Restored 1978 Subaru Brat DL Standard Cab Pickup 2-Door 1.6L

Relisted: Restored 1978 Subaru Brat 4 Wheel Drive Pickup

This car from Texas is a first year. Subaru B. R. A. T.   (Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter)

Engine: The Engine is a 1. 6L. 4 Cylinder EA71 motor.   This engine is the same design as a Volkswagen Bug engine . an opposing 4 cylinder “boxter” motor except that it is water cooled.   The original mileage on the engine is unknown.   The odometer of the car shows 023. 17 miles. I left the engine alone.

All emission systems were removed from the motor.   In the State of Texas. because of the age of the Subaru BRAT. it is exempt from emission requirements. BEFORE YOU BID. CHECK TO SEE THE EMISSION REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR STATE.

Engine New parts:. New Cylinder Head Gaskets. New Intake Manifold Gaskets. New Motor Mounts. New Oil Filter. New Oil Pan Gasket. New Timing Cover Seal. New Valve Cover Gaskets. Exhaust Manifold Gaskets. New Starter. New Exhaust Pipe Flange Seals. New Fuel Pump. New Fuel Filters. New Weber 32/36 DGEV Carburetor. New Idler Pulley Bearing. New Accelerator Cable. The New carburetor was a game changer on the performance of the engine.   It defiantly increased the get up and go of the car.

Brakes : completely rebuilt. New Brake Shoes. New Brake Pads. Rotors and Drums Machined. New Calipers. New Drum Hardware. New Hydraulic hoses. New Wheel Bearings and New Wheel Seals. multiple New Steel Brake Lines . New Spindle Nuts and washers.

Cooling System:  New Water Pump and gaskets. New Temperature Sender. New Thermostat and gasket. New Upper and Lower Radiator hose wrapped in Stainless Steel. New Radiator Fan Switch.

Drive train:  All 4 Axles were professionally rebuilt with New Seals. New Bearings. New Sleeves and New CV Boots. Painted Exhaust and Painted 3rd Member.

Electrical: New Starter. New Battery. New Battery Cables. New Voltage Regulator. New Starter Switch. New Radiator Fan Switch. New Oil Pressure Sender Switch.

Ignition:  New Ballast Resistor. New Condenser. New Distributor. New Distributor Cap. New Distributor Rotor. New Ignition Coil. New Spark plugs. New Spark Plug Wires.

Suspensions:. New Ball Joints. New Control Arm Bushings. New Stabilizer Bar Bushings.

Transmission: was Professionally rebuilt with New Cups. Seals and Sleeves. New Clutch Kit (Pressure Plate. Friction Disc. Throw out Bearing and Pilot Bearing. span >  New Transmission Mounts.

Car Exterior (Unibody):  Every part was removed from the car's unibody. The car was completely primed and painted top to bottom. on top and underneath.   The original factory paint on the interior of the car's ceiling (behind the headliner). behind the door panels and some of the bed paint was so pristine. I could not bring myself to have it painted over. so it is still factory original.  

On the BRAT's body. a few dents and Dings were pushed out and repaired to be extremely straight.   There were two spots of rust. both were small (about 3” in diameter). with several BB sized holes. on both seat pans that was repaired using PUR. Then additional fiberglass reinforcement was added to both pans for strength.   (I have since found a small rust bubble behind the rear bumper). Then NEW PPG ULTRA High Gloss Porsche RED Paint was applied by a local Paint and Body Shop.   Reproduction Subaru BRAT Stripes surround the entire car. Original Aluminum Side Body Trim Polished with a New White Insert. New Windshield Gasket. Entire Car Painted underneath. and in all fender wells. top to bottom. All Trim Repainted. ( Front Grill. Bumper Ends. Side Shields. Outside Passenger Seats in pickup bed).  Brand New Tires with less than 100 Miles with Raised White Letters. Fresh Bleach White POWDER COATED Front Bumper Crash Bar AND ROLL BARS. POWDER COATED Wheel Rims with Rare Center Caps. Original Mud Flaps. POWDER COATED under hood Spare Tire Wheel with New never used spare tire. New Tail Gate Weather Stripping.   The White Trim against the Red Paint makes this car POP !!!

Car Interior: NEW Aircraft Rated Sound Dampening Material placed on the roof. Floor Board. Center Hump  and Door Panels to make the interior extra quiet.   New HUSHMAT Ultra Silver Vibration Dampening Floor Kit installed on the Floor Plans to keep the sound down from the road.   New High Quality Radiant Barrier Foil placed on the back side of the Headliner. Door Panels and Bed Panel to prevent the transfer of heat and cold into the cab.   New Carpet. New Dash Cover. Both Original Bucket Seats have New Upholstery in the Original Vinyl pattern. All Interior Surfaces Repainted.  

The Bad:  The left rear taillight lens was cracked and glued. It works but does not look great. The horn is not working and the windshield wiper and washer is not working.  Dome light does not work.  A small scratch on left side. Like all BRAT's. it has a cracked dash. Radio doesn't work. The bed of the pickup paint is not great. kind of a bumpy paint job on the bed floor. Engine smokes a little. and has a small oil drip. Found a small rust bubble (size of a pencil eraser) behind rear bumper while assembling the car.

This is a Very Rare Pickup Truck. not Concurs class but obviously redone. I would rate the truck a 7 1/2 out of 10. With 10 being a perfect Concurs class score. This car is not perfect.   I did the restoration as a driver. not a show car.  

THIS 1978 BRAT Looks FANTASTIC. Drives GREAT. and TURNS HEADS where ever it goes. has 4 WHEEL DRIVE. gets GREAT Gas Mileage.   It is one of the first Subaru Brats ever made (Serial # 6233) .   Use it as a Daily Driver or put it in local Car Shows.   Be the only one on your block to have a BRAT !! 

Don't let this SUBARU BRAT get away!!

I put a reasonable reserve on this car. which is far below what I have spent on it. We are selling it to pay for a fraction of our daughter's  college.    I do have the car advertized in other forums and reserve the right to cancel this action at anytime. Sold “As-IS”. No warranties expressed or implied.

Buyer responsible for transportation arrangements of the car. Prefer local pickup.

Also published at eBay.com

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