My college girlfriend had an excellent example of this little Subaru wagon. We lived in Albuquerque and would often visit her family in Santa Fe and Taos. On several snowy trips we routinely noticed that only the Subarus kept rolling and the big 4x4s were stuck on the side of the road. Lightweight and slow is perfect for the snow. Love those old Subarus - so glad you guys bought one to feature here.
In 78 at college we had lots of icey blizzards. I saw the same thing. 4x4 Suvs spinning and stuck, only Subies and those with snow chains were moving on black ice.
I’m amazed you found a non-rotted example. I remember seeing these in the mid 80s when I was in high school, but they were already rotten with rust then. Good find, and well done whoever cared for this one for decades.
Tommy, you flasted me back to 78. Our family had the white deluxe 4wd wagon with a massive off road bumper and a skid plate that can deflect any boulders . My mom drove it first, sister got t- bone on driverside rear passenger side ( her fault). The insurance company wrote the car off. We got a body shop in So Ca fixed it like new. She drove 4 yrs more handed to my dad. Big guy funny 6 ft 2. Then my older drove it . Lived in Wyoming 2yrs snow no problem. Then lived in B.C used it for landscaping tow a small trailer all year more snow at that time in early 90's car was really starting to rust. Easy to fix , but carb was a pain. Being older vehicle parts were not easily accessible and my brother was not a great mechanic. He sold it, got over 180 thousand miles 2 motors later. Ironically I was the "fix it guy" in the family who never got to own it. Great videos TFL gang.
Hey, my dad had a 84 GL wagon! Being USAF, he carried our family of four through Louisiana, Germany, California, Italy, and finally sold it in Texas, with over 250k miles on the clock. 🥳 It's been through the Alps in Switzerland, swamps of Louisiana, deserts of America, and kept on trucking.
Bought my 79 Subaru DL 4x4 wagon less than a year ago from the original owner. Was bought in Indiana and was left in a pole barn for 25yrs. It is still in Indiana to this day! After draining a full tank of varnished fuel, flushed out the fuel lines, replaced the original locked up fuel pump and changed the oil, it fired up on with a bit of carb cleaner in 20min! The EA71 engines are very reliable. One 1 drive belt and with no timing chain or belt to deal with just makes them unstoppable!
Thanks Tommy. I have some great memories from my college days in a Subie DL. One I can share, it was not good at dissipating "weed" smoke to the outside. Think you get where I'm coming from.
Spent a lot of time in a 1978 Subaru wagon my parents bought new when I was six. Drove it when I was older. It was finally retired in the late 80s due to rust with over 350k miles on it. My mom drove 80 miles a day for work in it. My first car at 16 was a 78 Brat. Your wagon looks very very clean.
Brings back memories of my 1978 FWD Subaru wagon. I bought it in Oklahoma and brought it to grad school in Fort Collins. I would drive back and forth to Oklahoma several times a year. I got to the point where I did the 600 mile drive with only one stop for gas about halfway in (usually Mittens truck stop in Kansas). I one got a speeding ticket in Kansas for going 85 in a 65, and yes that was as fast as the thing could go--I was even going downhill! I did so much work on it myself. I replaced the front brake pads, put in a new starter, replaced the valve cover gaskets, and cleaned the EGR valve because it would backfire if I took my foot off the accelerator too fast. The heater stopped working and I fixed it by spraying a ton of WD-40 into the linkage to get it to free up. The fuel gage wasn't quite accurate so I had to judge the fuel levels with the trip odometer (300 miles meant I should start looking for gas.) I bought the car for $600, had to put a new clutch in it for about $500, probably spent another $300 on miscellaneous parts. As I was planning on moving back East I got hit turning into my apartment's parking lot, and it was undriveable. The other driver's insurance company totalled the vehicle, wrote me a check for $660, and told me to keep the car. I sold the non-working car to a hobbyist mechanic for $275 who then towed it out of the parking lot. So I had a car for a year and a half that cost me about $500 total. Still miss that car sometimes. Not only was the trunk big but the rear seats folded down flat (you'd lift the bottom cushions and the backs would fold down.) I put an entire sofa in it once (hanging out the back but still.)
I read (in a 1977 magazine), that Subaru was the lowest maintenance car available. In fall of 1977, I bought a 1978 GF Subaru. Green with a black interior, 5 speed. I cruised at 100 miles per hour for at least two hours. The car was burning a lot of gas, so I slowed down after this one ordeal. I had the car for 4 years, (about 88,000 miles). I changed the oil every 5,000 miles. Even after all these miles, it never used any oil (the dip-stick always read full). The clutch lasted 60,000 miles. The tires lasted about 50,000 miles. I was very happy with this car. It was rated 41 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city (that it would achieve when I obeyed the 55mph speed limit). It was very dependable and low maintenance.
I owned a '79 GL wagon when I lived in Spokane. It was unstoppable even when the clutch cable broke. I moved to Colorado Springs and traded it for an '87 Subaru wagon that had dual range four wheel drive. That vehicle was amazing. Now I drive a '16 Outback with the 3.6 and it does well on the Autobahn in all conditions.
Always enjoyed my Subaru’s (all 8 of them, pre CVT ). It would have been fantastic to find one of with the low range transfer case. Looking forward to watching your adventures in this.
I had one of those...an 86 turbo rx sedan. Dual range transfere case with wheel drive high, 4 wheel drive high & 4 wheel drive low. It was unstoppable in snow and mud.
I had a 74 DL sedan, non 4 wheel drive just FWD and with bias ply snow tire's I was unstoppable. Snow was not an issue.I drove home in a blizzard and stop to push cars along the way and drove around the abandoned ones. When a friend bought the 4 wheel drive wagon I was truly amazed what that car could go through. And yes they did rust I bought mine in in 74 and by 79 the rust had taken over, also blew a head gasket and a cultch around 50K.
