Barn Find Restoration Project - will it start? [EP1]

It's been sitting in an orchard for over a decade, we're going to drag it out and see if we can start it before embarking on a full ground up restoration, the likes of which we've never attempted before.
If you're in Australia and would love to own this when we're finished restoring it, Register your interest here! www.subaru.com.au/arsf-brumby
More about the Australian Road Safety Foundation: arsf.com.au
Thanks to Subaru Australia who are supporting this project and helping to raise funds for road safety.
Pick some apples! www.shieldsorchard.com
More Mighty Car Mods on other socials here:
Facebook: / mightycarmods
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#Subaru #Restoration #Barnfind
Also something to note around Mighty Car Mods: we are normal guys and are not trained mechanics. We like to make interesting car mods and show you how we've gone about it, but we can't promise that anything we show you will work for your particular car, or that you won't harm yourself, someone else, your car or your warranty doing it. Please be safe, be responsible and unless you know what you're doing, do not fool around with very serious machinery just because you've seen us make it look so easy. Talk to a qualified mechanic if you are in any doubt. Some of the products featured in this video may be supplied by sponsors. For a list of our current sponsors please go to mightycarmods.com

[@daltonknapton]

That bloke seemed like a great chap! Hopefully the local MCM fans all go for a tour of his orchard and give him tons of business!

[@JB-sv5pr]

Aloha gang !!!!!!

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

Future Sydney MCM Meet venue?

[@kc550]

Though he couldn't take a few seconds to listen to Moog's story about him growing up on a goat farm "to carry the go.... to carry.... to carry the goats".

[@Electricalwav]

@@kc550give him the benefit of doubt. He was clearly not comfortable with the camera.

[@kc550]

@eduardoboquin4102 I'm sure he's a nice guy, was just a weird moment of forced interruption.

[@harry1558]

It's crazy to think just how far Mighty Car Mods has come from the TRD laser but at the same time you're still exactly where you were in 2009

[@goofymcadams]

TRD LASER was a weapon haha

[@mouaxiong8618]

NOTHING beats the trd laser

[@faspit95]

I have a lot of history with Brats here in the States. Was a fully certified Subaru mechanic back then. FYI you can raise or lower the ride heights with a wrench, they have jacking bolts on the struts, and they worked! I even dropped a small block chevy engine in one because you cannot have enough power. Watching this build and hoping you build the parts one as well. These are great reliable vehicles.

[@zanerasmussen8889]

Manual adjustable suspension? That’s sick.

[@austingutierrez2709]

Oem manual adjustable suspension ?!?! That’s so fuckin cool !!!

[@EinKerl3554]

As I recall the jump seats were very uncomfortable and very dangerous.

[@george_cramer_1980]

@@EinKerl3554 they were put in here to get around a tax on trucks in the US because the rear seats made it a 4 passenger so it wasn't classified as a truck. Toyota also got around some of the import taxes on their small pickup trucks in the 80's by sending them to the US missing the lower side panels on the beds so they could claim that they were incomplete vehicles and made and installed the panels here so they were partially manufactured in the US. The Japanese were really crafty at getting around some of the taxes here to be able to sell their cars here far cheaper than their US counterparts.

[@clivefraser1848]

It was called The Chicken Tax, in response to European farmers putting a tariff on US frozen chickens.

[@Valdess90]

as always, a great episode! I think that shoutout to the farm was worth more than 3K the farmer got for the Subarus. Really like seeing MCM supporting farmers like that

[@SilmSlice]

Absolutely worth more, it's a shame it's not apple picking season!

[@therockbiter8140]

Brats came with the jump seats in the back as a way to get around the chicken tax that the US imposed against small imported trucks. It was cheaper to throw a few blow-molded seats with grab handles in the bed to make it a four-seater than it was to pay the import taxes on a two seat small truck. I remember these all over the place as a kid.

[@meteor5452]

Ford did that when they brought the transit connect over from Türkiye. They’d remove the seats once they arrived and ship them back to the factory for the next batch.

