In the present day’s Good Value or No Cube Subaru provides the chance to play hide-and-seek with its spare tire as it’s cheekily carried underneath the hood. Let’s see if its price ticket makes the entire automobile an equally stunning discover.
Any used automobile advert that implies the value demanded will rise as work is accomplished — as was the case with the advert for yesterday’s 1974 Chevy Camaro — is usually shortly dismissed by potential patrons. In spite of everything, the asking value is meant to be the place to begin from which negotiations inevitably go down. Within the case of the Camaro, that place to begin was $16,650, and with the automobile needing apparent consideration in additional than only one place, that was deemed too excessive by the overwhelming majority of you. In the long run, the Camaro was crushed underneath the burden of an 88 % No Cube loss.
It was the double whammy of tightening emissions controls and a pair of gas crises within the Nineteen Seventies that prompted automobiles just like the Camaro to fall from favor. The gasoline shortages had been perpetuated by interruptions in crude oil provides as a consequence of political upheavals and outright wars within the Center East. That set gross sales of massive, thirsty V8s right into a tailspin, opening the door to smaller, extra fuel-efficient automotive choices.
One such instance of the smaller, extra fuel-efficient automobiles that got here from this period of spiraling costs and restricted gas availability was Subaru’s line of sub-compact AWD automobiles and sort-of vehicles. These provided safe part-time AWD functionality however in a smaller bundle than a standard 4X4 truck and with sometimes thrice higher gas effectivity.
This 1979 Subaru 1600 Wagon is simply such a automobile, representing Subaru’s first foray into that four-wheel drive market. Offered because the Leone in Japan and a few export markets, Subaru correctly selected to easily model the automobiles as Subarus right here within the States, thus reinforcing its then lesser-known model. A sequence of badges, comparable to DL and GL, denoted the trim ranges.
This one lacks any type of such mannequin descriptor, and whereas it does appear to be a reasonably lowly-spec’d version, it does have the corporate’s iconic AWD and seems to have each A/C and an AM radio. It additionally has its spare tire underneath the hood, sharing area with the 1.6-liter EA71 flat-four engine. In U.S. spec, that engine made a factory-rated 67 horsepower and 81 lb-ft of torque. These ponies are routed via a four-speed transaxle and could be set to energy both the entrance axles alone or all 4 by way of a second shift lever on the tunnel.
Sadly, the vendor providing the wagon provides us completely no details about it in anyway, save for the mileage ( 98,745 miles) and a sequence of images exhibiting a clear, if age-worn presentation. No plates are proven within the footage, however, being vendor provided, we are able to most likely assume the title to be clear.
Wanting on the footage doesn’t set off any alarm bells. The automobile’s paint is OK. It suffers some floor rust right here and there, however nothing too horrible. The jaunty facet stripes add a little bit of aptitude, as do the comically small wheels, which had been normal on the Subaru on the time however at present look extra applicable for a small backyard trailer. The fender-top facet views are a pleasant contact however would require a pal to regulate correctly, so that is most likely a automobile that loners and hermits may wish to keep away from.
The brown vinyl inside appears stable however well-worn, exhibiting cracks in each the sprint and the skinny plastic rim of the steering wheel. A “Jesus Loves Skate” sticker on the glovebox door provides some perplexing messaging, and it seems that the motive force and entrance seat passenger have to share window cranks because the one on the motive force’s door is lacking. The again seat space and cargo flooring seem unremarkable, which is an efficient factor since there’s not a lot happening there to start with. The hatch appears to remain open on its single, huge strut, which can also be a plus.
What are we to make of this previous Subaru? It’s too previous and much too good to throw into each day driver obligation, and it’s not your conventional collector automobile both. At $7,499, we’ll now have to resolve what’s to come back of this AWD wagon. Or if it’s even value attempting to take action.
The place do you are available in on this old-school Subaru and that $7,499 value? Does that appear honest, given the automobile’s presentation? Or is that an excessive amount of to ask with so little description?
You resolve!
Fb Market out of Moses Lake, Washington, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Invoice Lyons for the hookup!
Assist me out with NPOND. Hit me up at remslie@kinja.com and ship me a fixed-price tip. Bear in mind to incorporate your Kinja deal with.
