#subaruleone

Subaru 4WD wagons - 1971-1989 #subaru #subaruleone #subaruwagon https://www.instagram.com/p/BrsB8CilfUF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a4gb569v99ma

With Datsun and Toyota’s small trucks selling like air conditioners in a heat wave and Ford and GM getting in on the action with rebadged Mazdas and Isuzus, U.S. Subaru dealers clamored for something similar. They got the charismatic #SubaruBRAT (Bi-Drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter), introduced in 1977 to great success. But it wouldn’t have happened if not for Subaru’s original 4WD wagon; first created, according to Subaru of America co-founder and longtime chief Harvey Lamm, for Japan’s forest service. - The origins of the BRAT lay in the #SubaruLeone 4WD wagon. The first volume production 4WD car, it debuted for Japan in late 1972. According to Lamm, Subaru intended to sell about 3,000 JDM units a year, but he lobbied hard to have the car come stateside - correctly guessing it would give Subaru a unique niche. Fuji Heavy industries granted Lamm’s request and was rewarded with more than 10,000 units sold in its first year in the U.S. (1975). - Next step? Another unique model. Subaru’s idea for a truck was novel and simple - make a pickup shell for the circa-1971 Leone design and equip it with all the mechanical bits of the 4WD Wagon. The BRAT’s bed was a little smaller than the competition’s since the Leone was a unibody, but still reasonably capacious. Two tiny jump seats in the bed helped the vehicle skirt the #ChickenTax. - In those days, Subarus were “Inexpensive, and built to stay that way,” which often meant few frills. But there was a long options list of accessories, some of which are seen here. At first a U.S. exclusive, BRATs only got the largest Leone engines, starting with a 1.6 liter EA71 flat four with ~68 hp. Not much, but the BRAT was light, agile, and utilitarian. Sales were encouraging but the BRAT never did steal much market share from the other imported trucks. - When the original Leone was replaced in 1979, the BRAT continued to use the old car’s body and mechanicals into 1981 (gaining a more powerful 1.8 liter EA81 version of the engine), only being restyled to match the newer Leone in mid-1982. U.S. interest in such cars flagged in the 80s, but the 2nd-gen BRAT was sold in other markets until 1993 under various other names. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByaOUFLgkZP/?igshid=ju91tf1919bt

Concours perfect cars are nice, but this is a classic #Subaru as it was meant to be used - driven hard and put away wet. Rare Hatches and Turbos aside, the Mk3 #SubaruLeone - known in the U.S. initially as the DL/GL and after 1989 the #SubaruLoyale, was always meant as a worker bee - but it drew on Subaru’s 4WD experience, still a novelty then, and added a larger, more modern looking shell and loads of new tech. Introduced in late 1984, it would serve Subaru for a decade. - The 1980 Mk2 Leone had been larger and more refined than the original 1971-79, and so too was the Mk3 vis-a-vis the Mk2. The Mk3 was longer, lower, and wider and sharply angular. Inside there was a more modern interior, sometimes with a digital dash; underneath the OHC EA82 1.8L flat four replaced the OHV EA81 (other markets got a 1.3 and a 1.6). EA82s needed more care than EA81s, but were still good for 200K+. The BRAT and 3-dr hatch continued in their Mk2 forms for 1985-87 (a sleek Mk3 hatch arrived in '87); the slow-selling GF hardtop was replaced by the XT Coupe. - The most popular variant was, as before, the #wagon. Minivans had arrived and bitten into big wagon sales, but that didn’t effect Subaru. In 1985, the Subaru had the best selling station wagon in America - its rep for durability and available 4WD were major selling points. In the 70s and 80s, Subarus were often touted for their off road and snow driving prowess and the bragging was legit. During the life of the Mk3, the 4WD system would be extended to the rest of the DL/GL line and a few would get a rarely-seen electro-pneumatic adjustable suspension. - The only trouble was that the car was a little too close to the Camry, though it offered no AWD or wagon. When the V20 Camry arrived in 1986, however, the 2-year old Subaru looked older; and Toyota began offering an All-Trac AWD Camry in 1988. Sales declined and then plateaued until the arrival of the 1995 Outback; but the cars were still rock solid. - The car was renamed Loyale when the excellent Mk1 Legacy debuted in 1989, but die-hards still liked it. It remained on sale into 1994 (just wagons that year), 5 years after the Legacy had arrived and 2 years after the Impreza. https://www.instagram.com/oldmotors/p/Bt07jiCFbrU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p6w3m1a5l5zw

It's Sunday morning! Off we go to what might be one of the final JCCA classic car meets to be held. Old cars only. With pedals and levers and leaks and smells. You know, real cars 😅✌️ #subaruleone #jcca2019 #oldcarlife (at Okachimachi Station) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtHrcCiAPWvo4ZY9yMG1TEXTwrhuKBuRKy51Lo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j5ulk6bvrvj8

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/1978-subaru-dl-2-door-sedan/6773033548.html These are two of the project cars I have finished and available for sale currently :: 1978 Subaru DL 2 Door Sedan. (Leone in Japan). This is a California car, first sold at Subaru of Pasadena. It has 77,000 original miles and it is equipped with an automatic transmission and air-conditioning. The car runs great and strong. It's is 99% original down to the correct vinyl in the seat inserts. The paint is the one it left the factory with, and while thin in a couple spots, it shines bright and would be a shame to refinish. I am a professional car designer with a background designing for Nissan, Peugeot, Volvo and Subaru. My hobby is to find obscure, forgotten cars that are diamonds in the rough and bring them back to their factory condition, as close as possible without losing original details. This particular car is currently on a non-op permit with no back fees. Something kind of interesting about this Subaru: I've owned it twice in my life now. Once, over a decade ago while I was designing for Nissan, I did most of the deep cleaning and restoration with the resources of the design studio. Then, a few years ago while I was competing on a reality TV show for car design, a viewer who saw me realized he had the very car are used to own. (My name was on some paper work in the glove box.) He contacted me because I had created a scholarship for LGBT students and GAVE the car back to me. This is a special car, and I would like to see it go to a great new custodian who will appreciate it like I have. There just aren't too many of these left in such original condition; Most rusted out or were modified to take advantage of the low center of gravity that the boxer engine provides. The buyer of this car will have something unique in their garage. Incidentally, it won "Best Subaru" at Japanese Classic Car Show the first time i owned it. Offered at $6700, but will negotiate a bit with the right buyer. #japanesenostalgiccar #subaru #subaruleone #vintagesubaru https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/1978-subaru-dl-2-door-sedan/6773033548.html (at Beverly Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsW6TxSBzZN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qij264vt9lja

#SubaruLeone came back from his little movie star role today, and Fiat left to paint the silver screen too. Thank you @picturecarwarehouse for taking care of my cars. (at West Hollywood, California)

This little guy doesn’t get out much, but he’s one of my favorites. Originally sold from Subaru of Pasadena, he’s the proverbial little old lady’s car complete with a delicate wear spot on the door upper where she tested her arm while driving. Oddly equipped with automatic and aircon that still works! @japanesenostalgiccar @subaru_usa #japanesenostalgiccar #subaru #subaruleone