I had an '87 Mazda 626 in college. I loved that car, dead reliable. They don't make simple cars like this anymore. I wonder if that car is still driving around Boulder...
I bought a ‘88 Subaru GL wagon back 1992. If I remember correctly, there were 3 different 4wd systems available that year and mine had the 5 speed manual transmission with the 2 speed transfer case. The only really problem I had was the timing belts, they were only good for about 45k miles. I got pretty good at changing them. Yes, and rust was a real problem, but I still loved that car!
A friend had a late 70’s version, 4 door sedan, hearing aid tan and sounded like a Volkswagen, every thing about this Subaru seemed so weird to us, after a couple years the underwhelming tan paint turned into rust from one end to the other, WV road salt consumed the Lil weird Japanese car. Jackson never missed work due to slick winter roads though. Great video Tommy takes me back, way back, haven’t thought that lil car in forever!!!👍
I'm glad you're guys featured this classic Subaru, it's a cool review. If you guys are going to feature classic 4wds could you do an AMC Eagle next if you could find one?
@@WW-wf8tu yes but when the Subaru came out in 1978 there were only a few dealers. When the Eagle came out in 1979 there were dealers everywhere! Both are cool cars.
@@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080 Subarus weren't introduced in '78. The basic FWD cars were introduced about '74, the 4WD in about '75 (had a 1400cc engine). Plenty of dealers in Southern CA by '77 when I bought mine. Heck, it was popular enough in 1977 to be the Official Car of the US Ski Team that year... and the next several years.
I had 2 DL wagons and a BRAT.... when I lived in Montana...loved them all. I put dual exhaust on the BRAT and wow! Better fuel economy.. awesome exhaust noise, and it was like having an extra gear going up mountain highways.....
In late 1979, just out of college I needed a 4WD. I had bought a 75 MGB out of love but needed more. My choices were the unaffordable Jeeps, Scouts, FJs, etc. I was aware of the 70s Subaru and the new AMC Eagles. I was actually able to have an 80 Subie and a Station Wagon Eagle side by for a comparison. Both drove nicely. But I needed good gas milage. Subie was about 28 vs Eagle 14 mpg. It rained that day, when I opened the hatch on the Eagle all the water ran down into the floor. The Subie channeled all the water nicely out of the way to the ground. I got a GL with difficulties, they were a hot item then. I got one in December just before the snows hit. It was great. Later it had rust, but I discovered Duro extend rust converter. No AC, low power, very low 1st gear. Not great when interstates lifted the 55mph limits. Great car! Later I appreciated the Eagle wagon for its ruggedness and lack of rust. But never bought one.
I couldn't agree more with Tommy -- Subaru has definitely changed since I was a kid in the '70s and '80s. And not for the better, unfortunately. They were truly revolutionary back in the day, and today they're just kind of ho-hum... I'd love to see them go back to their roots. Definitely looking forward to seeing future videos with this awesome classic!!
I've been driving a 2002 Outback for six years. Love the car and it doesn't have that bloated modern feel nor all those electronic bells and whistles that are just waiting to fail.
Oh man this will be a great classic car to make a project vehicle-although I will miss the Comanche. Wish I had a spare $10k, I would love to EDD that beauty.
In 1986, my then friend got one of these as a college graduation gift from her parents. Basically, it was the red version of yours, but I seem to recall a 2sp transfer case - is that possible? She had taken a job in New Hampshire and it was perfect for driving in the snow. I remember driving that car to skiing and all over when I’d visit. At the time, I was driving a Volvo with 4 snows and an open diff and that Sub was the reason I eventually switched to 4WD and AWD - it was literally unstoppable. Never got it stuck once and we drove it down unplowed dirt roads and onto snowy fields (to park to cross country ski in the woods) - basically, all over. It was definitely not fast, the 4WD system was rudimentary and I remember the “unique” feel when trying to go “fast” on a snowy highway in 4WD. It was also quite tippy. I remember my friend rolled it one time when it slid into a snow pile and basically rolled over into the ditch - all apparently in slow motion. It got a bit dented, but otherwise didn’t require anything and just kept chugging along. Not sure I’d want Sub going back quite that far, but I do tend to agree that they’ve lost their way a bit - although I still have a 2012 Outback that we have loved for 125K and will likely have for at least a few more years.
The generation after this had a 2 speed transfer case available. I don't remember the exact years off the top of my head, but I had an '82 with the two speed case.
my old manual subaru had a feature, if you put your foot on the clutch and pressed the brake all the way down it would hold you on a hill if you took your foot of the brake. it was a great way to learn how to drive a stick on a incline
Thanks, Tommy, I love 80s Asian econoboxes, owned 87 GL Wagon - liked (all-wheel drive) didn't love it, also owned 84 Civic Wagan - loved it what a great grocery cart. Owned 70s American cars (all 10yrs old and 80k miles, 400ci engines 4brl carbs) = garbage (from the days of replacing distributor caps and plugs once a year) My first AWD car 84 Audi 4000cs Quattro - phenomenal.
When I was ten I had my first Subie experience. A red Leone stopped once on my way from school, and within, a young tremendesly beautiful school teacher asking me how I hold up on my long school way. I remember the Subie till this day.......:D Guess what, I now drive the Outback, :D
Great job Tommy! In the mid 70's, I knew a couple who bought one like this: Manual transmission and 4WD. They were a two car household and they loved their Subaru so much that they sold their second car and bought another Subaru! Again, I really enjoyed your video! Your enthusiasm is infectious.
I had a loyale-style wagon with 1.8 and low range. Bought for $200 running. Trans had been run dry and heads ended up being cracked. Got to learn how to rebuild the unusual engine and make tools for pulling wrist pins thru holes in block and tensioning the 2 timing belts. Then a repaint and it was cool with the baja wheels. I did some climbing in low range, and even with scrawny 13 inch street tires, I was impressed how well it performed. It would have been fun to lift it and add some aggressive tires.
