Photos by Corey Behrens from the CC Cohort.
Someone is a fan of their BRATs in this Colorado neighborhood, with a rough-looking pair that seems to still be in use. I know we’ve had a good share of these unique Subaru products at CC over the years, but how to resist this pair? For one, as with all things, they’re becoming rare; never mind the long-lasting qualities of Subarus of this era. Then, while the BRAT’s concept is fairly simple in execution (Let’s add some plastic jump seats on the trucklet’s small bed!), it’s been one memorable product. Once you’ve seen one, you never forget it.
Not much has changed on this pair of BRATS since the 1980s, other than the apparent later alloys in this one. And well, the passage of time that it’s obvious on both.
But if recall correctly, the hue is original and period correct on this survivor. And that oh-so-1980s camper almost has me longing for my Sanyo Walkman. If I only knew if those BRATty seats were still in place…
Oh, there they are! Dusty, but still there!
The whole concept may sound strange nowadays, but back in the ’80s, I spent countless hours riding on the bed of a Hyundai Pony pickup (Yes, there was such a thing). And this set up would have felt like true luxury against the bare metal I had to put up with during those trips.
Not that Subaru of America’s thinking behind the BRAT was truly motivated by such needs, but rather to get around the punitive Chicken Tax applied on import light trucks at the time. Stuff that’s been discussed in more detail in previous CC posts (links below).
With its period graphics, tall camper, and T-top still in place, this BRAT is peak 1980s for me. And the model’s 4WD set up sounded truly exotic back then.
The black one looks slightly sinister with its color-coordinated camper. But I guess its owner likes such add-ons to fit in color-wise.
Talking about color-coordination, that dark hue seems to have been added later on. Or haphazardly applied. Or so the cracking thick paint seems to imply.
On the other hand, the rims seem period correct on this one.
Enough of a tour around this BRATty pair. The ’90s Dodge Ram truck sort of breaks the Subaru theme of this curbside, with its blunt mug being closer to that of a thug rather than that of a brat. Still, they all make for a street full of rides with character, from the bratty to the tough.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1982 Subaru BRAT – The Young Man’s Choice Of Pickup In Those Terrible Times
Trailhead Classic: 1978 Subaru BRAT – Subie Doo
Curbside Capsule: Subaru Brumby – Wild Horses Could Drag You
Curbside Classic: 1981 Subaru BRAT With Third Eye “Passing Lamp” – A Brief Passing Fad
Looks like Silver Plume, CO on I-70 above Georgetown. Brats a good choice for workers at the Loveland Ski Area at the East end of the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel.
Useless BRAT fact of the day…
BRATs (and other Subaru models) had an unusually large lug bolt pattern. The only other car in the US with a similar hubs was a Peugeot (504? 505? Both?) If you wanted to upgrade your Subaru to 14″ or 15″ wheels, it was pretty common to head to the wreckers for a set of Peugeot wheels.
I remember these in droves in the self service junkyards, it seems the young hip folks who bought them couldn’t be bothered to change the timing belts so many expired in a very short time .
-Nate
These two Subies had EA81 pushrod engines-no belts, one reason these were so dang reliable
I worked in a subie dealership in early 90 when there were stil some Brats around.
We had one as a shop truck.
I took it to tech school in PDX in December and the carb iced up so i had to jam the choke down to get home.
I think the alloy rims are of a high trim GL
This one was in a car show. I had an ’86 GL wagon, same drivetrain I believe. Being truly 4WD, It had a lever on the floor to engage it.
Photo wouldn’t attach.
They need to be JPEG format, no bigger than 1,200 px in height or width.
Thanks – trying again.
Thanks again Aaron! it worked when I reduced the file size. Didn’t want to chance it by attaching 2 photos in 1 post. This is pretty much identical to my white ’86 under the hood.