Can you imagine a world where a Republican president of the United States picks a small Japanese pickup like the Subaru Brumby (aka Subaru BRAT) instead of some model from the Big Three?
We know it’s hard to imagine such a thing, but that exactly happened with Subaru's ute, owned by Ronald Regan and still decorates the ex-president's ranch in California.
The Brumby was also present Down Under for a long time, and despite it not having such notable owners in this part of the world, it still left a mark in the Australian market.
Characterised by a compact design, capable four-wheel-drive system and good overall quality, this small coupe ute can be found on the roads of Australia even today, decades after its discontinuation.
The First Generation of Subaru Brumby (1978-1982)
Back in the day, the coupe utility segment was among the most popular in the automotive market, especially in North America. Of course, domestic manufacturers dominated, with models like Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero.
However, with the start of the oil crisis, many buyers started turning to smaller and more efficient vehicles. Subaru management saw their chance to launch another export model, which would never be sold in Japan.
The new model called Subaru BRAT came to North America in 1971, and it instantly started to perform well in the market.
Considering that Australia was also an excellent market for coupe utes, the Japanese company offered the exact vehicle Down Under in 1978 but used a different nameplate—the Brumby. They continued offering the first generation until 1982.
Design
This coupe ute was heavily based on the more common Leone model, available in various body styles. Mechanically, the two models were identical—the same chassis, engines, etc.
The Brumby featured standard four-wheel drive, an early version of what would eventually become one of the best all-wheel-drive systems in the world.
Even the exterior design of the ute shared a lot of things with the Leone. The two models had the same wheelbase and total length. Regarding styling, the front part of the vehicle was also pretty much the same. The main difference was the coupe utility layout, which replaced the second-row seats and trunk of the Leone with a decently sized cargo bed.
The Brumby was a typical light-duty truck with a single row of seats and a cargo bed. However, the company also installed jump seats in the back, not only to increase seating capacity but also to register this vehicle as a passenger car and avoid taxes.
Dimensions
Like Leone, the Subaru Brumby measured 3,995mm long, 1,500mm wide, and 1,385mm high, while the wheelbase was 2,455mm. This truck was pretty light at a kerb weight of 775kg only.
Subaru Brumby Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 2440mm
- Overall length: 4355mm
- Overall height: 1445mm
- Overall width: 1635mm
- Ground clearance: 215mm
- Kerb weight: 775kg
- Turning circle: 9.6m
- Rear track: 1335mm
- Front track: 1320mm
Subaru Brumby Engines
The initial version was equipped with the good-old EA71 engine, a 1.6-litre flat-four with about 60kW and 118Nm of max torque. Unlike in North America, where it was available with either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic, the Australian version was offered only with a 4-speed manual.
A significant change came in 1981 when we saw a powertrain upgrade. The new Subaru Brumby engine was codenamed EA81, and it was the new generation of the company’s boxer engine, with 1.8 litres in displacement.
Interestingly, the new engine featured the same max output of 60kW, though the torque was increased to 132Nm. The company also introduced a version with a turbocharger, but that unit wasn’t available in Australia.
Subaru Brumby 1.6 Engine Specs:
- Engine Capacity: 1595cc
- Number of cylinders: Flat-Four
- Fuel type: Leaded Petrol
- Forced Induction: -
- Maximum torque: 118Nm
- Maximum power: 60kW
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain: 4x4
- Fuel tank capacity: 45L
Subaru Brumby 1.8 Engine Specs:
- Engine Capacity: 1781cc
- Number of cylinders: Flat-Four
- Fuel type: Leaded Petrol
- Forced Induction: -
- Maximum torque: 132Nm
- Maximum power: 60kW
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain: 4x4
- Fuel tank capacity: 45L
The Second Generation of Subaru Brumby (1982-1994)
After an entire decade in production, it was about time to see updates. Therefore, the vehicle was completely redesigned in 1982. We saw completely new styling and some significant mechanical upgrades. So, the vehicle wasn't just more appealing but also equipped with better suspension, brakes etc.
The new suspension setup was independent at the front, with a typical McPherson strut and a stabiliser bar. The rear end came equipped with a torsion bar in combination with a semi-trailing arm. Also, the Brumby was equipped with ventilated discs at the front for the first time, while the rear brakes kept a more conventional design, good old drums.
Like the original model, the second generation proved itself as a pretty rugged and dependable vehicle, so it's not a surprise that even today, you can often find an advertised Subaru Brumby for sale.
Dimensions
The redesign brought a more robust ute with bigger dimensions. Although the wheelbase remained the same, the new model was notably longer, wider and higher. Also, it was notably heavier, as the kerb weight went up to 1,000 kg.
Subaru Brumby Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 2440mm
- Overall length: 4355mm
- Overall height: 1445mm
- Overall width: 1635mm
- Ground clearance: 215mm
- Kerb weight: 965kg
- Turning circle: 9.6m
- Rear track: 1335mm
- Front track: 1320mm
Subaru Brumby Engine
The second generation carried on with the same powertrain introduced a few years earlier. A 1.8-litre flat-four continued with the same engine specs, though it's good to mention that Subaru engineers increased the tank capacity to 55 litres to extend autonomy.
Subaru Brumby Engine Specs:
- Engine Capacity: 1781cc
- Number of cylinders: Flat-Four
- Fuel type: Leaded Petrol
- Forced Induction: -
- Maximum torque: 132Nm
- Maximum power: 60kW
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain: 4x4
- Fuel tank capacity: 55L
Updates and Upgrades
Like the original, the second-generation Brumby was in production for over a decade, so a few updates were made during this long production cycle. The first occurred in 1986 when we saw a new grade called Sports. The main upgrade over the standard model was the bulbar, which accentuated the model's off-road potential. Also, this model added a cassette player to the list of standard equipment.
Two years later, the company introduced another grade called Special. This version featured a list of standard equipment that included a bulbar, cassette player, tow bar, and tonneau cover.
Is Subaru bringing back the Brumby?
The Brumby/BRAT was officially discontinued in 1994. Several years later, the Japanese manufacturer introduced an Outback-based light truck called Baja, but that model was sold only in North America. After that, there have been some rumours about the successor, but nothing has happened.
Thanks to the model's short wheelbase and standard four-wheel drive, many realised the great potential of this small coupe ute. So, it wasn't rare to see a modified Subaru Brumby back in the day. Even today, you can find some of them going through rough terrains thanks to upgraded suspension, off-road tyres and other modifications that made them look more like monster trucks than coupe utility vehicles.
Currently, Subaru has no plans for bringing back the Brumby.
If you plan to turn your old Brumby into a super-capable off-roader or simply need replacement parts, send us a query or search our directory. With a large network of wreckers, we are pretty sure that we can help you find the Subaru Brumby parts you need at the best prices.
By Nebojsa Grmusa