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Subaru Brumby
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1971 - 1979 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
Flat 4 "boxer" |
Capacity: |
1361/1600 cc |
Power: |
50 kw @ 5200 rpm |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number Built: |
n/a |
Collectability: |
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After only a few short years of distribution in
Australia, Subaru quickly garnered a level of enthusiasm
rarely found in Australia for Japanese cars, although
it certainly nowhere near that for the revered Aussie
sizes and bent eights.
Most found the Subaru simply “unusual
and mechanically interesting”, and who could
blame them. A small four cylinder 4 wheel drive Japanese
utility with a boxer engine was certainly not following
any formula we were used to at the time.
And although
initially the appeal of the Brumby would have seemed
limited, this was certainly not reflected in the
sales or demand generated.
The Brumby was powered by the Subaru 1600cc horizontally
opposed four-cylinder “boxer” engine
that produced a rather limiting 50 kW at 5200 rpm,
but thankfully low-down torque was reasonable at
110 Nm at 2400 rpm.
The first models of the 'Sub'
(as it is affectionately known) were prone to producing
an unbearable amount of mechanical noise; however
with second generation models this problem was to
the most part rectified.
The transmission was through a regulation four-speed
manual gearbox, and no low range transfer case was
fitted. Consequently the Brumby made do with a rather
tall first gear, not really acceptable for a fully
fledged off-road vehicle.
But on the positive side,
engaging the rear wheels by pulling back on the “4WD” lever
would bless the Brumby with plenty of traction, and
given its featherweight status when compared to more
traditional 4 wheel drives, the Brumby could actually
traverse rugged terrain well beyond what many considered
it could, or should.
Another more minor “plus” was
that, unlike most 4WDs, the Brumby did not need to
be brought to a stop to engage 4WD, thereby helping
you get out of trouble without losing forward momentum
when the terrain caught the un-weary off-roader out.
But what really set the Brumby apart from the majority
of its competitors was its fully-independent suspension.
The front used a conventional MacPherson strut arrangement
found most front-wheel-drive vehicles; the rear drive
arrangement added to convert the Subaru into a four-wheel
drive however was also independent.
The more traditional
four wheel drives may have proved more capable off
road with their conventional live axle set up, but
the Brumby’s independent suspension provided
a blissfully smooth ride (by 4WD standards) on both
road and rough terrain.
On the bitumen, in two-wheel-drive, the Subaru displayed
typical front-wheel-drive characteristics, with power-on
understeer and power-off oversteer. Unfortunately
with an empty rear tray the Brumby was somewhat skittish.
Appointments and comforts were up to typical Japanese
standards, and they managed to retain their value
very well. Overall practicality was limited by the
two-person cabin and small tray, but nevertheless
the Brumby was distinctive and individualistic, and
soon became a favorite with the young. |