I grew up in the state of Maine and these things were all over the roads from the early 80's on. Unfortunately they suffered from the same weakness as the other cars of the era, rust. That being said, I could probably count on one hand the number of times we might have missed school because of snow each year on one hand.. The road crews back then took no prisoners when it came to keeping the roads cleared. Very often I remember waiting at the bus stop staring at 6 inches of fresh snow thinking: "There's no way we're going to have school today." When along would come the snow plow with the bus right behind it.
My parents had a brown one when I was a kid, a 78. I hated it because they traded my favorite truck in for it(a 74 f100 4x4 from the forest service). But when my mom was in labor my dad was the only person able to get up the massive hill the hospital say a top. All the big Jeeps and Chevys with massive mud tires were going off the road and lil suby just chugged straight up.
Damn, I want my 1978 Toyota Cressida back! It came from Colorado all the way up to northern Ontario where I bought it back in late 80's. It still had the tire chains in the trunk.
I had 1978 Subaru 4x4 Wagon just like this one only it was tan. It went anywhere you pointed it to go! Only thing the tops of the fenders rusted out in 4 years. But all in all it was a great car!
A long time ago, I owned the triple A Subaru repair in anchorage and it was huge overnight as every light and intersection in town was guaranteed one or more subaru's and was the highest car by population registered to drive. If you went to the valley there was one or more in the driveway and then a four wheel drive new or old but somewhere near. Most had three hundred thousand miles and still ran well but tin worms had had their way too long and became a safety problem. It was parked and another took its place so the old one was good parts. I had a Bratt with the T tops ... a early last built for america in 87, kept clean and undercoated so retained its shape very well. I quit driving it at seven hundred thousand miles. Of course by that time I installed another engine quick and a half hour completely done. The first engine went five hundred plus thousand miles on oil changes and some cv joints. My only reason parking was hauling to many extra large parts and it being tough to haul on a quarter ton truck. I did haul a 7.3 diesel engine with transmission over fifty miles to home without a hiccup. I felt safe in it but felt that truck deserved better and gave it to a elderly friend. I had the truck over fifteen years and he still has but parked in very sad condition as older people just don't maintain stuff generally.... there are the few who do but not common here.
My very first car was a 1977 Subaru 1600 DL two door. I drove it until it was a piece of junk. I actually turned it on the side on the dirt road and a couple of people help me get it back on the wheels and it started right back up but it had a flat tire.
Had a friend with a Brat and It was weird but actually was pretty good offroad and super reliable. He abused it and I pulled him out of bad situations several times in my 86 Toyota 4x4.
There was two years where they had a 4wd high and low besides the front wd. Mostly in the Brat, but I think the Legacy had it as well. Those are the rare ones. Still have my 1976 1600 DL wagon.
I never had any of those problems locking my 89 F-150 in 4x4 as you stated. You locked the hubs before you in trouble. My truck being a manual. Push the clutch in Motion. Put her in 4 high. Or just keep your hubs locked all winter. It not as hard as you make it sound. And I live in northern Alberta.
The DL was the first subaru I rode in. My father bought one when we lived in the Far East. It survived jungle tracks and blasts along the beach. Brown vinyl seats and tiny wheels.
great video Tommy my neighbour growing up in the 70's Jim Bell had one exactly like this one, his may have been a 77, you always knew he was coming from the rumble of the boxer 4 engine, that crazy thing went everywhere during crazy snow storms and he had the factory front skid plate and a bull bar dealership installed and it always started in the very cold weather like -25/30 below, it had a manual choke so no problems and he drove it until the mid 80's as far as i can remember never heard him complain about it , i just remember it flying down our front street and the snow flying in every direction,LMAO, thanks so much for the memories and look forward to this series 👍
The Subaru had no catalytic converter but it had everything else (EGR, bad ignition timing, etc.) and it worked so bad the magazines called in Sick-T which was a play on (as I remember) SECCT. It really hurt driveability, especially when cold. In 1980 they went to catalytic converters and they ran a lot better. I drove a 78 for years and when the emission control cooperated it was pretty good but when it got moody it was slower than a Rabbit Diesel pulling a trailer. I expect somebody has managed to 'Fix' yours in a manner that is hard to detect and still able to pass the typical emission testing. I recommend you drive yours in for testing after a 30 mile drive to improve the chance it passes the test. Once you fix the distributor advance curve, it runs good. Also.... That is a fantastic example of that particular model. Congrats.
Wow that Subaru is awesome! Back in the mid 80s my uncle had a 79 Subaru wagon and it was already rusted out back then. I love the distinct rumble that those flat 4 engines make.
I love your Subaru!!! I seen many of this in Puerto Rico wen I was young. Now I’m 45 years old. Thank you for make me remember very good times. God bless you and regards from Tampa FL. 😎
A little trivia: Many of the 2WD Subaru wagons and cars had 5-speed transmissions. But the 4x4s were all limited to 4-speed transmissions because the output mechanism for the rear driveshaft took up the space in the trans-axle where 5th-gear hardware normally was.
Tell us about the original AWD car, the Ferguson Formula Ford Capri. It was amazing in 1974, to see the Capri drive away on soft sand without spinning a wheel. It was heavy and slow but it was a milestone! It was just WAY groovier than the Subie.
Find a Subaru Justy 4x4. Bought a new one when I lived in Vermont. Leather hearted little beast would go anywhere. Before that, I had a mid-80's Subaru Wagon, the center "logo" would flip over and it was a fog light. I miss the whimsy of early 'barus.
Growing up in the 1980's in Colorado Springs, I spent a lot of time looking for a DL, and were on the market for a matter of hours! Even when they were 6 years old, they were already rusting. Great find! When are you going to sell it?!
I had the next model newer (Leone) ... rust and terrible were the two words that came to mind. It actually broke the body filler holding the A & B pillars on. So I had to duct tape the A pillar back together so that the roof didn't flap!