[@taznz1]

@@meteor5452 Ford got fined $1.3 billion for that tax scam in 2021.

[@tomanderson6335]

​@@meteor5452 And most small Japanese pickups were shipped over as chassis/cabs and the beds were installed at or near the port of entry (and the beds were usually North America specific, hence why you don't see prominent lips and tie-down cleats on the later USDM Toyotas, Nissans, Isuzus and such).

[@mightycarmods]

We are excited to embark on such an ambitious project! This kicks off the start of a series of videos focussed on this mad old car. Want to own it when it's all done and finished? Register your interest here, more details to come (once we make sure it's actually going to work) www.subaru.com.au/arsf-brumby

[@IcelandicElements]

Iceland

[@Barry.ONeill]

Can't wait 💯👌 maybe the next project could be yous trying to buy cheap drift cars and go do some tandems together like falcons or something I'd love to see yous at a drftt matsuri 🤙💯

[@D4VE26]

Me.. ship it to the UK 🇬🇧

[@Barry.ONeill]

Yous could turn the doner shell into a drift car that would be class when yous are done.

[@wolfinpdx]

I'm so stoked!

[@bloke2034]

So bloody cool that you were approached by Subaru to do this, congrats guys. Can't wait for the finished product.

[@michaelfletcher5749]

VERY EXCITED to finally see a Brumby on the channel!! I'm lucky enough to own an EJ turbo swapped brumby, the smile it puts on my face and the looks it gets every time I drive it is priceless. You blokes are going to have a lot of fun with this one and i look forward to watching it unfold.

[@marcrutzou_gets_puss]

that drone shot from the clouds was truly remarkable

[@Hardfunkingcandy]

Seems like the perfect candidate for the sti engine that was in the grovel before the built 6 went in.

[@FFM0594]

That'd require an awful lot of hacking and chopping to get it to fit. Let's see.

[@swisscourthustle]

Even the standard Levorg engine (1.6L?) would go alright in this little thing. They have a couple options sitting around!

[@craigmandall9420]

I've been for a ride in one that had a wrx driveline fitted and i don't think it was too difficult. The chassis rails needed some massaging with a hammer to clear the cam covers from memory. Could have been more issues but this was over 20 years ago

[@Merjia]

@@swisscourthustleoh yeah true! That would be really cool to see a super modern engine in such a classic

[@Gray-beard]

STIMBY LIFE

[@TheGarnetNugget]

Finally some proper vintage Subaru action from a huge channel! Can't wait to see where you guys go with this, the pre-Impreza Subies need more love and deserve to be preserved more ❤

[@PennyroyyalTea]

Seriously taking me down memory lane. This was the first car my Dad and I used to go down to river with and slide it around in some mud. Can't wait to see what you guys do to it!

[@Merjia]

So pumped for this build! Brumbys are MAD cars, I’ve worked in many farms that have used them. Imagine telling Marty from 2009 that this is what he’d be doing in 2023, working directly with Subaru Australia. What a ride 😁

[@ElFreddoAndRubyScoo]

Such a recognisable starting noise for those familiar with the mighty EA81 these came with from factory! Great to see this iconic Subaru ute on the show felllas!

[@duddsification]

How did you comment this 5 days ago stop time travelling please 🤣

[@tommc3622]

He's busy posting on the "Brumby build part 4" video right now.

[@petert3355]

Personally I would have thrown some fresh oil at it before kicking it in the nuts, but that is just me.

[@ElFreddoAndRubyScoo]

🤷‍♂️ start of this series breaking the interwebz?

[@welshwrangler]

Yesss! Super excited to watch this restoration! I used to work in a summer camp back in the late 90's in Illinois and I drove a white Subaru Brat with the jump seats in the back!!! It was an epic car and this episode brings back so many good memories. The camp also had a beige coloured Subaru station wagon that was so rusted in snapped in 2!

