How rare are Subaru BRATs?
The Subaru BRAT is relatively rare today, largely because its production was modest and only a subset of those vehicles remains in good, original condition.
Beyond their quirky two-door pickup design and the famous rear-facing jump seats, BRATs were produced in limited numbers for North America and other markets during the late 1970s and 1980s. Decades later, aging, rust, and a busy aftermarket have whittled the on-road population, leaving well-preserved examples as sought-after collectibles among enthusiasts.
Historical context and rarity drivers
This section outlines the core reasons why BRATs are considered rare today and how their production history contributes to their scarcity on the market.
Several factors shape how rare BRATs are today. Here are the main drivers of scarcity and market visibility.
- Limited original production compared with many contemporaries, meaning fewer vehicles started life as BRATs.
- Concentration in certain regions (notably North America) with a long time horizon amplifying attrition from rust, accidents, and simple neglect.
- Age-driven survivorship: more than four decades have passed since their heyday, so a large share have been scrapped or heavily personalized.
- Enthusiast and collector demand, which elevates interest in pristine or correctly restored examples and can reduce the pace at which clean cars enter the market.
- Parts availability and restoration effort: sourcing original components and matching numbers can be challenging, influencing how many cars remain viable as classics.
In practical terms, these factors combine to make the BRAT a comparatively scarce find outside of enthusiast circles. Clean, unmodified, well-documented examples are especially rare and often command attention from collectors and Subaru aficionados at auctions and private sales.
Market reality and regional differences
While the BRAT enjoyed nostalgia and a loyal following in several markets, its production footprint was never as large as mainstream pickups in its era. Today, you’re more likely to encounter BRATs in the United States and parts of Europe through specialty channels, clubs, and auctions, rather than as common street sightings. The rarity is most pronounced for late-model years with original interiors, factory fittings, and minimal corrosion.
Assessing rarity and value: practical criteria
If you’re evaluating a BRAT to determine its rarity and potential value, consider these practical criteria. The list below helps buyers and sellers gauge how unique a given example is and what that might mean for price and collectability.
- Originality: Extent of factory specifications preserved, including engine, transmission, body panels, and interior components. Fewer deviations from stock generally correlates with higher rarity and value.
- Provenance and documentation: VIN history, maintenance records, service receipts, and any build sheets or dealer documentation that establish authenticity.
- Condition and survivability: Body integrity (rust-free panels, solid undercarriage), frame condition, and overall mechanical health impact desirability and market value.
- Original interior features: Presence of the iconic jump seats, dash and gauge clusters, and factory seating configurations can significantly affect perceived rarity.
- Regional availability: Cars originally sold or distributed in your region may be rarer if fewer units were imported or retained in those markets.
- Documentation of modifications: While some restorations are valued by collectors, non-original modifications can affect rarity-based pricing and desirability.
In essence, a BRAT with strong originality, clear provenance, minimal rust, and intact factory fittings tends to be much rarer and more valuable than heavily modified or heavily repaired examples.
Summary
Subaru BRATs are considered relatively rare compared to many of their era’s vehicles, thanks to purposeful production limits and the decades that have passed since they rolled out of showrooms. Today, surviving examples—especially those that are original, well documented, and mechanically solid—are prized by collectors and enthusiasts. If you’re hunting for a BRAT, you’ll likely encounter scarcity in the wild, but strong interest at auctions and in specialty markets.
How many Subaru Bajas were sold?
With Subaru projecting 24,000 sales annually, 30,000 were marketed over four and a half years. Subaru discontinued Baja production in April 2006. Subaru stock-piled an inventory of 2006 models before discontinuing production, allowing dealers to continue to sell 2006 models as late as February 2008.
Was the Subaru BRAT popular?
The BRAT was restyled in 1981 and the jump seats were discontinued after the 1985 model year. The BRAT was re-introduced with a rise in popularity of small trucks being sold in the United States, primarily from Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. Production continued into 1994 but ceased to be imported to North America in 1987.
How rare is the Subaru BRAT?
The Subaru Brat is most def a rare vehicle, especially one that is in nice condition. Most of them have either been crushed or rusted into the ground. So finding a nice, rust free, clean example of a first generation Brat is tough to come by.
How many Subaru BRATs were made?
How many Subaru BRATs were made? Records indicate that there were about 100k Subaru BRAT pickup trucklets sold in the US. Most of them became work trucks and, unfortunately, have since been left to waste away in junkyards or backyards.