The other day I thought I was watching an old clip of Tommy and Roman, but it turns out it was Keith Gordon and John Carpenter on the set of Christine. Tommy today and Keith (circa 1983) look like the same person....that's crazy.
Are you sure that is a '78 and not a '79? In the '80 I friend of mine had one that he took immaculate care of. We drove it all over the back roads in the mountains and had a great time. Anyway, I sent him a link to the video and his response was: "They say it is a DL which matches up with the speedometer layout, but the quad headlights are from a GL (maybe changed out at some point? ) The tri-vents in the back are positioned [that way] on the 79 model year. 78 had the vents placed vertically just aft of the quarter panel glass."
I don't know, Tom. I mean, Subarus aren't the talk of the town, but I'd say from the late-90's to present, they've ticked off a lot of the boxes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (that appears to spank all other systems)? Check. Many PZEV models/relatively-decent MPGs across their entire lineup? Check. Most advanced safety and pre-collision set-up? Check and check. Not to mention that they've become more enjoyable to be in with comfort points going up and noise levels going down. Just my two cents. Good job on the video, it's nice to see such a unique vehicle is in good hands.
Had a 4x4 International Travelall . . . big box, hard to maneuver and a constant 10-11 mpg. Then I bought my Brat . . . so much easier to deal with and it went places the big rig wouldn't.
I grew up with Subarus and loved them. The 80's years had some ugly cars but they ran forever. My neighbor had a late 70's DL wagon and used it as a service vehicle for his motorcycle repair shop. He hauled frames, parts and engines in the back and it was a beast. I really wanted my parents to get a Brat when I was a kid.
It's great you have passion for older vehicles, may I suggest brushing up on your history a little though? First, Jeeps CJ5s had pretty good heaters and weren't too cold in the winter, even soft tops. Secondly, Jeep wagoners from the '60's, Ford Broncos, Chevy Blazers, and especially the Range Rover from 1970 on had features comparable to sedans, such as electric windows, AC, comfortable seats, great heaters, roomy interiors, (so did pick up trucks). The Subaru was innovative as it was pretty cheap, got decent mpg, and offered a decent 4wd pre '80 and awd post '80s system that was prefect for on road bad conditions and maintained dirt road mud seasons. But it certainly wasn't a first except for its size.
I love this car! I wish they still made them like this. In the early 80s my close friend had one just like this which I often used in the Rockies outside Denver and it was great.
Really looking forward to the adventures with this car. It brings back many memories from when I was a kid. Parents didn't have one but a neighbor did & the young lady that watched my brother & I while the parents were at work had one too & what I remember most about them is that spare tire. I have a 2010 Forester manual & will only get rid of it if they include a manual in the larger engined XV that they are supposedly introducing in 2021. They can keep their CVTs.
This Subaru, along with many other 1970's Japanese cars were extremely innovative, I knew that they would catch on when I was with my mom, and she bought a new, first year 1973 Honda Civic, and she remarked, "this car will put an end to the Volkswagen", (bug-which she traded in).
It's ALMOST just as notable that that Subaru is FRONT WHEEL DRIVE as well...while in the 1970s most cars (including Japanese cars) were rear wheel drive.
Was that a Mercedes logo on the rear squirt bag? What’s the story there? Fun video. Tommy is like Doug Demuro minus the immense amount of pretentiousness.
Interesting vid👍For Brumby ute or BRATE Pro:changing 2WD to AWD, nice low tray bed to load into, simple switch gear, revv engine Cons: Poor front CV, basic car tyres which hopeless getting out of wet field n worst seats in world, my back was stuff after long drive. Ford Falcon outback version with LSD will out perform Brumby. Great buy Tommy👍
I miss my '78 DL sooo much. The single most fun car I have ever owned. Let me know if you ever decide to sell it. (Seriously) Local Colorado pick up. :)
My mother had an 1981 Subaru DL 4WD Wagon in blue, aside from being moderately lifted like an Eagle. The "passing light" center light hidden behind its grill emblem was pretty nifty. Wondering does that 1?
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA Finals D1 | Fall | ยิงต้องโหด ให้เหมือนโกรธกันมาก่อน](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OnTdfGySmds/mqdefault.jpg)
Love it Tommy! Keep it up with these quirky classics. Can't wait to see this bad boy hit the dirt!
My college girlfriend had an excellent example of this little Subaru wagon. We lived in Albuquerque and would often visit her family in Santa Fe and Taos. On several snowy trips we routinely noticed that only the Subarus kept rolling and the big 4x4s were stuck on the side of the road. Lightweight and slow is perfect for the snow. Love those old Subarus - so glad you guys bought one to feature here.
In 78 at college we had lots of icey blizzards. I saw the same thing. 4x4 Suvs spinning and stuck, only Subies and those with snow chains were moving on black ice.
I’m amazed you found a non-rotted example. I remember seeing these in the mid 80s when I was in high school, but they were already rotten with rust then. Good find, and well done whoever cared for this one for decades.
Love these old Subaru's! So quirky yet good looking. Totally different than everything else at the time. You're right, they've lost their way!
Tommy, you flasted me back to 78. Our family had the white deluxe 4wd wagon with a massive off road bumper and a skid plate that can deflect any boulders . My mom drove it first, sister got t- bone on driverside rear passenger side ( her fault). The insurance company wrote the car off. We got a body shop in So Ca fixed it like new. She drove 4 yrs more handed to my dad. Big guy funny 6 ft 2. Then my older drove it . Lived in Wyoming 2yrs snow no problem. Then lived in B.C used it for landscaping tow a small trailer all year more snow at that time in early 90's car was really starting to rust. Easy to fix , but carb was a pain. Being older vehicle parts were not easily accessible and my brother was not a great mechanic. He sold it, got over 180 thousand miles 2 motors later. Ironically I was the "fix it guy" in the family who never got to own it.
Great videos TFL gang.
