard A, I usually like your comments and your knowledge of automobiles is vast. But when you start dealing with certain subjects, you are going to get an earful. It’s usually because of their insecurities, some people can’t handle the truth. Happy 4th everyone.
SOLD for $3,000