David Martin - MY 83 Brumby

My association with Subarus started way back in February 1985. 1 had been thinking about buying a Brumby for a few years, to use as a work vehicle. 

Early in February I went along to the Motor Show and saw the Club's stand, it was pretty impressive, with a central mound of sand and two Subarus parked as if they were climbing it. The MY wagon was owned by Peter Nixon, called the "Silver Streak", it had silver painted sills, it was in gleaming condition. The other car was a mud splattered silver MY 4WD sedan call "Murph" owned by Clint Lovell. The name was a play on the saying Murphy's Law because it had a habit of breaking things, it was a bitsa that Clint had built up from his previous high mileage wagons. I found all this information out after I joined the Club later in the year.

On a Saturday morning in late February I was about to leave home and go and buy a good used MY82 Brumby that was in a car yard at Windsor, when the phone rang. It was a friend telling me about a hail damaged sale at Annard & Thomson were having at Breakfast Creek, it is now called Subaru City. In January '85 Brisbane's north side had a damaging hail storm. I was not really concerned about the hail damage as it was going to be for work. There were two Brumby's to choose from both low mileage with log books and the price was right, I quickly choose the white MY 83, most panels were damaged, some worse than others. Speaking of damage the very day I picked the car up, I was testing the car's 4WD capabilities at a local park and bent the rear number plate protector bracket.

The car's first trip was with Phillip S who had a Suzuki Sierra then, it was a round trip via Spicer's Gap, then on through Condamine Gorge and then home via the Lions Road and Murwillumbah. In the next few months I went along to the Club's meeting at Milton Tennis Court Rooms, Big Phil came along too, we arrived just after the meeting started and I remember, Charleen L, escorting us through the meeting down to the very front row. At the meeting I met Trevor Bell and found out about lift kits. A month or so later I had a Trevor Bell 2" kit fitted At least a year later 14" wheels were fitted, they were bought second hand from Big Phil's first L85 Series Touring Wagon. It wasn't until September '85 1 joined the Club and went on my first Club Trip. It was the Nanango Stock Route, I arrived at the meeting point in Moore and had not put my name down on the trip sheet, it was before the days of the new member booklet. From that day onwards I have been hooked, I still try to attend as many trips as possible. The Nanango trip was a weekender for some and at the trips end, some of keener day trippers followed the campers back to Emu Creek, where their camping gear was, we also drove on some extra tracks that were a bit steep in places. I remember Clint L saying to me reassuringly that I should be alright because the Brumby had dual range and a lift kit.

On the Spicer's Gap track

The Brumby's first harder trip was Mt Widgee, I remember making it to the hair pin turn, feeling quite shaky. Years later also at Mt Widgee this time being tail end Charlie arid descending after a shower of rain, the last part of the track became very slippery, with everything locked up and gaining speed, we skidded for at least 50-100 metres before the turn off from the steeper part of the track. That would have to rate as one of the hairiest rides, along with a similar incident at Brooklyn 4WD Park in Northern NSW. Another one was on Stradbroke Island crossing a deep creek and stalling because of wet ignition, the back of the Brumby started to float. I remember a crew of helpers pushing the Brumby out. Big John's camera was under the seat, it got very wet.

Crossing a creek in Sundown National Park

Because I was having so much fun with the Brumby I decided to keep my existing Datsun 1200 for a work Ute and keep the Brumby as a back up vehicle, but using it mainly for Club work. After 11 years and over 100,000kms on the clock and considering where it's been, the body has had a few knocks and scratches, nothing major. Before I got around to cutting the guards, I did an MY80 dent* at Black Duck Creek, it was a good reminder to cut the guards.

Over the years I have had a pretty good run on trips for break downs. The worst problem was breaking first gear in the hills at Ormeau in January '95- it was my one and only tow home job. Back in the late 1980s I had to disconnect the tail shaft, to get home after bending it on a rock in the Numinbah State Forest. I have had the usual wear and tear things happen like knocking the exhaust, bending a radius rod, diff carrier - you have got to expect things like this happening when going off the beaten track.

On the Nanago Stock Route

On the mechanical and accessories side of things a lot of parts have been changed or improved to increase the car's off road ability, the best being the lift kit, 14" wheels, 3.9 ratio - 5 speed wagon gearbox with lower low range and diff lock. The engine is original, it has been removed once to replace the rear engine seal, the oil pump seals have also been replaced. The outer left hand front CV is original, so to is the left rear wheel bearing and the four rear DOJs except for the left axle shaft. Being a member of the Club certainly helps when it comes to expert help and advice for repairs and improvements.

When I bought the Brumby I would not have thought in my wildest dreams the fun and interesting places visited, you could have from a car. If you want to make some great new friends and discover South East Queensland and beyond, your on the right track by being a member of the Club.

David Martin SC180

Webmaster's Footnote: David has since installed an EA81 Turbo into the Brumby and it will now go up the side of a brick wall - as if David couldn't make it do that before anyway!.

*MY Dent - The early (MY) series Subarus have a nasty habit of creasing the front guards vertically above the wheel arch when the front impacts the ground. To avoid this, cut the bottom of the front guards off below the rubber trim strip.

Where David's Brumby Is Usually Found - Out Front!