Hey, my dad had a 84 GL wagon! Being USAF, he carried our family of four through Louisiana, Germany, California, Italy, and finally sold it in Texas, with over 250k miles on the clock. 🥳 It's been through the Alps in Switzerland, swamps of Louisiana, deserts of America, and kept on trucking.
Bought my 79 Subaru DL 4x4 wagon less than a year ago from the original owner. Was bought in Indiana and was left in a pole barn for 25yrs. It is still in Indiana to this day! After draining a full tank of varnished fuel, flushed out the fuel lines, replaced the original locked up fuel pump and changed the oil, it fired up on with a bit of carb cleaner in 20min! The EA71 engines are very reliable. One 1 drive belt and with no timing chain or belt to deal with just makes them unstoppable!
Thanks Tommy. I have some great memories from my college days in a Subie DL. One I can share, it was not good at dissipating "weed" smoke to the outside. Think you get where I'm coming from.
Spent a lot of time in a 1978 Subaru wagon my parents bought new when I was six. Drove it when I was older. It was finally retired in the late 80s due to rust with over 350k miles on it. My mom drove 80 miles a day for work in it. My first car at 16 was a 78 Brat. Your wagon looks very very clean.
Brings back memories of my 1978 FWD Subaru wagon. I bought it in Oklahoma and brought it to grad school in Fort Collins. I would drive back and forth to Oklahoma several times a year. I got to the point where I did the 600 mile drive with only one stop for gas about halfway in (usually Mittens truck stop in Kansas). I one got a speeding ticket in Kansas for going 85 in a 65, and yes that was as fast as the thing could go--I was even going downhill!
I did so much work on it myself. I replaced the front brake pads, put in a new starter, replaced the valve cover gaskets, and cleaned the EGR valve because it would backfire if I took my foot off the accelerator too fast. The heater stopped working and I fixed it by spraying a ton of WD-40 into the linkage to get it to free up. The fuel gage wasn't quite accurate so I had to judge the fuel levels with the trip odometer (300 miles meant I should start looking for gas.)
I bought the car for $600, had to put a new clutch in it for about $500, probably spent another $300 on miscellaneous parts. As I was planning on moving back East I got hit turning into my apartment's parking lot, and it was undriveable. The other driver's insurance company totalled the vehicle, wrote me a check for $660, and told me to keep the car. I sold the non-working car to a hobbyist mechanic for $275 who then towed it out of the parking lot. So I had a car for a year and a half that cost me about $500 total.
Still miss that car sometimes. Not only was the trunk big but the rear seats folded down flat (you'd lift the bottom cushions and the backs would fold down.) I put an entire sofa in it once (hanging out the back but still.)
I read (in a 1977 magazine), that Subaru was the lowest maintenance car available. In fall of 1977, I bought a 1978 GF Subaru. Green with a black interior, 5 speed. I cruised at 100 miles per hour for at least two hours. The car was burning a lot of gas, so I slowed down after this one ordeal. I had the car for 4 years, (about 88,000 miles). I changed the oil every 5,000 miles. Even after all these miles, it never used any oil (the dip-stick always read full). The clutch lasted 60,000 miles. The tires lasted about 50,000 miles. I was very happy with this car. It was rated 41 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city (that it would achieve when I obeyed the 55mph speed limit). It was very dependable and low maintenance.
I owned a '79 GL wagon when I lived in Spokane. It was unstoppable even when the clutch cable broke. I moved to Colorado Springs and traded it for an '87 Subaru wagon that had dual range four wheel drive. That vehicle was amazing. Now I drive a '16 Outback with the 3.6 and it does well on the Autobahn in all conditions.
Always enjoyed my Subaru’s (all 8 of them, pre CVT ). It would have been fantastic to find one of with the low range transfer case. Looking forward to watching your adventures in this.
I had one of those...an 86 turbo rx sedan. Dual range transfere case with wheel drive high, 4 wheel drive high & 4 wheel drive low. It was unstoppable in snow and mud.
I had a 74 DL sedan, non 4 wheel drive just FWD and with bias ply snow tire's I was unstoppable. Snow was not an issue.I drove home in a blizzard and stop to push cars along the way and drove around the abandoned ones. When a friend bought the 4 wheel drive wagon I was truly amazed what that car could go through. And yes they did rust I bought mine in in 74 and by 79 the rust had taken over, also blew a head gasket and a cultch around 50K.
Dat spare tire. We always called those engine compartment mounted spares “poor man’s airbag”
I had an '87 Mazda 626 in college. I loved that car, dead reliable. They don't make simple cars like this anymore. I wonder if that car is still driving around Boulder...
I prefer these systems. The old Subaru's are the best. I recently restored my 1980 Subaru 1600 (dual carb) SRX. Great cars.
My grandparents had the same car in yellow. Old Subaru's were awesome and reliable. CVT's ruined the brand for me :(
I bought a ‘88 Subaru GL wagon back 1992. If I remember correctly, there were 3 different 4wd systems available that year and mine had the 5 speed manual transmission with the 2 speed transfer case. The only really problem I had was the timing belts, they were only good for about 45k miles. I got pretty good at changing them. Yes, and rust was a real problem, but I still loved that car!
A friend had a late 70’s version, 4 door sedan, hearing aid tan and sounded like a Volkswagen, every thing about this Subaru seemed so weird to us, after a couple years the underwhelming tan paint turned into rust from one end to the other, WV road salt consumed the Lil weird Japanese car. Jackson never missed work due to slick winter roads though. Great video Tommy takes me back, way back, haven’t thought that lil car in forever!!!👍
I'm glad you're guys featured this classic Subaru, it's a cool review. If you guys are going to feature classic 4wds could you do an AMC Eagle next if you could find one?
AMC Eagle Limited Wagon 4x4 that's all I will say!!!
@@WW-wf8tu yes but when the Subaru came out in 1978 there were only a few dealers. When the Eagle came out in 1979 there were dealers everywhere! Both are cool cars.
