Turning a Barn Find Subaru Brumby into the Ultimate Daily Ute

We found an abandoned Subaru Brumby hidden away in a barn in the mountains and restored it to its former glory in this near 2-hour mega episode.

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[mightycarmods]

By popular demand, here's the ENTIRE Brumby build in one video, low fat low carb with all the modding goodness. If you'd like to support the channel please check out some of the tagged products ^ up there. Developed by us for people who love cars and everything about them.

[mightycarmods]

We restored this Brumby with the help of Subaru Australia to support the Australian Road Safety Foundation, it was recently raffled and sold out within a matter of days. Thank you to everyone who supported the initiative.

[mtnvortex]

That was awesome. Sat here and watched the entire thing, front to back. I don't think we ever had as many Brumbys/Brats in the US as you guys down there, but in my late 40s, I still have fond memories of riding in the jump seats of my friend's dad's in the early 80s. I still remember the excitement of tearing through the Appalachian hills of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and bouncing through the culm dumps of the old Anthracite wastelands, hanging on to the grab handles for dear life. He used to take us fishing and hiking, in places where only the 4x4s would go. I can still hear that old Subaru engine burbling down the road, with that metallic sound, much like a VW. It was gutless by today's standards, but I didn't know that, and that sound was one you'd never forget. My dad actually drove a Subaru during that same period. I think it was a 75 or 76 DL or something. He used to like driving that thing like a rally car through the coal dumps too. I remember catching air more than once. It was almost like a different world back then. Good memories...the late 70s, early 80s.

[relco]

As someone who just spent the last 5 years restoring a 1978 El Camino ... it's incredible how similar these vehicles are, though so different. Awesome build guys! Long live the Ute!

[garygreen]

We used to have an 1800 wagon. It was such a beast.
I learnt to drive in it when I was 12 years old with my dad. You could just put it in low range and dump the clutch and it would go, no stalling.
We used to collect bush rock and logs, and even used to haul easily 2T logs dragging on the ground with a 6T straight synthetic sling choked. We broke a few driveshafts but we made it back home in front wheel drive.
We welded the rear diff.
We made a bull bar ourselves and used to smash down trees 150mm in diameter. We used to abuse the crap out of it.
It was purchased from a wrecker for $500, forklift tines straight through the windows, and dropped onto the car trailer.
We never changed the oil or filter.
We had a leaking radiator, but just filled up with water every time we used it, over heated it every single time we used it, it was driven hard and hot all the time.
It never let us down.
The carburettor was a bit tricky and sometimes needed extra choke to run the engine, but that was ok.
It was the greatest car to learn on.
Would always start straight away, and never ever let us down.

[pinkybrown]

Dudes, only new car I ever bought, 1986. It stomped through Chicago snow then moved to Colorado in 1988. The Sub stormed around on Pikes Peak where I lived, weekend ski trips around the state. Lock them out in high or scale cliffs in low. It never fucked me once, never left me stranded. It's only repair was an oil pump at 110, 000 miles, held pressure And got me home. Stick a set of snow tires on it and go try to get stuck. I have owned full size 4x4 everythings but miss my Boo.

[debendevandrieofficial]

Thank you guys for just beeing you! The content you put out, the consistent builds, the way you guys grew and took all of us on the journey with you is insane. Thanks for beeing the best 4x4 show on the interballs.

[SmallBikeStuff]

Imagine being a long forgotten about Car/Ute and then one day you see Marty and Moog pull up for a

[thelighthousekeepers]

I had a 92 Brumby with 2" lift blocks and Peugot rims. The uncommon stud pattern led me to the Peugot rims, pretty sure they were 15" and I put muddies on them. At one point, I even bought a donor Outback to do a transplant. Sadly, it never happened. I sold the Brumby eventually, the one that got away. Still have the 1983 Rx7 though. Absolutely loved seeing this build and seeing another car I owned looked after properly. Was on the mailing list to buy a ticket and have one. Amazing work guys. Cheers.

[OCDRex]

I restored/rebuilt a 1980 4 headlight BRAT ten years ago. Some of the parts cost more than the BRAT. I loved every bit of it and ended up selling it before I painted it. I regret it from time to time but projects come and go. This was a great project to watch and it made me smile the whole time. Great job guys!

[sterling]

This has to be the best car video I have ever seen..I lived in Perth for15 years worked in the mining Business as a Mechanic..The guys I worked with where the best mechanics I have come across, .Nothing was ever thrown away their was always a small family business in Perth that would repair and fabricate anything and always cheaper to buy than from a dealership, , The skill level of these guys reminds of those days..Keep up the good work and keep those vid, s flowing.

[NotrubDesign]

Well there goes almost 2 hours! Thanks mcm love these type of complete videos, even though I’ve seen them all it feels more complete. I think it’s time to release these into a blu ray box set 👍🏼

[chriskelvin]

I will never forget the wonderful BRAT. Way back in highschool, a buddy had one of these. Remember the backwards-facing jump seats in the bed? On his car, the seats were not bolted to the body. So a favorite passtime of his was to take unsuspecting friends for a hell ride over “Hell Hill”- a local dirt road with a sharp crest that you could catch air on with your car. Rear passengers would “free fall” as he would call it. BRAT jumps, BRAT lands, passengers still flying, blood-curdling screams to make up for the VW Beetle engine noise!

[Farhip]

In the US, the Subaru Brat STILL has a solid cult like following. I had two of these and absolutely loved them both one was my beater that would never die, lol, and the other I brought back to perfectly mint condition the way you have done here. The only reason I sold that thing was I was offered literally double what I had into it. That was 20 years ago and the guy that bought it lives less than 10 miles away and he still has it. Unbelievably being here in New England it’s STILL in beautiful original condition. Great vehicles. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[chrismcgowan]

Over the years I have watched literally hundreds of car build videos, never and I mean never have I seen a build that is exactly as I would love to see it done if it was mine, you haven't tried to make it something it's not and just improved what it was to a new level, I loved my brumby when I had it and put so much time and love into it before it was stolen and crashed to never return, thankyou for doing a build that made my heart skip a beat in appreciation, I tip my hat to you all

[PowerSportsQuebec]

love these complete all in one videos months after the end of the series. this is a new trend that is much more enjoyable to come back to or new viewer can watch in one binge. and the video quality is awesome...

[ghostfox]

Random from Wisconsin, having to say. You just lived thru something I can only dream to do. Loved seeing it in totality. Wonderful seeing a little vehicle give a new life and a beautiful look.

[selanz]

I watched the original single episodes during the build and still ended up watching this full build video! Congratulations on creating an awesome car guys!

[danielschmid]

Sometimes I wish there were timestamps when the clips were recorded.
Then again I'm glad there isn't to keep the magic alive and make me think these cars were fixed up in a chill weekend.
You guys have been around for so long and been in my brain ever since I saw your videos on how to turbo a Mazda, I just bought my (2nd gen) MINI back then and was looking into how to do things myself. Safe to say I've done some heavy mods myself like designing and 3D printing my own shift knob and putting my car to shady tuners for everything else. Still you guys will have a special place in my brain til the end of my days.

[ghomerhust]

i was young in the 80s, and saw these little "brats" running around, and always thought they were super cool. today, 40+ years of age, i own something similar, the VW rabbit cabby pickup. simple, reliable, cheap, and still a ute. this is one of the best things you guys have done, as far as just "details". beautiful little truck. cant wait to see that ridiculous coupe STI up next on the build list...