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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 1.6 L engine whereas 1982-and-later models received a 1.8 L, 73 hp engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with a 94 hp turbocharged engine. Manual transmissions were standard on all models and an automatic transmission was available on turbocharged BRATs. Pre-1982 models received a single-range transfer case and later models received a manual dual-range case or an optional pushbutton 4wd-on-demand system.
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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