@@audreyappliance The 1980 eagles were AWD. From 81 until their demise they were 4wd. I had an 84 4 door sedan with the vacuum operated 4wd selector.
@@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080 Subarus weren't introduced in '78. The basic FWD cars were introduced about '74, the 4WD in about '75 (had a 1400cc engine). Plenty of dealers in Southern CA by '77 when I bought mine. Heck, it was popular enough in 1977 to be the Official Car of the US Ski Team that year... and the next several years.
I had 2 DL wagons and a BRAT.... when I lived in Montana...loved them all. I put dual exhaust on the BRAT and wow! Better fuel economy.. awesome exhaust noise, and it was like having an extra gear going up mountain highways.....
Looking at the new Mini and the vintage Subaru, my how times have changed.
love this! can't wait to see more on this old subie
In late 1979, just out of college I needed a 4WD. I had bought a 75 MGB out of love but needed more. My choices were the unaffordable Jeeps, Scouts, FJs, etc. I was aware of the 70s Subaru and the new AMC Eagles.
I was actually able to have an 80 Subie and a Station Wagon Eagle side by for a comparison. Both drove nicely. But I needed good gas milage. Subie was about 28 vs Eagle 14 mpg. It rained that day, when I opened the hatch on the Eagle all the water ran down into the floor. The Subie channeled all the water nicely out of the way to the ground. I got a GL with difficulties, they were a hot item then. I got one in December just before the snows hit. It was great. Later it had rust, but I discovered Duro extend rust converter. No AC, low power, very low 1st gear. Not great when interstates lifted the 55mph limits. Great car! Later I appreciated the Eagle wagon for its ruggedness and lack of rust. But never bought one.
I couldn't agree more with Tommy -- Subaru has definitely changed since I was a kid in the '70s and '80s. And not for the better, unfortunately. They were truly revolutionary back in the day, and today they're just kind of ho-hum... I'd love to see them go back to their roots. Definitely looking forward to seeing future videos with this awesome classic!!
I've been driving a 2002 Outback for six years. Love the car and it doesn't have that bloated modern feel nor all those electronic bells and whistles that are just waiting to fail.
Oh man this will be a great classic car to make a project vehicle-although I will miss the Comanche. Wish I had a spare $10k, I would love to EDD that beauty.
In 1986, my then friend got one of these as a college graduation gift from her parents. Basically, it was the red version of yours, but I seem to recall a 2sp transfer case - is that possible? She had taken a job in New Hampshire and it was perfect for driving in the snow. I remember driving that car to skiing and all over when I’d visit. At the time, I was driving a Volvo with 4 snows and an open diff and that Sub was the reason I eventually switched to 4WD and AWD - it was literally unstoppable. Never got it stuck once and we drove it down unplowed dirt roads and onto snowy fields (to park to cross country ski in the woods) - basically, all over. It was definitely not fast, the 4WD system was rudimentary and I remember the “unique” feel when trying to go “fast” on a snowy highway in 4WD. It was also quite tippy. I remember my friend rolled it one time when it slid into a snow pile and basically rolled over into the ditch - all apparently in slow motion. It got a bit dented, but otherwise didn’t require anything and just kept chugging along. Not sure I’d want Sub going back quite that far, but I do tend to agree that they’ve lost their way a bit - although I still have a 2012 Outback that we have loved for 125K and will likely have for at least a few more years.
The generation after this had a 2 speed transfer case available. I don't remember the exact years off the top of my head, but I had an '82 with the two speed case.
my old manual subaru had a feature, if you put your foot on the clutch and pressed the brake all the way down it would hold you on a hill if you took your foot of the brake. it was a great way to learn how to drive a stick on a incline
Thanks, Tommy, I love 80s Asian econoboxes, owned 87 GL Wagon - liked (all-wheel drive) didn't love it, also owned 84 Civic Wagan - loved it what a great grocery cart. Owned 70s American cars (all 10yrs old and 80k miles, 400ci engines 4brl carbs) = garbage (from the days of replacing distributor caps and plugs once a year) My first AWD car 84 Audi 4000cs Quattro - phenomenal.
When I was ten I had my first Subie experience. A red Leone stopped once on my way from school, and within, a young tremendesly beautiful school teacher asking me how I hold up on my long school way. I remember the Subie till this day.......:D Guess what, I now drive the Outback, :D
My uncle had a 1977 1\2 4x4 wagon and I had a 79 4x4 Brat, both a blast to drive and they took a pounding.
Great job Tommy! In the mid 70's, I knew a couple who bought one like this: Manual transmission and 4WD. They were a two car household and they loved their Subaru so much that they sold their second car and bought another Subaru!
Again, I really enjoyed your video! Your enthusiasm is infectious.
I had a loyale-style wagon with 1.8 and low range. Bought for $200 running. Trans had been run dry and heads ended up being cracked. Got to learn how to rebuild the unusual engine and make tools for pulling wrist pins thru holes in block and tensioning the 2 timing belts. Then a repaint and it was cool with the baja wheels. I did some climbing in low range, and even with scrawny 13 inch street tires, I was impressed how well it performed. It would have been fun to lift it and add some aggressive tires.
I had a 1980 BRAT
'81 brat for me. 1.8 liter with the low range transaxle. Last of the pushrod suitcase engines.
I grew up in the state of Maine and these things were all over the roads from the early 80's on. Unfortunately they suffered from the same weakness as the other cars of the era, rust.
That being said, I could probably count on one hand the number of times we might have missed school because of snow each year on one hand.. The road crews back then took no prisoners when it came to keeping the roads cleared. Very often I remember waiting at the bus stop staring at 6 inches of fresh snow thinking: "There's no way we're going to have school today." When along would come the snow plow with the bus right behind it.