[@802Garage]

I knew it was gonna be a ute, but I was not expecting a Subaru BRAT! I actually rode to school in the bed mounted suicide seats down dirt roads when I was a kid. It was absolutely surreal it felt like constantly being launched backwards in a small rocket. I arrived completely covered in a fine layer of dust. Such cool cars and I really hope I can own one someday.

[@southpaw335]

Great choice of project - and even better you’ve got 2, would love to see the ‘purity’ build plus a mad mod sti swap monster.

[@jyoung188]

Didn't want this episode to end! Can't wait to see the work you guys do to this rad little car/truck :)

[@4realtime783]

such a good one if you like old school jdm cars check me out!

[@psyolent.]

this. exactly this. love these

[@crispbacon641]

Ute mate it’s a ute

[@jyoung188]

@@crispbacon641I feel like a poser saying “ute” as an American haha

[@Richorob]

I used to literally go out with a “dairy farmers daughter” & the Brumby was such an awesome, reliable beast around the farm & taking it into town… Can’t wait to see this project! 👍🏻

[@Jimmy2D-wx3lq]

Oh man! I need to track down my '86 Brumby. First of the unleadeds, AM radio, pull choke - fantastic. I dont know how many CV joints it went through but it got me from B&S to Ag College and all places in between. I think its somewhere between Gunnedah and Walgett. This is going to be a great mod series. Thanks guys!!

[@jamespaterson7178]

I love them. I have owned a bunch, and done ej swaps. They are a thoroughly underrated ute. And a lot of fun

[@danielbarriosromero6139]

Can’t believe you guys keep pumping out quality content back to back, we are all here for it!!

[@chickentonight22]

Glad you boys are doing barn finds, absolutely love them!

[@MrPropanePete]

Looking forward to this. I worked on the very first Subaru’s to come to Australia and PNG in 1973. They seemed really weird to us at first with the boxer engine, etc, but proved to be virtually indestructible. Most of the work was only servicing as almost nothing ever went wrong with them.

[@chrisvarney6857]

Still the worlds best 4x4 channel!

[@reecemiller2932]

Our family has a brumby and its easily one of the best cars we've got. It surprises you how much this car can do. Cant wait to see this build

[@aitp]

I was hoping it was a Brumby but didn't actually expect it! Love them! Especially when you open the bonnet on them and (usually) see the spare sitting there! So cool!

[@antonyevans9772]

My grandfather had one of these, in red with the box/ cage on the back. Been lookin for one since he passed, to no avail. This video took me back to trips in that pick-up with him. Thanks lads.

[@glynnjohnson9065]

I grew up learning engines/cars on EA81 and 82's. Such great little engines. My first engine conversion was EA82 to EJ22 on these cars, they make such epic little tourers.

[@TheManLab7]

Like pretty much EVERYONE. I cannot WAIT for this build to be completed and for it to look like brand new again 😁

[@lmig238]

I honestly wasn't expecting that aerial view in the intro. I appreciate you guys bringing such quality content.

[@Texburrito03]

Can't wait for this build! My cousin had a BRAT in the US and we used to love riding in the jumper seats in the bed. Amazing.

[@andrewcook495]

I'm having a pretty shitty week, but this just made it so much better. I was NOT expecting to see one of these on the channel. Very excited to see the rest of the build now!

[@revengefrommars]

Hopefully next week is better.

[@bnlucas4911]

Me as well man. I truly am grateful for creators like MCM giving us something to take our minds off of the crazyness for a bit. All the best my friend.

[@tobywalker813]

Hope you’re doing okay mate

[@Jacobtheunwise]

When you're having a bad week remember, it could always be worse

[@ronaldov09]

@@Jacobtheunwise And it could always be better...

[@darrylmac6150]

I absolutely adore these little things, i hope to get my hands on one some day. Thanks for getting one up and running again. Also, class act doing it for charity. Absolute champions lads 👌

[@landothegreatest666]

Hell yes! I am legit so excited for this. Can't wait for the Resto. And maybe the parts car can become an engine swap monster?

