A long term project of ours, the 1985 Subaru Brat GL.
We found this Brat in 2011 near the town of North Bend, WA.
The original EA81 engine had thrown a rod, after 369000 miles, (and most likely some neglect from the P.O.) and needed a new engine donor.
Luckily, Dad had a spare EA81 engine from a 1982 Subaru Wagon, it only needed to be rebuilt.
We had the Engine prepped for rebuild; heads resurfaced, cylinders bored up, new 0.50 over stock size pistons, new camshaft, new bearings, etc.
We assembled the Engine and Started the car for the First time.
This Brat still uses the original Hitachi Carburetor.
The CV axles were replaced along with the Brakes.
You can hear the EA81 Boxer Engine Sound as we cruise the Brat around...
Also shows some of the visual changes that happened over the years...
Hanging out at the 2012 West Coast Subaru Show (WCSS) and hanging out with others that have cool old cars...
More of this Brat and other Classic cars to come.
I do not own rights to the brands shown in the film, however they are my belongings and can be used as I please.
Some general information about the Subaru Brat if you would like to know:
The name BRAT is an acronym from Subaru, it means Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter.
Our '85 is a Second Generation Brat, there were only two generations.
The First Generation Brat was introduced in 1978, it was powered by the EA71 Engine and had Single Range 4WD. The EA71 Engine is a 1600cc (1.6L) Boxer Engine.
1981 marked the End of Production for the First Generation Brat.
For the last year of the 1st Generation Brat ('81) it was available with the EA81 Engine and Dual Range 4WD on GL trim models.
The EA81 Engine is a 1800cc (1.8L) Boxer Engine.
1982 was the first year of the 2nd GEN Brat, all 2nd GEN Brats use a variant of the EA81 Engine. The GL trim model 2nd GEN Brats were available with Subaru's version of T-Tops, called "Fun Tops" or "Twin Halo Moon Roofs". The GL model also came with Dual Range 4WD. The DL trim model 2nd GEN Brats did not have the Fun Tops, and had Single Range 4WD.
All Manual Transmission Brats were 4 Speeds. There was also an optional Automatic Transmission for the Brat; it was a 3 Speed AT with Single Range Push Button 4WD.
1985 was the last year that the Brat was offered with the "Jump Seats" in the Bed, as our Brat has. These Rearward facing Seats in the Bed helped Subaru dodge the "Chicken Tax" that was placed on all Imported Pickup Trucks to the United States. Technically, the Brat was a Four Seater Passenger Vehicle, and not Licensed as a Truck. The United States was the only place that received the Jump Seats because of this...
1986 and 1987 were the final years of the Brat being sold in the United States, and did not have Jump Seats. These Brats are Licensed as Two Seater Trucks.
In other parts of the World, the Subaru Brat Pickup was sold under different names:
In Australia it was known as the Brumby or sometimes the Shifter.
I've heard that the "Shifter" was the only Brat variant that came without 4WD (a FWD ONLY variant).
In the United Kingdom it was called the 284 or sometimes the MV.
Some regions called it the Targa or simply the Subaru Pickup Truck.
Whatever name it wore, the Brat was only exported from Japan, and was not available in their Japanese market. (JDM)