Subaru BRAT

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Subaru BRAT

Manufacturer	Subaru
Body style	2-door pickup
Layout	front-engine AWD
Related	Subaru 1600
Similar	Chevrolet El Camino Ford Ranchero

The Subaru BRAT (an acronym for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) was a pickup version of the Subaru 1600 from the 1970s. The BRAT was developed directly from the company's four-wheel drive station wagon model and was first introduced as a 1978 model. Similar in concept to the Chevrolet El Camino and the Ford Ranchero, American versions also had carpeting and welded-in jumpseats in the cargo area that served to reduce import duties. Although the Brat could fairly be called a truck, the seats in the cargo bed allowed Subaru to designate the BRAT as a passenger car. Passenger cars imported into the US were charged only a 2.5% tariff, compared to 25% charged on trucks. The BRAT was restyled in 1981 and the jumpseats were discontinued after the 1985 model year. Production continued into the early 1990s but ceased to be imported to North America around 1987.

[edit] In popular culture

According to the online comic strip Achewood, anyone admitted to Hell is issued 1982 Subaru BRAT as their only available transport. Ray is shown with the car, and the alt text reports that the BRAT is equipped with rear-facing seats in the bed. December 1, 2003

On the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl, Earl's ex-wife Joy owns a BRAT with same rear-facing seats as above. In the show's pilot episode, the car is a dark blue color, but in later episodes it appears with a full-body American flag paint job, painted to look as if the flag is waving in the wind. During the show it is revealed that the BRAT is occupied by squirrels who have affected its wiring, and that the car is started with a bent spoon instead of a key.

Former President Ronald Reagan owned a red Subaru Brat. It is currently at display at Rancho del Cielo.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Drivetrain

All BRATs had four-wheel drive and the usual Subaru flat-four engine. Early models received a 66 hp (49 kW) 1.6 L engine whereas 1981 and later models received a 1.8 L, 73 hp (54 kW) engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with an optional 94 hp (70 kW) turbocharged engine. Manual transmissions were standard on all models and an automatic transmission was available on turbocharged BRATs. 1980 and earlier models had a single-range transfer case, while 1981 and later models had the 1800 cc EA81 engine with a dual range transfer case (GL models only, DLs still had the single range) and all turbocharged models were equipped with an automatic transmission with push-button four-wheel drive, although the automatic was available on naturally-aspirated models.

According to Subaru, the name BRAT was a backronym for "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter." In Australia it was marketed as the Subaru Brumby, in Europe it was the MV for Multipurpose Vehicle, and in Israel, where it is still a part of the daily road life, it was simply the Subaru Pickup, which was offered with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

Eventually, in North America, the Subaru Outback-based Subaru Baja became hailed as the "son of BRAT" when introduced in 2002.