[@Saadi_Lyfe]

You know something awesome is coming up when whistling is involved... ❤❤

[@Sam-sl5zv]

The EA81 engines in these use timing gears instead of a timing belt or chain. Pretty fun and unique.

[@wasbiishot]

Y'all never cease to amaze me with the ability to find new and interesting video ideas after so many years. I've been watching since the very early days and not much in my life has been as constant as MCM.

[@bgik12]

This is the worlds greatest 4x4 youtube channel. But not for the cars (which are pure nuggety goodness) for the adventures they take us on and the people we get to meet along the way. For that reason MCM will always be a step above the rest.

[@boris8787]

I love the Blue Mountains & Chillingbourne. 💙💙

[@Jordash45]

This is really cool. I’ve always really liked these cars, no idea why, they’ve always just appealed to me. Can’t wait to see this project play out.

[@chrisred87]

Restore one WRX swap the other?👍

[@kelvinp45]

I bet Subaru saw the Levorg build series and thought, "these guys have what it takes!" Good on ya boys! Looking forward to you guys working your magic on the Brumby 😁

[@benjaminkaper21]

Aw man, I’m so excited! My first car was a 1985 Subaru L series wagon, my mum bought it new and she gave it to me when I got my license, I always wanted a brumby but never got one, good on you guys, they’re such a great little car, my L series had 460,000kms on it always serviced by the people that serviced it since new Subaru Lismore and then the chief mechanic and top apprentice went into business together (now no longer) Thank you for the nostalgic tears!

[@BaMenace]

... 3 years + ... and you still haven't brought out the GEMINI

[@FiftySixishTV]

Give us the Gemini! Nah fr tho I'm pretty sure they will have been chipping away at it slowly in the background and only releasing the video(s) when they finally have a result. Perfection takes time and that's probably what Marty is going for.

[@mattfisher4256]

Desperately want to see the Gemini also want to see the return of 2sexy, the 2 door STI and find out what broke on the Hilux

[@BaMenace]

I emailed them aswell since they obviously don't read the comments.

[@jdmfreak22]

​@@BaMenaceomg

[@Frontman936]

It’s their car. Can do what they like with it.

[@twelevensies]

Just seen a very nice rebuild of one of these on Larry Chen's channel. Will be cool to see what you guys do with it.

[@10Gnagsta01]

probably the exact same thing....not very original

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I sold my Brumby back in 2011 and have wanted to find it again recently. Fixed it up with my grandfather and drove it to Brisbane from Central QLD. Was a great car. I saw it the other day but wasn't able to catch up with the person driving. One day! Bigger exhaust tip gave it the best sound.

[@malifestro3319]

So excited to see this! My first car was a 1983 2 door Subaru GL with 4wd and 4lo system! It was fantastic but had a slow weak motor. If this had 130+ hp fuel injected motor and a nice 5 speed that would be great! I am sure you guys had mad plans 6 months ago when you started working on this project. Can't wait to see what it becomes!!

[@liamnuske4572]

Hi guys, I’m so over the moon about you guys doing a brumby as that’s my pride and joy, all my mods on the brumby have had inspiration from your show!!!

[@user-xl3cd4jb7q]

Back to your roots guys. Well done. Let's go, I can't wait to see the outcome.

[@chakadog100]

My mom had a Brat that she bought new in 1979 that she always talked about having so many awesome adventures in, and I've been searching for one thats not rusted out to fix up for her as a retirement present. Im really excited about this build series!!

[@dabird54]

This is such a cool project! Stoked for this one. I love picturing the brumby hauling around goats, such a fun story.

[@dragonbrownies517]

My mom's first car was a BRAT! It was silver with pink brush and rollbars. We last seen it in 2014 in Aberdeen Washington. Always loved these little trucks. The Subaru DL/GL Sedan and Wagon had the spare tire right in the engine compartment as wel. I had two DL wagons. Both were 1986's with 5speed fwd trim.

