Subaru B.R.A.T.
B.R.A.T. stood for 'Bi-drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter'. Obviously BRAT was much easier to say and to write. This Subaru Leone Coupe-Utility derivative was known by many names, it was known in my native Australia as the 'Brumby' - a type of wild mountain horse, kind of like a Mustang. In other markets it was known variously as the '284', 'Shifter', 'MV' and 'Targa'.
The BRAT Adopted Subaru's all-wheel-drive systems, a relatively straight-forward installation afforded by the flat-four engine mounted longitudinally ahead of the front axle. The BRAT's intent wasn't maximum on-road performance, but more flexible offroad terrain. To this end the car also road higher than the standard Leone.
The BRAT style arrived in 1977, a number of years after the development of the base car. This first generation vehicle continued until 1982, despite the Leone being replaced by a new car in 1979.
The body style is what Americans had known as the 'Couep-Utility', a passenger car monocoque body with an open tray. This had a single-cab style, though oddly it was imported into the US with additional jump seats welded into the cargo area to overcome the tariff on light trucks popularly known as the 'chicken tax'.
Subaru B.R.A.T.
B.R.A.T. stood for 'Bi-drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter'. Obviously BRAT was much easier to say and to write. This Subaru Leone Coupe-Utility derivative was known by many names, it was known in my native Australia as the 'Brumby' - a type of wild mountain horse, kind of like a Mustang. In other markets it was known variously as the '284', 'Shifter', 'MV' and 'Targa'.
The BRAT Adopted Subaru's all-wheel-drive systems, a relatively straight-forward installation afforded by the flat-four engine mounted longitudinally ahead of the front axle. The BRAT's intent wasn't maximum on-road performance, but more flexible offroad terrain. To this end the car also road higher than the standard Leone.
The BRAT style arrived in 1977, a number of years after the development of the base car. This first generation vehicle continued until 1982, despite the Leone being replaced by a new car in 1979.
The body style is what Americans had known as the 'Couep-Utility', a passenger car monocoque body with an open tray. This had a single-cab style, though oddly it was imported into the US with additional jump seats welded into the cargo area to overcome the tariff on light trucks popularly known as the 'chicken tax'.