1982 Subaru Brat 4WD – For Sale



Stop the press! Somehow I have details of another 1982 Subaru Brat 4wD For sale. Go check that one out before you read my little rant about my rust bucket which I sold within a week of buying it.
I bought a Subaru Brat at auction without really realizing just how sought after these little 4WD vehicles are. It perhaps didn’t register until after the fact that I’d seen one in “My Name is Earl”, and not fully appreciated that they actually come with the two jump seats that you can attach to the pickup bed. I thought it was the show being funny, whereas in reality it was Subaru themselves that made the fun and funny Brat that way.

When I won the game at the Batmobile auction in Bastrop, I won a Subaru Brat. The economical 4WD pickup you’ve always wanted to own, but never dared buy.

I bought it fast and furious, assuming it to be a dentally continent gift-horse. Had I looked it in the mouth, I may have noted a distinct lack of radiator, and a few extraneous wires running from the place where the battery used to be. Part of me wants to give up on the extant engine and add a Hayabusa turbo engine. Goodbye Subaru Brat’s EA71 73HP motor, hello 150+HP Hayabusa engine.

My long-suffering pal Ori pointed out that I didn’t know how to put a motorbike engine into a car. True. Though I didn’t know how to take an Austin FX4 clutch apart until I had to.

Subaru Brat
1982 Subaru Brat - For Sale

So I took 15 minutes to ask the internet, and it appears to be simple. Buy a $4000 engine. Build some mounts and instrumentation. Connect. Turn key. Drive off.

I think I’ll spare myself the madness and sell the Brat as a project for someone else. Either that, or mount some batteries in the bed and make it electric…

 

 

22 thoughts on “1982 Subaru Brat 4WD – For Sale”

  1. The Brat is sold to a careful owner who bought two in the same week. I think they’ll make a comeback.

    1. Hey Mike, I sold the Brat really fast. Firstly because I needed to get it out of my friend’s yard and secondly because it was really popular. People sure do like them

    2. I just happened on this. I have a 82 brat, 2 motors, both bad, drove most everyday until this past Saturday when overheated and dumped oil. It has 2 motors, 2 tranny’s, 2 rearends, jump seats, 2 brand new front tires, new alternator, new clutch, new clutch cable and comes with a topper. It also has air shocks on the rear. Body has rust. No radio. I can email pictures if you are interested.

      Thanks

      Kendall

      1. Hey Kendall – send me some pics and I’ll post them here. Also, let me know whereabouts you are. I’ll email you shortly.

        Cheers

        Ron

  2. Every frikkin time I find one for sale and get all excited I see a comment or update that never fails to break my heart reading “SOLD!!” …

    1. I’m sorry – I had no idea how popular Brats were when I sold it. It would have been a goldmine for parts I imagine.

  3. I have a 1982 Subaru Brat in very good condition for it’s age. Had it repainted to Hummer yellow, recovered the seats in Black and Yellow, had it running very well until recently – believe it needs the Carb rebuilt and a new battery. With charger connected it turns over and will sometimes start for a few seconds before it dies again. Drove it back and forth to work for over a year getting 25+ mpg, drove it to the lake once getting 32+ mpg. Used the 4×4 feature just to run around in a mostly level field and when driving on very wet rainy surfaces. Have the seats to go in bed as well as many spare parts, shop manual and other manuals as well. Planning to list it on ebay with minimum bid of $1,500 — if someone is interested, I’ll take that amount for the car – as is, where is before it goes up for auction. Need pics, just contact me. Please – serious buyers only….

    1. Dale – thanks for the success story – if anyone wants Dale’s email address, or to see photos, comment here and I’ll put you in touch.

  4. sure, i’d like to see pics asap…

    i just bought one, not rusty…

    i’d buy another, and another and another i guess…

    they’re culty cool classic…

    b

  5. Dale i would like pics and to know where it is located to see if i would want to make the drive or not. thanks

  6. hey ronmalibu, i am 12 years old looking for my first car for in 4 years and i want a 1982 subaru brat and i need help finding a good one. do you think you could help m find one

  7. Hello all…
    I have a 1985 Brat that I am looking to sell…ran great until th e transmission got stuck in 4 th gear…body and engine in great condition. T tops, tires…will send pics if interested. Thanx.

  8. lyle seever

    I have a 84 brat I am selling as parts car runs good been parked for 10 yrs roll over sw bad rusty

  9. I am going to sell my 1982 Subaru brat runs great good condition 130;000 miles I am asking $5;000 yes Five thousand no rust Call 760 5612602 Ask for edna

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