My parents had a brown one when I was a kid, a 78. I hated it because they traded my favorite truck in for it(a 74 f100 4x4 from the forest service). But when my mom was in labor my dad was the only person able to get up the massive hill the hospital say a top. All the big Jeeps and Chevys with massive mud tires were going off the road and lil suby just chugged straight up.
Love my '89 GL Touring Wagon! Most fun cars I've ever owned have been GLs. So full of character.
Damn, I want my 1978 Toyota Cressida back! It came from Colorado all the way up to northern Ontario where I bought it back in late 80's. It still had the tire chains in the trunk.
I had 1978 Subaru 4x4 Wagon just like this one only it was tan. It went anywhere you pointed it to go! Only thing the tops of the fenders rusted out in 4 years. But all in all it was a great car!
I had two of these they were awesome growing up in Alaska we drove around stuck jeeps all the time
In 70s/80s I always preferred the AMC Eagle cars/wagons with 4WD, due to higher wheel clearance.
A long time ago, I owned the triple A Subaru repair in anchorage and it was huge overnight as every light and intersection in town was guaranteed one or more subaru's and was the highest car by population registered to drive. If you went to the valley there was one or more in the driveway and then a four wheel drive new or old but somewhere near. Most had three hundred thousand miles and still ran well but tin worms had had their way too long and became a safety problem. It was parked and another took its place so the old one was good parts. I had a Bratt with the T tops ... a early last built for america in 87, kept clean and undercoated so retained its shape very well. I quit driving it at seven hundred thousand miles. Of course by that time I installed another engine quick and a half hour completely done. The first engine went five hundred plus thousand miles on oil changes and some cv joints. My only reason parking was hauling to many extra large parts and it being tough to haul on a quarter ton truck. I did haul a 7.3 diesel engine with transmission over fifty miles to home without a hiccup. I felt safe in it but felt that truck deserved better and gave it to a elderly friend. I had the truck over fifteen years and he still has but parked in very sad condition as older people just don't maintain stuff generally.... there are the few who do but not common here.
My very first car was a 1977 Subaru 1600 DL two door. I drove it until it was a piece of junk. I actually turned it on the side on the dirt road and a couple of people help me get it back on the wheels and it started right back up but it had a flat tire.
By the way, that’s the same exact color as my car
Had a friend with a Brat and It was weird but actually was pretty good offroad and super reliable. He abused it and I pulled him out of bad situations several times in my 86 Toyota 4x4.
There was two years where they had a 4wd high and low besides the front wd. Mostly in the Brat, but I think the Legacy had it as well. Those are the rare ones. Still have my 1976 1600 DL wagon.
I was hit by a sleeping driver in my 80's Subaru - it was a total tin can instantly totaled.
I never had any of those problems locking my 89 F-150 in 4x4 as you stated. You locked the hubs before you in trouble. My truck being a manual. Push the clutch in Motion. Put her in 4 high. Or just keep your hubs locked all winter. It not as hard as you make it sound. And I live in northern Alberta.
The DL was the first subaru I rode in. My father bought one when we lived in the Far East. It survived jungle tracks and blasts along the beach. Brown vinyl seats and tiny wheels.
great video Tommy my neighbour growing up in the 70's Jim Bell had one exactly like this one, his may have been a 77, you always knew he was coming from the rumble of the boxer 4 engine, that crazy thing went everywhere during crazy snow storms and he had the factory front skid plate and a bull bar dealership installed and it always started in the very cold weather like -25/30 below, it had a manual choke so no problems and he drove it until the mid 80's as far as i can remember never heard him complain about it , i just remember it flying down our front street and the snow flying in every direction,LMAO, thanks so much for the memories and look forward to this series 👍
I have an old 75 DL 4WD and I LOVE IT SOO MUCH! Its a beast! Im glad yall got one of these.
The Subaru had no catalytic converter but it had everything else (EGR, bad ignition timing, etc.) and it worked so bad the magazines called in Sick-T which was a play on (as I remember) SECCT. It really hurt driveability, especially when cold. In 1980 they went to catalytic converters and they ran a lot better. I drove a 78 for years and when the emission control cooperated it was pretty good but when it got moody it was slower than a Rabbit Diesel pulling a trailer. I expect somebody has managed to 'Fix' yours in a manner that is hard to detect and still able to pass the typical emission testing. I recommend you drive yours in for testing after a 30 mile drive to improve the chance it passes the test. Once you fix the distributor advance curve, it runs good.
Also.... That is a fantastic example of that particular model. Congrats.
Wow that Subaru is awesome! Back in the mid 80s my uncle had a 79 Subaru wagon and it was already rusted out back then. I love the distinct rumble that those flat 4 engines make.
Once you adopt a classic Subaru, “4x140 or GTFO” becomes a way of life. (4x140 is the lug pattern)
I love your Subaru!!! I seen many of this in Puerto Rico wen I was young. Now I’m 45 years old. Thank you for make me remember very good times. God bless you and regards from Tampa FL. 😎
Hey man, we needs more cars likes this today.
A little trivia: Many of the 2WD Subaru wagons and cars had 5-speed transmissions. But the 4x4s were all limited to 4-speed transmissions because the output mechanism for the rear driveshaft took up the space in the trans-axle where 5th-gear hardware normally was.
Don't forget about the Jeep Wagneer which had decent 4 wheel drive with a true transfer case, and comfortable.
That'll teach me to comment during commercials rather than waiting til the end.
Tell us about the original AWD car, the Ferguson Formula Ford Capri. It was amazing in 1974, to see the Capri drive away on soft sand without spinning a wheel. It was heavy and slow but it was a milestone! It was just WAY groovier than the Subie.
Probably the coolest car y’all have bought. Would be a awesome project build to do something crazy with
Thanks Tommy for showing old shots of Caprice n Granada.. I remember those Subarus...I remember those front ends on them
Find a Subaru Justy 4x4. Bought a new one when I lived in Vermont. Leather hearted little beast would go anywhere. Before that, I had a mid-80's Subaru Wagon, the center "logo" would flip over and it was a fog light. I miss the whimsy of early 'barus.
