Subaru BRAT
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Subaru BRAT is a pickup version of the regular Subaru 1600 car 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, American versions also had Astroturf carpet and welded-in jumpseats in the cargo area as a tax dodge, as passenger cars imported into the US were charged a 2.5% tariff, while that on trucks was 25%. The BRAT was restyled in 1981 and the jumpseats were removed after 1985. Production continued into the early 1990s but ceased to be imported to North America around 1987.
Drivetrain
All BRATs had four-wheel drive and the usual Subaru flat-four engine. Early models received a 66 hp (49.2 kW) 1.6 L engine whereas 1982-and-later models received a 1.8 L, 73 hp (54.4 kW) engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with an optional 94 hp (70.1 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 1800cc 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 pushbutton 4WD, although the automatic was available on non-turbo models.
According to Subaru, the name BRAT was a backronym for "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter." In Australia it was marketed as a Subaru Brumby, in Europe it was the MV for Multipurpose Vehicle, and in Israel it was simply the Subaru Pickup.
Eventually, in North America the Subaru Outback-based Subaru Baja became hailed as "son of BRAT" when introduced in the early 21st century.
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