1984 Subaru GL 4WD Station Wagon

Photo Collection of Entire Project Build and Progress Pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204966530108894.1073741831.1410574593&type=1&l=5e385d0a1b

YouTube Video Links:

Exterior Video: https://youtu.be/fEpeENhBtfU

Interior Video: https://youtu.be/Ctj88DaoIOQ

Engine Video: https://youtu.be/lPxpQRwv90Q

Vital Statistics:

• 1984 Subaru GL 4WD Station Wagon

• 4-Speed Manual Transmission

• Dual Range 4WD

• Mileage: 240,000

• I’m the 3rd Owner (would consider possible trades for something equally as rad and comparative in price)

• Located in Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

• Runs, Drives and stops. So could be driven onto a transport trailer/hauler

The Narrative:

In June 1979 the Subaru Leone (DL and GL) series saw the Second Generation rollout with new model updates. This Second Generation saw a release of the of a two-door hardtop coupe, three-door hatchback, four-door sedan and the Station Wagon. By fall of 1980 America began to see this new generation of export sales.

Today offered for sale is Suzie the Wild Suby a 1984 Banana Cream Second Generation GL 4WD Station Wagon. This is also the last year that this Second Generation was offered (well..not technically as the BRAT and hatchback models continued till ’87-ish...but I digress).

When the project for this restoration / preservation of the GL began, it was all about keeping it stock. Offering the best of the best of the Second Generation Leones. By combing the internet, old dealer manuals and faint recollections of the original GL I had owned in high school; the hunt began for the proverbial best, coolest and most rare offerings this generation had to offer. This kicked off more trips to eBay, USMB, junkyards, salvage yards and pull-n-pick places across Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Utah to get to where we sit today.

To the keen observer this ’84 wagon might look a little out of place as the Second Generation models of these Leone’s were most easily identified by their headlight configurations. In the USA, up-level trim vehicles could be identified by headlights – early GLs had square while others had round; later GLs had quad square headlights and lower series had single squares, with 1982 being a transition year (2WD GL=quad square, 4WD GL=single square with third light, all DLs=single square, STD hatchback=single round). 1980–1982 models also featured an optional third headlight hidden behind the grille logo (Third-Eye, Cyclops, Passing Light). The logo moved up and out of the way when the driver activated a switch on the dash, revealing the extra headlight and activating it when the high-beams were illuminated. So while this Wagon came stock with the up-level quad headlights offered in ’83-’84, it now has the ‘lower-level’ round headlights as offered in the 80-81 hatchback model years. Why you say? Cause it just looks cooler…that’s all.

This is one of the many stories behind the preservation of this wagon. Whether it be the lower-level chrome bumpers that were swapped for the faded plastic ‘up-level’, or the chrome trimmed tail lights offered on the 80-82 model years or the elusive Jackman Rally Rims manufactured for Subaru in the late ‘70’s, or the round shift knob on the gear shifter...or or or…the list goes on.

So if you’ve made it this far, you are definitely a Suby, Soob, or Subie enthusiast and will begin to appreciate the list below of improvements, maintenance, and modifications made on this old gal. I don’t want this to be a story of ‘my loss your gain’ but rather a story of moving on, and letting someone else enjoy the work that has gone into the Wild One thus far. And when you do buy Suzie and total all of the receipts that have kept in the binder, you will see the deal you have gotten yourself into.

Motor Highlights:

• Carburetor Rebuild - July 2016

• Head Gasket Replacement - June 2016

• Water Pump Replacement - June 2016

• Spark Plugs - June 2016

• K&N Air Filter - February 2015

• New Muffler - September 2014

• New transmission and motor mounts - June 2014

• Always regular Oil Changes

• Has Factory AC installed, but not belted up currently

Body Highlights:

• Round Eye Conversion - June 2017

• Vintage Rally Stripes - July 2016

• Driver Door / Fender body work / repaint - July 2016

• Rear Quarter Panel rust repair - April 2016

• Window Roller / Door Dyna-Mat Rebuilds: August 2015

• Jackman Wheel Powdercoat and Install - July 2015

• Taillight Conversion - February 2015

• Chrome Bumper conversion : July 2015

• Misc: Luggage Rack Parts; new sideview mirrors; spoiler install; mudflaps; chrome gas cap; emblems; sticker collection

Interior Highlights:

• Refurbished Carpets / Dynamat - July 2016

• Glove Box Refurbishment - February 2016

• Stock Radio Installation / Console Rebuild - July 2015

• New Upholstery - May 2015

• Dashmat - May 2014

• Cargo Cover - May 2014

• Misc: All panels removed cleaned & dynamatted; original stereo installed and working; vintage rubber mats; cargo cover; rear carpet; new hatchback shocks

Running Gear Highlights:

• Steering universal joint serviced and rag joint replaced - June 2017

• New Front Brakes - March 2017

• New Studded Snow Tires - November 2016

• CV Axles Rebuilt - August 2016

• Rear Differential Seal - May 2016

• New Summer Tires - May 2016

• New Rear Brakes - April 2015

• Wheel Bearings - May 2014

• New Struts / Shocks - May 2014

Extras:

• Weber Carburetor (DGEV 32/36 w/ electric choke)

• (5) 14” 4x140 Peugeot wheels and lug nuts (Direct fit)

• Third Eye / Cyclops / Passing light and switch

• 2” Hitch Receiver

• Original interior Upholstery

• 3 Different Repair Manuals

• 2 Cans of touch up paint

• Original Grilles and Headlight Bezels

• Vintage Barrecrafter Ski Racks

• Rain X Car Cover

• Prestige being the star of Yakima Roof Rack display booths at Outdoor Retailer Salt Lake City and Interbike in Las Vegas - Summer 2015 (see Facebook Photos)

• Parts and Parts and some more Parts from well over 30 junkyard cars (lights, interior pieces, blinkers, antennae, spoilers, floor mats, ashtrays, shift knobs, grills…)

Final Thoughts:

Lastly, let’s just be real for a moment. This is a 1984 vehicle. 55 MPH was the running speed limit. Time was slower. This Subaru was never fast even on day 1 from the factory. Let’s face it, it has 240K original miles and I bet many more if driven right and maintenance continues. I've got all service records for the last 3 years that document all the improvements stated above. But the motor is getting tired, and the car will benefit from a new motor and transmission....someday. But today is not that day.

This car runs, drives, stops and turns heads every time it is driven. It has spent its life garaged everyday for the last 3 years. I’m not a professional restoration guy, I’m not a fabricator; so much of the restoration and preservation was done on a DIY level. Not perfect. But functioning. If you're an enthusiast you'll be excited to carry on this restoration, or if you're 16 and this is your first car like it was mine you'll be stoked to find a car as rad as this to bump around in. Best of luck bidding cheers!

Fine Print:

Car is also for sale locally, and we reserve the right to end this auction at any time due to local sale. Clear Idaho Title in Hand. PayPal only. $500 Non-Refundable Deposit due immediately. Full Payment due within 2 calendar days or sale is cancelled. For Sale AS IS. No Returns. No Refunds.

I’m also very willing to help you with logistics in shipping the car (i.e. be there when the semi shows up, take the car to a shipping pickup location, meet your uncle and his flatbed trailer, BUT I won’t pay for the shipping).

Photo Collection of Entire Project:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204966530108894.1073741831.1410574593&type=1&l=5e385d0a1b

YouTube Video Link:

Exterior Video: https://youtu.be/fEpeENhBtfU

Interior Video: https://youtu.be/Ctj88DaoIOQ

Engine Video: https://youtu.be/lPxpQRwv90Q