[@matthiasschmitt2311]

Hello, Matthias from Germany here. I love you channel, you projects and what I really like is the nsw aussie accent. Sounds so much better then british english. :)

[@AustralianShootingChannel]

I used to own an old L Series Wagon which has similar running gear to the old brumbies. They're ripper cars lads! So much fun! Can't wait to see this project unfold. Keep up the great work!

[@dcallan812]

Nice project to dig into. 👍👍 VW Beatles have the jack and spare in front, the old ones also used the air pressure from the spare to push the washer fluid out. So if you washed your windows often you had a flat spare. 🤷‍♂🤣🤣

[@craigmiller7063]

This is something I can definitely watch a couple times. I love the Subaru brats and brumbys. My first vehicle was a 1978 Subaru brat.

[@flyingeye9133]

I remember having one of these in red as a farm truck in north wales during the 90s 🤗 loved it and diring busy harvest season it was the support vehicle carying all the tools and parts to deal with brakedowns and it was our canteen it had an aluminium canopy on the back 🥰

[@redoz9768]

Awesome project car! These things are awesome, I use to do deliveries in one back in the 80s and they go pretty good as well, the stock 1.8 will pull great front wheel burnouts, and the 4WD makes them very good off-road. I can only imagine how it will perform when you go full MCM on it.

[@json8172]

Love the brats. The jump seat handles were so strange and rad.

[@LeShiznit]

Man that takes me back! Haven’t seen one in ages, in Sweden they were called 1800 pickups and came with t-top-style sunroofs. I also think the Finns even got a “Longbed” version if i remember correctly! Looking forward to see this build, maybe even a “Restomodded” one of the spare parts car?😅 You guys are awesome!!

[@comfort_in_discomfort]

Brings back memories of my 1985 Subaru wagon. 5spd 4wd. So fun. Same white spoke wheels.

[@feral4mr2]

Yes! I was going to buy one of these, brand new in 1991. Had all the brochures and pictures, colours chosen. Bought a 1973 zf fairlane instead, what a beast it was. hahaha Looking forward to seeing this little ute come out smicko!

[@deanjurgens1651]

So happy i found this absolutely golden piece of automotive content in this forest of autocontent

[@aronbennett4760]

I love it when old jewels get new polish... This is going to be fun.

[@Thebeardedtourer]

Absolutely love brumbys, the first car I remember off my grandparents was the wagon version that they did 3 laps off Australia in with a home made camper

[@danielandersen8206]

WOOOOOW!! Looking forward to seeing what you have planed for those cars :D

[@eko89er]

And this is how you do a damn "unveiling". No thumbnails or titles that spoil the surprise. This is the first time in years I've not been spoiled by those and was genuinely surprised when I saw them. Love you guys and love your videos! Good on ya!

[@pettergardo3874]

Had one of those when I was working as an electrician in a Swedish ski resort. It would go anywhere on that mountain, just skidding over rocks and bumps. Great cars 🚘

[@fast_raccoon]

Awesome! Can't wait to see this one progressing! And with Subaru behind you, this should be an epic restoration :D

[@hrsniperguy]

I remember working on Brumbys, great little Utes, then I moved to a Subaru Dealership for 15 years, best time of my life.

[@robinditchburn9054]

There was a Brumby on the pumpkin farm I worked at in Queensland. No rego, beaten up, and only ever driven on the farm but it was the best!

[@nickthesportlover]

3:21 ❤❤❤❤❤❤ Can’t wait to see what you do with these Brumbies.

[@kinkong1961]

wow i live in the original Bilton In rugby England didn't know there was one in your lovely country to love your show and this project will be awesome have been watching since the very beginning when you used to do the repairs on your drives as young ones the show now is world known and you guys are famous around the world and for all your hard work you have deserved every minute of your success and your show goes form strength to strength so all the best from Bilton Rugby UK.

