Description
For Sale a unique car/ pick up truck on offer for either the Subaru MV/ BRAT fan or the Tamiya enthusiast!
You are looking at a 1991 UK Subaru MV1800 (284) Otherwise known as a BRAT/ Brumby/ Shifter. It has been modeled on the Tamiya Subaru BRAT 1/ 10th scale RC car from the 1980’s. I have owned this truck for nearly 13 years, its seen little use, and for that reason I feel its time for it to move on.
This is a very rare opportunity as this is not only a very low mileage truck but also with the Tamiya mods make it unique, i've yet to see another built to this standard as a replica.
The Subaru MV
These trucks were the staple of any countryside farm, and were used and abused hence finding a low mileage/ excellent example is like the proverbial hens teeth.
This truck was sold originally by Chandlers in Lincoln and registered 7/ 8/ 1991 as J572HFW (current plate will be going with the vehicle). I did a little research on the original owner and from what I can make out, they owned a motorsport business, the truck was heavily undersealed which clearly helped preserve the truck for so long, I suspect it was this company that did it in the day. Its still on now as was very thick and felt best to leave alone.
After a couple of years it was sold to a game keeper near Derby. They owned the truck until 2012 when a good friend of mine purchased it with a view to sell on. Thats when I came in and I purchased the truck in Jan 2013. So in effect its had 2 very long term owners.
The mileage while cannot be 100% verified is, I believe to be genuine and is supported by the condition, previous MOT certificates starting in 1998 when a mileage of 25486 was recorded.
In my ownership I tackled any loose underseal locating any poor areas that required work and repaired as required. Any welding needed was done, along with the fitment of 2 brand new genuine Subaru steel wings and steel front valence (very rare at the time, even more so now) The wings were prepped and stonechipped on the underside for longevity. The MOT history since completion supports the work that was carried out.
The mechanicals have been maintained as follows
New Front Ball Joints
New N/ S Drive Shaft (new CV boots for the O/ S) I have a new drive shaft for the O/ S (didnt fit as not required)
Front brake calipers overhauled, new discs and pads and hoses.
Rear disc Brake conversion (sourced from the US as fitted to the Leone estate) New discs and pads fitted at the same time
As new original fuel tank and filler neck sourced from Australia (very expensive!!) As new sender fitted.
New Fuel line/ Fuel Pump (Hardy pump) fitted at the same time, fuel tank was prepped, primed, stonechipped/ painted/ waxed prior to and after fitment !
New Weber Carb fitted and rolling road carried out
Exhaust while not new was fitted in 2009 at 35, 000 (now 38000 !!)
New rear dampers.
Wheels have been banded to 6j with new 185 tyres at the time, spare is the original unused item!
The truck was fully stripped and painted in 2016, it has had no work done to the paint since however while it still presents well there is micro blistering to some panels, and there is the odd mark around the truck. That said it really is still very good and polishes up well.
Now the Tamiya part
To replicate the RC model, the following mods have been done.
New old stock front and rear chrome bumpers(the front bumper had holes for headlamp washers, so I sourced a new kit and fitted it, so yes they do work as intended!
Correct end caps sourced from the US to match the Tamiya model with the repeaters in the end cap!
Brand new old stock chrome light bezels and new side light assemblies
Correct straight slat grille (other than the first year of UK production, the rest had the honeycomb style grille)
Correct side mouldings with the chrome inserts as per the Tamiya model
Decal kit as per Tamiya (I commissioned that many years ago, so if you see others with that kit, its from the commission I did!)
Rear roll bar, replica of the Tamiya model custom made by me.
Front A bar, replica of the Tamiya model and custom made by me. There is not another like it !
Inside
Lovely original interior, very very rare to find one in this condition, it really is one of the best. Floor mat is excellent which is incredibly rare to find.
I fitted a multi change cd system, tape deck up front. Speakers and aerial were upgraded at the same time.
Mot till 19th July 2026 (last MOT mileage was 37958 - now on 38268) HPI clear, all docs. Full scale replica of the Tamiya RC Subaru BRAT from the eighties,
