At first, this 40,433-mile 1985 Subaru GL surprised us by popping up in Phoenix, Arizona. What does a state need with a quirky, all-wheel-drive hatchback if they don’t even know what a snowflake is? But it makes sense that such a cream puff would only survive in a winter-less wonderland. Northerners bought these to drive into the ground, and most Yankee Subies have been returned to the earth in flakes of iron oxide.
But look at this gem. The interior is still as fresh as a dew-covered blueberry. Somehow, the copious vinyl on its door panels and seat backs have eluded the cracking effects of the desert sun.
The slushbox is a bit of a disappointment but let’s face it, you were never going to do a Ken Block impersonation in this thing anyway.
The owner is our kind of guy. It says right there in the ad that only true enthusiasts need apply, all others can shove off. And if none step forward, he’ll find it a good home at a dealership. Kidney, anyone?
[craigslist via Bring A Trailer]
Even though it looks excellent I’d still keep my kidney! 😀
But then again: I’m not really a scooby fan. 😉
BTW: I wouldn’t mind owning own one of those 4WD Justy and see how “proper” 4WD they actually are. 😛
Unless I’m greatly mistaken,you can adjust the ride height on those.I think my uncle said he could on the station wagon he had until last year when the battle on rust was finally lost.
Kidney stays in my body this time. lol
If it was Brat, then umm….maybe.
I had a friend with one of these years ago. He beat the crap out of it jumping sand dunes around Wenatchee, WA. Still ran great!
banpei-Don’t worry about the four wheel drive thing, I’ve seen some Subaru’s make it places the big guys couldn’t go!
Awww come on, not every Kidney Special can be a Datsun or Toyota :). I’d wager this Subie is rarer than a comparable condition Z or Celica!
Are we certain this is 4wd? I see no indication of such, and these came FWD only as well.
Although, it’s a lovely car.. i’ll keep the kidney, thanks. It’s not even a 5spd turbo.
It looks like a FWD.. it has no 4WD stickers or emblems to indicate such… or no On-Demand 4WD button on the shifter(or dual shifter, if they had those) to shift into AWD mode.
I always loved those cars. Nice, and practical and looked good as well. That one isnt a 4WD. 4WD’s only came with a manual transmission. I dont know abotu a kidnew but i would like to know what he wants for it.
Ok smarty pantses, I guess FWD makes more sense for ‘Zona, but I ain’t rewriting the whole post 🙂
Vic: there’s a link to the ad. $3450
if it only it were an 4wd …
This thing belongs in a museum! I’m glad the owner is so adamant about finding it a good home.
Actually was a 2 wheel drive model i own a brown one but it has front differential its strange
Looking at it, it’s a FWD model, only the 4×4 models had adjustable hide height. If it was 4×4 you would see a selector bar next to the hand brake.