Description
The Subaru BRAT (or, using the Hot Wheels spelling Subaru B.R.A.T.), (outside the United States known as the 284 in the United Kingdom, Brumby in Australia, and Shifter, MV, Targa or MPV in other markets), is a light duty, four-wheel drive coupé utility, sold from 1978 to 1994. It was an export-only model, never being officially sold in Japan. Developed in Japan in 1977 at the request of the President of Subaru of America, the BRAT was introduced to match the demand for small trucks in the USA, from Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. Unlike these trucks, all BRATs had four-wheel drive. It has other features such as an optional T-top split roof, a spring-loaded hidden door for a side step into the cargo bed, and a spare tire mounted under the hood. The spare tire necessitates an oval shaped air intake breather. Due to truncating demand of pickup trucks since late 1970s as Japanese customers shifted to station wagons at that time, Subaru never considered marketing BRAT in their home market.
The United States versions also had carpeting and welded-in rear-facing jumpseats in the cargo area. These were claimed to be a tariff-avoidance ploy, with the plastic seats in the cargo bed allowing Subaru to classify the BRAT as a passenger car - charged only a 2.5 %, compared to 25 % tariff on light trucks due to Chicken tax. They were discontinued after the 1985 model year.
Versions
The Subaru B.R.A.T. has come out in the following versions:
| Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2012 | The Hot Ones | Orange | Black & White stripes on sides & hood | Unpainted / Metal | Tinted (Black) | Black | HO | W3781 | Thailand | 
| |
| - | 2013 | Hot Wheels Boulevard Mix 3 | Dark Olive Green | Black & Light Olive stripes on sides, hood & roof, '8' on sides & hood | Unpainted / Metal | Tinted (Black) | Black | Chrome & Black DDRR | X8291 | Malaysia | Base code(s): F05
Named Subaru BRAT |
|
| 29 / 30 | 2014 | Cool Classics | Spectrafrost Red | Red stripes on sides & across top, race deco on sides, '9' on sides & hood | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Grey | RSW | BDR50 | Thailand | Base code(s): H05
Named Subaru BRAT |
|
| 123 / 250 | 2015 | HW Off-Road Hot Trucks 7/10 |
Metalflake Dark Blue | Yellow, Orange & White stripes on sides & hood, '22' & race deco on sides & hood | Chrome / Plastic | Tinted (Black) | Black | Gold 5SP | CFK70 | Malaysia | Base code(s): H24, H29
First time in the mainline Named Subaru BRAT |
|
| 123 / 250 | 2015 | HW Off-Road Hot Trucks 7/10 |
Pearl Sandy Brown | Grey, Red & Black stripes on sides & hood, '22' & race deco on sides & hood | Chrome / Plastic | Tinted (Black) | Black | Chrome Red 5SP | DHY01 | Malaysia | Kmart Excl: Nov 07, 2015 Base code(s): H32 First time in the mainline |
|
| 3 / 5 | 2016 | Car Culture - Trucks | ZAMAC | Black stripe, 'Subaru' & 'BRAT' on sides | Matte Black / Metal | Tinted (Black) | Black | Chrome & Grey RR8SP | DJF89 | Malaysia | Base code(s): J24
Named Subaru BRAT |
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| 4 / 5 | 2018 | Car Culture Shop Trucks | Gloss yellow enamel | Red/black tampo on hood & bed walls, "Sooby's Off Road" on sides | Matte black / metal | Clear | Black | RRMAG | FLC23 | Thailand | Base Code: L20 | 
|
| 6 / 6 |
2019 | Off Road Trucks | Red | Black and yellow stripes on sides and hood, '208', 'Subaru', 'Goodyear' and sponsors on sides | Chrome / Plastic | Tinted (black) | Black | Tan OR6SP | Thailand | Walmart Exclusive Base Code: L51, M01 | 
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Gallery
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