Quirk Database1970sJapanTruck that shouldn't exist
Subaru BRAT
The Subaru BRAT is a car-based pickup made by Subaru in Japan for the 1978 to 1987 US model years. Its weirdest quirk: Two rear-facing jump seats bolted into the cargo bed, there mainly to dodge a 25% light-truck tariff.
A Subaru wagon cut into a ute, with two rear-facing plastic seats bolted into the bed so it could be imported as a passenger car rather than a tariffed truck. They're now a steady $15,000–$20,000 auction regular.
Quick facts
- Maker: Subaru
- Years: 1978–1987 (US)
- Country of origin: Japan
- Body type: Car-based pickup
- Weirdest quirk: Two rear-facing jump seats bolted into the cargo bed, there mainly to dodge a 25% light-truck tariff.
- Sold prices logged: 5 (latest: $17,000 at Bring a Trailer, Oct 13, 2026)
- Full story: Subaru BRAT: The Pickup With Seats Bolted Into the Bed to Dodge a Tariff on Chicken
Sold prices
| Date | Venue | Car | Price | Mileage | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bring a Trailer | 1979 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed | $17,000 | 61k mi on replacement odometer, TMU | Result for 1979 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed at Bring a Trailer ↗ | |
| Bring a Trailer | Original-Owner 1982 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed | $16,500 | 54k mi shown | Result for Original-Owner 1982 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed at Bring a Trailer ↗ | |
| Bring a Trailer | 1986 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed | $16,951 | 83k mi shown | Result for 1986 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed at Bring a Trailer ↗ | |
| Bring a Trailer | 48k-Mile 1984 Subaru BRAT GL | $19,984 | 48k mi shown | Result for 48k-Mile 1984 Subaru BRAT GL at Bring a Trailer ↗ | |
| Cars & Bids | 1978 Subaru Brat | $12,500 | 89,300 mi shown, TMU | Result for 1978 Subaru Brat at Cars & Bids ↗ |
Prices as published by each auction site, in the currency the car sold in. "TMU" means total mileage unknown.