Wind Back Time
1987 Subaru Brumby
Specifications
Description
When Subaru launched the Brumby UTE, it was just another Japanese carmaker trying to build a following in Australia.
With a range of small, mostly front-wheel drive cars, there was little to attract buyers away from more established brands like Nissan, Toyota and Mazda so Subaru struggled to survive. Until it made the bold decision to build all-wheel drive vehicles only.
While everyone knows about Subaru now, there were some who were firmly of the belief that Subarus were something special long before they became trendy. That was particularly so of the all-wheel drive models the company spun off its bread-and-butter front-wheel drive cars.
The Brumby was just such a car, a small UTE based on the sedan platform, with a remarkable ability to traverse rough terrain with its competent all-wheel drive system. Owners simply fell in love with them and many refused to part with them.
The Brumby arrived in Australia in 1978 and quickly established itself as a durable light workhorse, particularly in rural areas where farmers found its 400 kg payload useable, its car-like comfort welcome, and its ability to get over rough and slippery ground unbeatable.
Over time the diminutive UTE proved itself to be virtually unbreakable. Many were driven and driven, and driven on even further as they refused to buckle under the pressure of a rough life on the land. Even when they’d become too rough for the road, some farmers simply de-registered them and kept driving them around the farm. They were about as reliable as a true-blue cattle dog.
In 1977, the two seat on demand All-Wheel Drive Subaru Brumby was launched in New Zealand long before cross-over vehicles would become mainstream.
ABOUT THIS CAR
- NZ NEW
- 5 owners from new (one owner for 21 years)
- Very tidy condition for one of these.
- Good tires, battery etc
- Straight body with good paint.
- Interior clean and tidy.
- Mechanically sound - Runs and drives well
- Very presentable
- Rare and Fun to drive and SUPER RELIABLE!
- Lovely classic UTE in high demand and limited supply.
Tough as an old Boot, this used Subaru Brumby, or Brat as it was known in America, are a go anywhere, do anything UTE, that became very popular in rural New Zealand for its ruggedness. Finding one that hasn’t been driven into the ground is exceedingly rare these days. Finding a tidy, low mileage one is almost unheard of.
These cars were a point of difference that would see it become the household name it is today. The Brumby was based on the Leone wagon and designed to compete with the Ford Ranchero and Cheverolet El Camino in America. Ex-president Ronald Reagan famously owned one that is now on display at his old ranch, now owned by the Young Americans Foundation.
Their reputation for near unbreakable reliability even after hundreds of thousands of kilometers of hard driving has ensured their place as a classic.
This 1987 model is in really good shape. There’s no power steering, a basic four speed manual transmission with 4WD - there's no fancy T-top sunroof on this one either and it’s devoid of the creature comforts we expect today...BUT it’s tough and practical and becoming pretty collectible.
Will be sold WOF'd and Registered.
TRANSPORT / SHIPPING CAN BE ORGANISED ON THIS VEHICLE ON BUYER'S BEHALF AT BUYERS COST.
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DISCLAIMER (PLEASE READ)
NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993
Waimak Classic Cars Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”.
Waimak Classic Cars is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Classic Cars does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.
The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Classic Cars as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Classic Cars.
The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.
For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485 / +64 (0) 274 990-020. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime.
PLEASE NOTE: Waimak Classic Cars is Not a car yard dealer type of operation. As a result, we do not operate through fixed opening hours and viewing is By Appointment Only.