Compact Pickup

More... · 1978-1987

Subaru BRAT

The Subaru BRAT was a four-wheel-drive coupé utility based on the Leone, sold in the US from 1978 to 1987. Its rear-facing bed seats dodged the chicken tax, and its Targa-style roof panels and quirky look have made it a cult classic.

Years
1978-1987
Drivetrain
4WD (all BRATs)
Engines
1.6 L EA-71 OHV flat-4 · 1.8 L EA-81 flat-4 · 1.8 L EA-81 turbo
Sold in
US · Canada · Australia (Brumby)

Spec sheet

Production
1978–1987

Built in Japan from 1978 to 1994.

Assembly
  • Ōta, Gunma, Japan
Sold in
  • US
  • Canada
  • Australia (Brumby)
  • UK (MV / Shifter)
  • NZ
Codes
  • A33/A34/A67 (Gen I)
  • Based on Leone
Body styles
  • 2-door coupé utility
Drivetrains
  • 4WD (all BRATs)
Transmissions
  • 4-speed manual
  • 5-speed (later; not listed by the EPA for US MY1984-1987)
  • 3-speed automatic (MY1984-1985; the only gearbox with the 1984 turbo)
Trims
  • DL
  • GL
  • Targa top
Wheelbase
96.7 in
Length
157.3 in
Width
59.1 in
Curb weight
775 kg (1,709 lb) (Gen I)

Engines

EngineDisp.ConfigHPYearsNotes
1.6 L EA-71 OHV flat-41.6 LH41978-1981
1.8 L EA-81 flat-41.8 LH41981+
1.8 L EA-81 turbo1.8 LH4 turbo941983-1984optional; with 3-speed automatic

Related

Successor

Overview

Developed in Japan in 1977 at the request of Subaru of America's president, the BRAT was designed to compete with Toyota, Nissan and Mazda small trucks. Unlike those, every BRAT had four-wheel drive since it was based on the Leone wagon.

North American trucks carried two welded-in, rear-facing plastic jump seats in the cargo bed - a workaround that classified the vehicle as a passenger car and cut the import tariff from 25% to 2.5%. The seats were discontinued after the mid-1980s. Power came from a 1.6-liter and later 1.8-liter flat-four, with an optional 94-hp turbo on 1983-84 models paired with an automatic.

The BRAT was restyled in 1981. It was known as the Brumby in Australia and NZ and as the MV Pickup or Shifter in the UK; US imports ended in 1987 although production in Japan continued to 1994.

Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains

Trims

  • DL
  • GL
  • Targa top

Cab and bed

  • Body styles: 2-door coupé utility

Drivetrain and transmissions

  • Drivetrains: 4WD (all BRATs)
  • 4-speed manual
  • 5-speed (later; not listed by the EPA for US MY1984-1987)
  • 3-speed automatic (MY1984-1985; the only gearbox with the 1984 turbo)

Highlights

  • All BRATs were four-wheel drive, derived from the Leone wagon
  • Rear-facing plastic jump seats in the bed classified it as a passenger car to avoid the 25% chicken tax (discontinued after 1985-86)
  • Targa-style removable roof panels
  • Designed by Alex Tremulis (Gen I)
  • Not sold in Japan

Sources