Jack in Norfolk

Anybody else have one they could measure? Thanks

Does anyone know where the picture of a group of convertible Subarus parked outside the conversion shop is located? I want to share it with a friend but can not find it anywhere. Thanks!

Does anyone know of a good place to take an old Subaru (EA81) near Boston? Preferably on the North Shore? I know good mechanics, but I'm not sure that they are particularly knowledgable with these older Subies. I have a driveway, but not a garage, so I probably won't be able to do much of my own work until it warms up. Thanks!

Glad to see that you changed the post. Thank you for your consideration. More importantly, I was really glad to see you note that Shawn is a good guy! Always good to see things come to an amicable resolution. Aside from our shared interest in these awesome and quirky little cars, the thing that has always made this forum stand out to me is the level of decorum. There is a distinct lack of D-bags on the USMB. Since my first Subie, I have owned Toyotas, Hondas, a Jeep and a Dodge. The other forums can be brutal! Ask one wrong question, and someone with a whole lot of "keyboard courage" is posting awful things about your Mom simply because you are a "noob." Somehow, we don't seem to get into the negativity, the politics, the "toxic masculinity" and all of the other crap that pops up on other car forums. I have found the USMB members to be genuinely good folks and I truly enjoy the camaraderie. So thank you for re-affirming all of that today IrocDude. The Subarus we like are growing scarce, and eventually, the knowledge of these cars will as well. We all make better friends than enemies and it's in our best interest to to find a way to keep on keeping on as a community.

Sounds like you've made up your mind, and I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but have you considered bolting on a 2x8 to act as a wooden bumper until you have some time & loot to fix it properly? I don't know the laws where you live, and this probably wouldn't fly here in Massachusetts, but this was a pretty common "repair" when I was growing up in VA. You can take the boy out of the South.... It's a nice car and I'd hate to see it discarded because of s lame insurance adjuster.

I didn't see anyone else mention this, but Shawn is not the creator of the forum; Billy Clements created it sometime before I joined in 1997 or so. I'm not saying this to defame Shawn at all, but rather to point out what a good guy he is for taking over USMB and acting as "curator" of this long-running wealth of Subaru knowledge and community. Had I been in the buyer's situation, I would also have been frustrated with the events that took place and the time frame, especially given the lack of communication (obviously the most frustrating part of the ordeal). I'm glad that some resolution has been reached, but Shawn has been accused of being a thief, something that has proven to be untrue. Those words remain in plain letters for all to read. A public apology is in order. If the buyer is still pissed about the way things transpired, that is certainly understandable, but the criticism should be based on what happened, or rather what did not (effective communications) rather than allowing an untrue accusation to stand.

Wonder how hard it would be to make some reproduction pillar emblems.

Does anyone have the dimensions of the stock radios that went in the early 80's EA81 cars? I'm wondering if any of the companies making modern replacements for classic cars have anything that would fit. https://www.retromanufacturing.com

Looks like this one had headlight washers! Was that ever offered in the US? Any guesses on what the button to the right of the defrost does?

I agree with all of these criticisms. Particularly the advertising! I mostly hate FB, because of all of the time I spend (waste) on there. I have a very scattered group of friends and FB has proven a somewhat effective way to keep track of everyone. What I do not like though is how strained some of these relationships can become based on divisive issues like politics. If I were in a bar with a buddy, I feel confident that we could put a disagreement to rest pretty quickly with a joke, but man do things get heated on social media! I am certainly outspoken, but at the same time, I am not interested in getting into it with most people about hot button issues like religion and politics. I always liked USMB because there is a certain level of civility here; a "live and let live" spirit. I have had other cars and visited other forums for Jeeps, Dodges, Hondas, Minis, etc... Some of those mofos are crazy! There is an unwelcoming feeling to some of these forums. Because USMB is such a cool place with great members I have come back to this forum with non-subaru questions from time to time in the non-subaru areas of USMB. I've always received great support there too. So thank you all for providing a place online where I feel at home and can access such a wealth of knowledge. Hope the day never comes when USMB dies out!

I agree with Paul; this trend of forums moving to FB is not my favorite, but in this case I am glad to know that the USMB action is still going on somewhere. The lack of activity and missing cast of characters here had me concerned about a general lack of interest.

https://barnfinds.com/rare-ragtop-1983-subaru-gl-convertible/ I thought the one in this article was Andrew's. I've always wanted to go to one of those events. Thanks guys.

Some folks on the FB group are asking for replacement badges for their EA81 and 82 cars. It has been a while, but I remember somebody on USMB selling reproduction badges for these cars. He had JDM badges too. Does anyone know who this is/was? Thanks

Carfreak- Is Richie still inhere at all? Moose- I thought Andrew sold his. It was the blue one with the white top, right?

Just a casual survey. I know Scott has one down in Florida. As a community, I'm curious to know how well we are doing hanging on to them. Thanks!

It appears that this car is not for sale, but in the personal collection of a dealer. This thing is so cool! Headlight washers, EA81t, cool wheels, and the floor mats are epic! http://www.duncanimports.com/used/Subaru/1983-Subaru-Leone-cbef23e20a0e08ba71bd5d5e892f836f.htm

I've been living in MASS for 7 years now and I think I have seen exactly 2 Subarus built before 1990 in New England. I am very jealous of your Brat!

Did you end up buying it?

I know this is an old thread, but I'm wondering if the transformation was done? As Moosens will tell you, I have had a convertible at the top of my wish list for a very long time. I would also like to change some things around when and if I find a drop top. Thanks!

I realize that this is an unusual question, maybe even the first time it has been asked? I have always wanted a Brat, since before I could drive. I have a spoiled rotten German Shepherd that we rescued. She is accustomed to having the whole back seat and being able to stick her face out of the window of a 4 door vehicle. I'm wondering where Brat owners put their dogs when they go for a ride. I doubt she'd sit up front, and I'm guessing that a Canopy and some bedding back there is the way to go. Hard top owners- I love these cars too and am thinking about trying to pick one up. The back seat is an added plus. I'm wondering if when the rear quarter windows are down is there enough room for a good size dog to stick her face out of. If this sounds like ridiculous criteria upon which to base the purchase of a car, that's because it is. Somewhere along the way I'm afraid that I have become one of those crazy dog people. Thanks very much

Not a bad idea. I guess I just always worry about sealing in existing rust with something as permanent and concealing as Line X. I understand your premise of starting with something clean, but living in salty environments, I guess I'm a little hyper sensitive about the possibility of oxidation that I may have overlooked on a "clean" 22 year old car. In other words, your idea is a good one, I am just kind of psycho about rust because of previous experiences.

I don't blame you. That is a really nice brat!

Do the back seats fold down and give trunk access in these old sedans and coupes? If so, do they split, or does the whole seat back come down? Thanks

Was the ziebart applied when the car was new, or later on in its life? I'm wondering if spraying the bottom of a car built in 1984 and expecting decent protection is a fool's errand.

Your car is fantastic! I am jealous of the headlight washers! I’ve seen them on the XT6 in the US, but that’s it.