1977 Subaru Leone 1600 - Restoration

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:28 pm

A few days ago I became the proud owner of a 1977 Subaru Leone Sedan.

This car has no structural rust, does not smoke, and covered 90,000km.

Comes with a 1600 EA71, four on the floor, a nice cloth and vinyl interior. Does not smoke! All in all, its in a nice condition for the vintage, and easily restorable.

Plan is to restore it to original condition - I already have a lot of bits and about to get some new doors, etc. The plan after that is to drop an EA81 - either twin carb or turbo in it, with the 4wd wagon driveline. Gotta love Subaru for plug and play.

Watch this space, as while I can see the build up taking a while, I think the end reult will be worth it!

Willie · Post by **Willie** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:23 am

I learn't to drive in a 4WD wagon version one of these. Great little cars!

Looking forward to following this thread.

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:33 am

BTW, admins, could you move this thread to the resto page, and then delete this message please?

jsubie · Post by **jsubie** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:09 pm

What great car. My first car was a light green two door about that age. Well done

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:01 pm

wow... another restoration! Good luck mate!!!
Cheers
AP

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:47 pm

Great! There can never be enough 1970s Subarus driving around:D. If you go the 4wd route remember the floorpan of the sedan is completely different to a wagon on these models. You will need to do a lot of fabrication to make it all fit. There is a GF hardtop on USMB with 4wd and a lift so it can be done!

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:28 pm

sublime wrote:Great! There can never be enough 1970s Subarus driving around:D. If you go the 4wd route remember the floorpan of the sedan is completely different to a wagon on these models. You will need to do a lot of fabrication to make it all fit. There is a GF hardtop on USMB with 4wd and a lift so it can be done!

I didnt realise this (my comments above were just the things I wanted to do - however I dont have much experience with this generation of cars - yet

riksta · Post by **riksta** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:16 pm

My first Suby was about that old (1976 I think) but a 4wd wagon.

My brother had one just like yours and he put 4wd in it (Dad & I helped out a lot) you can put all of the 4wd stuff in the back like you wont to do, its not that hard all the holes are there for you to bolt it up, but there are no captive nuts there, that meens you will have to pull everything out of the back so you can weld in some nuts.

You will allso need to make the boot floor stronger to take the wight of the diff, but it can be done and its not that had.

Thats all I can think of now that you will need to do, get all the parts you will need first befor you do anything, then have a look under there and see were every thing needs to go and what you have to do to make it work.

Good luck with it, hoping to see it taking shape soon.

Rik.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:45 am

Is it going to be blue???

I've just found a bloke who has a 1973 2 door coupe version - apparently it has a 1400 with four on the floor and is in pretty good condition rust wise. I didn't know these came in a 2 door version! I'm yet to see it but am pretty keen to get some pics as I may be selling it on his behalf...

Good luck with the restoration GT.

Cheers

Bennie

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:45 am

El_Freddo wrote:Is it going to be blue???

I've just found a bloke who has a 1973 2 door coupe version - apparently it has a 1400 with four on the floor and is in pretty good condition rust wise. I didn't know these came in a 2 door version! I'm yet to see it but am pretty keen to get some pics as I may be selling it on his behalf...

Good luck with the restoration GT.

Cheers

Bennie

Nah, its going to be completely original, except for a worked (forgies, high comp, twin carb etc) EA81 and 5 speed. Probably put factory air con and p/s in too.

They came as 2 door sedan, 4 door sedan, coupe (slightly lower roof line than 2 door sedan), hard top (different rear windows to coupe that could also be wound down and no middle pillar), and station wagon. His car has EA61/EA62/EA63. These cars are as rare as hens teeth but arent worth much ($50-$250 depending on body style and condition).

messiah of fire · Post by **messiah of fire** » Fri Aug 05, 2011 1:32 pm

gerday mate i have also just bought a 77 subaru wagon !wondering if you still have yours and any spares????

messiah of fire · Post by **messiah of fire** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:54 pm

hey does anyone out there have any parts for the old 1974 to 1979 subaru wagons? chasing some tail lights and a front passenger indicator?? just trying to fix up an old wagon that is still licenced and sort of running.

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:42 am

Hi messiah

It would have been better to start a new thread asking for parts rather than using this one, however I do have a 1978 parts wagon (taillights are slightly different to a '77).

PM me if you are interested and we can discuss.

Cheers
Lee

mud_king91 · Post by **mud_king91** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 6:53 pm

thinking about buying one of these... whats the dash like ( appearance wise ) ?

Swagman · Post by **Swagman** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:50 pm

messiah of fire wrote:gerday mate i have also just bought a 77 subaru wagon !wondering if you still have yours and any spares????

Hi I have a 1977 white Subaru that you might like. It goes well and has good tyres. It's a classic.A few shillings would be great.0412817488:)

Willy Fisterbottom · Post by **Willy Fisterbottom** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:47 am

Swagman wrote:Hi I have a 1977 white Subaru that you might like. It goes well and has good tyres. It's a classic.A few shillings would be great.0412817488:)

Hey Swagman, Long shot but do you still have this car?

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:50 pm

Willy Fisterbottom wrote:Hey Swagman, Long shot but do you still have this car?

Posted in September 2011... long shot?? I reckon but good luck

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 6:45 am

probably dosn't even have the fone number firnished for enquiries !

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:04 pm

RSR 555 wrote:Posted in September 2011... long shot?? I reckon but good luck

Like I tell my students - If you don't ask you'll never know

I wonder what GT legs is up to these days, I've not heard from him in some time

Cheers

Bennie

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1977 Subaru Leone 1600 - Restoration

1977 Subaru Leone 1600 - Restoration

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