Really looking forward to this series! We are huge Subaru fans!
Growing up in the 1980's in Colorado Springs, I spent a lot of time looking for a DL, and were on the market for a matter of hours! Even when they were 6 years old, they were already rusting. Great find! When are you going to sell it?!
I had the next model newer (Leone) ... rust and terrible were the two words that came to mind. It actually broke the body filler holding the A & B pillars on. So I had to duct tape the A pillar back together so that the roof didn't flap!
The other day I thought I was watching an old clip of Tommy and Roman, but it turns out it was Keith Gordon and John Carpenter on the set of Christine. Tommy today and Keith (circa 1983) look like the same person....that's crazy.
Thats a nice one. Reminds me of my Justy 1.2 12v years back. Small, simple.
Are you sure that is a '78 and not a '79? In the '80 I friend of mine had one that he took immaculate care of. We drove it all over the back roads in the mountains and had a great time. Anyway, I sent him a link to the video and his response was: "They say it is a DL which matches up with the speedometer layout, but the quad headlights are from a GL (maybe changed out at some point? )
The tri-vents in the back are positioned [that way] on the 79 model year. 78 had the vents placed vertically just aft of the quarter panel glass."
I don't know, Tom. I mean, Subarus aren't the talk of the town, but I'd say from the late-90's to present, they've ticked off a lot of the boxes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (that appears to spank all other systems)? Check. Many PZEV models/relatively-decent MPGs across their entire lineup? Check. Most advanced safety and pre-collision set-up? Check and check. Not to mention that they've become more enjoyable to be in with comfort points going up and noise levels going down. Just my two cents. Good job on the video, it's nice to see such a unique vehicle is in good hands.
Had a 4x4 International Travelall . . . big box, hard to maneuver and a constant 10-11 mpg.
Then I bought my Brat . . . so much easier to deal with and it went places the big rig wouldn't.
I grew up with Subarus and loved them. The 80's years had some ugly cars but they ran forever. My neighbor had a late 70's DL wagon and used it as a service vehicle for his motorcycle repair shop. He hauled frames, parts and engines in the back and it was a beast. I really wanted my parents to get a Brat when I was a kid.
It's great you have passion for older vehicles, may I suggest brushing up on your history a little though? First, Jeeps CJ5s had pretty good heaters and weren't too cold in the winter, even soft tops. Secondly, Jeep wagoners from the '60's, Ford Broncos, Chevy Blazers, and especially the Range Rover from 1970 on had features comparable to sedans, such as electric windows, AC, comfortable seats, great heaters, roomy interiors, (so did pick up trucks). The Subaru was innovative as it was pretty cheap, got decent mpg, and offered a decent 4wd pre '80 and awd post '80s system that was prefect for on road bad conditions and maintained dirt road mud seasons. But it certainly wasn't a first except for its size.
That’s so Colorado of you guys
I love this car! I wish they still made them like this. In the early 80s my close friend had one just like this which I often used in the Rockies outside Denver and it was great.
Great review. You should try to get your hands on a Brat. The spare tire under the hood is wild.
The original Outback, before the Outback was a thing. Cute, roomy, and efficient. Good video, Tommy.👍
Parents had a 79 Subaru GF 2 door. That same quad light front end. Great car.
Yes! More classics! I love these old Subarus! That thing is a serious time capsule.
Really looking forward to the adventures with this car. It brings back many memories from when I was a kid. Parents didn't have one but a neighbor did & the young lady that watched my brother & I while the parents were at work had one too & what I remember most about them is that spare tire. I have a 2010 Forester manual & will only get rid of it if they include a manual in the larger engined XV that they are supposedly introducing in 2021. They can keep their CVTs.
omg what a fantastic car.. hope you keep it for while
They need to bring that body style back. Much like the mini cooper. And bring back the first gen brat!!!!
I had a glf 5 speed subaru, one hellava car , got me home from harrisburg pa to carmichaels pa, in a snow storm
This Subaru, along with many other 1970's Japanese cars were extremely innovative, I knew that they would catch on when I was with my mom, and she bought a new, first year 1973 Honda Civic, and she remarked, "this car will put an end to the Volkswagen", (bug-which she traded in).
OMG !!!!
It's beautiful !!!!!
The good old days 😋😀👍🏼👍🏼. Did you buy it already fixed up???
love those old Subies! needed to get a Brat!
It's ALMOST just as notable that that Subaru is FRONT WHEEL DRIVE as well...while in the 1970s most cars (including Japanese cars) were rear wheel drive.
Those were fun to work on.
Was that a Mercedes logo on the rear squirt bag? What’s the story there? Fun video. Tommy is like Doug Demuro minus the immense amount of pretentiousness.
Mitsuba Electric company, Japan
Hey now, both my Ford Superduty trucks still have locking hubs.
Survived a rollover in one just like that.
That intro made me think of wonder years
Best car you've bought yet
Excellent video, Tommy (as usual). Glancing over the comments, I think you have the makings of a very popular series.
Interesting vid👍For Brumby ute or BRATE Pro:changing 2WD to AWD, nice low tray bed to load into, simple switch gear, revv engine Cons: Poor front CV, basic car tyres which hopeless getting out of wet field n worst seats in world, my back was stuff after long drive. Ford Falcon outback version with LSD will out perform Brumby. Great buy Tommy👍
I miss my '78 DL sooo much. The single most fun car I have ever owned.
Let me know if you ever decide to sell it. (Seriously) Local Colorado pick up. :)
My mother had an 1981 Subaru DL 4WD Wagon in blue, aside from being moderately lifted like an Eagle. The "passing light" center light hidden behind its grill emblem was pretty nifty. Wondering does that 1?
This is what cars should be like.
I saw one when I first visited Colorado in 2012 in Ouray. It was awesome to see. We don't get these in Texas.