[@GTiR23]

This is Bilpin

[@logancole5267]

Driving my 85 BRAT home to this... so happy for this build

[@TaffPlays]

My grandpa used to have a Brumby years ago! This is bringing back a lot of memories, like twice when it lost reverse, it had wet seats ever since I remembered, and he used to take his dog for runs with it on his property. Unfortunately this was the last car he owned before he died, and now it hasn't been registered since 2016 and now you never see these anymore. To see you two restoring one and making it even better than brand new got me on the edge of my seat! Can't wait for the end product.

[@awd_subie3529]

Yes love this fellow brumby owner can't wait to watch more!

[@kraizy1]

Can't wait to see Aaron back on the Mighty Car Mods screens, Keen to see how the thing runs once its finished

[@daviddetweiler7658]

Congrats on getting Subaru involved!

[@jonnythunder92]

Im sooooo hugely chuffed with this episode for the mighty Brumby....I did some time as a jackaroo after school west of Nyngan and the Brumby we had out classed most if not all of the other 4WDs....just kept going...

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

Oh, man. This is exciting. Brats are so cool!

[@sjoerd14v]

This is absolutely amazing. I just imported a 1990 1.3 Leone from Belgium to the Netherlands, and it's such a great simple car. 70.000km when imported, 5 years of sitting in a shed and last month did a trip to Denmark (2200kms). Love it, and love the project! Keep it up!

[@grootjnr]

Loved these in the 80s in the UK , great find guys!

[@MRDJBURNS]

Oh hell yeah Brumbys! They go forever and ever!

[@cianmurphy8266]

I have a 1990 brumby gen 2 they are an absolute beast of a car. You treat her well she’ll never stop💪🏼

[@scotthemedic]

Next level cinematography on this one gents.

[@redbackspider]

We used to run around the streets of Darwin with people in the back of our utes. So much so I had speakers in the tray so they could listen to musics. It was awesome!!!!!! :)

[@estewar03]

7:30 the little Brumbi looks just like my first vehicle from this angle. My first vehicle was a 1978 Chevrolet El Camino, 350ci motor 2bbl carburetor & was BLAAAACK, smoked like a Korean BBQ but was super reliable. In the states as you know we call them a Bratt & I have always been a fan of them.

[@mjenner89]

These are so rad! I hope Subaru brings them back with the resurgence of the mini truck.

[@SD88WA]

Love this ep! Also had a little chuckle, Bill from Bilpin 😂😂

[@vitorpassos309]

Really awesome, cool to see this coming back to the roads.

[@kevinhys7260]

When I was about 8 or 10 years old, my uncle used to have one of the same model 30+ years ago. We always sit in the back and it's really fun

[@Flipstar117]

We grew up with a brumby that my Dad owned. Such a cool car. And now he is slowly restoring another one. Great work guys!

[@damiencolls]

My 2nd car was a 89 brumby, that I bought 2nd hand, 2nd owner for 9k back in 95. Put a 2" lift under it and flogged it on the beaches of Bribie Island. Sick little car, slept under the toneau cover on a blow up mattress when out camping. Great memories all round. Reverse doughnuts on the grass was fun too.

[@sum-tingwong9936]

My neighbor had a blue one of these when I was a kid and his son would take it blazing through the woods. I loved riding in the back jumper seat.

[@jeremysimpson8199]

Booyah! Well done men, my first car, can't wait to see your work. Go the Tillies!

[@oggycat73]

You just managed to surprise me yet once again. Great content !!! Thanks for that.

[@swedebug2889]

Awesome project! Quite a lot of 'em around before all rusted away. :D

[@tonyday7632]

Great new project series idea. I am looking forward to following your build. I always wanted a Brat when I was in HS. The bed mounted jump seats just seemed so kool. Here in the states, my Jeep CJ-7 had the scissor jack in the engine compartment , mounted on the fender well. Tires were way to big to fit in the engine compartment. Plus there was no trunk, probably the same on your Utes, although they are under the passenger seats in pickup trucks.

[@n8tn808]

Always love these!!! Thanks Guys!