bryanthompson

I know this car well. It lived a couple houses down from me in San Diego for about ten years. The previous owner approached me about buying it recently, because I've often expressed my admiration for the car. He ended up trading the car in at this dealership for a new model. Here is what I can say about the car: It was a flawless time capsule when he took ownership of it about a decade ago. But after years of sitting outside, poor maintenance and several repairs at a Tijuana garage, it will need special attention to be correct again. The compression seems low, and he struggled to keep it idling after driving it to Los Angeles for me to inspect. Hopefully, the dealer has addressed some of the mechanical issues before selling it, although judging by the still-missing wheel center cap, perhaps not. Attached are more photos of the car I took this summer, when considering it as an addition. I hope someone rescues it. All my best! BT

Number 1 is flawless. It's perfection. Do it. Please. The rest have been done to death.

I think Subarus are lucky cars in general; Always sort of detached from the trends of their time, but happy and friendly just the same...

Nice Gen 1 has a near miss at about :24. (sorry if its already been posted - ) BT

This made me laugh out loud! It's so true. Why go to all the trouble to do everything first rate and then falter on the heart of the car? It's a decent engine, actually, but just not anything you'd expect to find in the back of a "sports" car... Still, I can't help but get a BIG GRIN, like this : every time I drive it.

Not a Subaru, but I just had to share my new baby. 23k miles; It's SO much fun! It's just so Guigiaro in its uncompromising, flat panel, fabulousness. And there is something comically cool about emerging onto the scene from gullwing doors. It's from the past; it's from the future.. It IS the 80's. I LOVE it! BT http://www.bryanthompsondesign.com

Now, THAT"S a good looking custom. It's flawless and I want it. By the way, I have a huge image of this car hanging in my studio. It's almost life-sized. I love this design. Great find. Like Paul said; Don't make a joke out of it. Keep it real! BT:)

Neat! Well, I'm one of the purists in the bunch so I say bring back the orange and let its funky flame shine bright! That's an awesome color. My parents had the exact same car in that color when I was a kid. Mom drove it without the oil cap from Prescott to Phoenix once and that was the end of that car... You've got a Super Subaru in a Picturesque Paradise! BT

Looks great. Will look better stock. Peugeot wheels look out of scale; they're from the wrong era. Just sayin.' You got a vintage charmer here. Let the charm shine through! BT:)

Wow. Where do you live?! Judging by those majestic desert mountains, I'd say New Mexico or Eastern Arizona. Nice car, by the way. Wonder what color is was originally.

Congrats. Pretty please, don't cut the wheel arches on this guy;)

I'm glad you guys saved that little guy... What a charmer!! Those Subie designers had such a benign, sweet and friendly aesthetic going back then. Gotta love it.

When I worked at Peugeot years ago, this old Renault was fashionable because Renault had just released a retro concept car called the "Fiftie" that was a tribute to the 4CV. See pics, it was really cool: http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&q=renault+fiftie+concept&btnG=Search+Images

I'm definitely going to ask. He seems to be very knowledgeable and really likes these old cars. I know he has a beautiful black Brat. Whatever else I find, I'll pass along to you guys. -B

Hey folks- Check this out- Here's a Subaru-Saved Good Karma story for you; So this little 74 needed a head gasket and I was debating whether or not to get into engine work. Decided to go ahead and fix it; Did some research and found that right here in San Diego is a great Subaru Mechanic. His specialty: vintage Subes. So I had the car hauled out to him and the day it arrived in his shop, a friend of his showed up. He hadn't seen the guy in years; But they used to work together at a Subaru dealership in the 70's. When the guy saw my car sitting there, he said he has TWO brand new engines for this very car sitting on their crates that he just wants to get rid of. Short story made really short- We agreed on a price and the little car is getting treated to a shiny new engine. The guy is happy, the mechanic is happy, the car will be saved, and most importantly, I now have a Subaru mechanic for future projects. I love stuff like this. BT:) Oh yeah, anyone want an extra new engine? PM me.

Hey folks. Having fun with this little Sedan but she needs a new headgasket. That's way out of my realm... Anyone out there near San Diego? I can compensate for parts and time (pm or call me 858.220.2820) Thanks:rolleyes: car pics:

Thanks, guys. I am in love with that orange body color, too. It's like... creamy tomato soup. I also think its so cool/bizarre that this year has space for two spare tires... One in the trunk and one under the hood. You know, just in case. BT

Hi fellas- Finally got home and had a chance to snap some pics for y'all. Enjoy! I can't get over those awesome "Ultra-Japanese" tail lights. Link: BT

Ha! I dunno. I like the hunt and the process of rebuilding them more than anything. To me, they're like the model kits I loved to build as a kid, only... bigger. But you never know... I have a few treasures that I'll keep forever so we'll see. Off to NYC tomorrow but when I get back I'll pick up the car and snap pics- I promise. BT

She's here! I'll post pics soon, but what a beauty. She's only been in SD for about two hours but she's already up on the lift getting her health check. It's gonna be another fun restoration. Anyone got leads on: Shift knob Rear license plate bracket Nice slotted wheel covers White insert vinyl for seat (the hounds-tooth pattern) White door panels And any other great NOS for 74's! Peace, every one. Hope all is well out there in Subaru-land. BT

Aw man- That's an awesome car. we had the very same one when I was a kid. Can't wait till my 74 arrives! Good luck on your next one. BT

LOVELY! I want to live in one of those when I spend all my money on Subarus and can no longer afford the mortgage. Thanks for sharing. Another great one is the Eriba Puck. My favorite! BT

THANKS! I love that Tab too- Lots of fun. I wish they would make one with the same charm, and a little less tear-drop. BT

Hey fellas- A Brat might not be able to pull it, but I bet you could almost put one inside for some serious off roading trips... I lead the team that designed this trailer. It's finally on the market. What do you think?! I'm a proud papa! Here's one on ebay: Looks like they've jacked up the price a bit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200085188970&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:2 also, home page: http://basecamp.airstream.com/design/bryan-thompson-basecamp.html

Don't get discouraged. Trim parts like lights and steering wheels pop up in the strangest places and I'm sure everyone on this board (me included) will keep an eye out for parts that you need. From your photos, it looks like you got a really nice, practically rust free car to start with. That's awesome. BT