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 AstroTurf carpet and welded-in jumpseats in the cargo area as a tax dodge; the Brat could fairly be called a truck, yet the seats in the cargo bed reinforced Subaru's designation of the BRAT as a 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.
[] In Popular Culture
According to the online comic strip Achewood, all the characters are issued a 1982 Subaru BRAT when they are admitted into hell. December 1, 2003
On the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl, Earl's ex-wife Joy owns a BRAT painted as an American flag. Its wiring is often chewed on by squirrels, and it is started with a spoon instead of a key. The BRAT shown in the pilot episode of "My Name is Earl" lacked the flag paint job.
Former President Ronald Reagan owned a red Subaru Brat. It is currently at display at Rancho del Cielo
[] 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.
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