1987 Subaru GL 4WD Wagon: A Remarkable Junkyard Find with 324k Miles
When it comes to finding historically significant cars in junkyards, I have certain criteria. For a Toyota or Honda, the odometer needs to show at least 400,000 miles for me to consider photographing it based on mileage alone. However, with Subarus, it’s a different story. Even in Subaru-centric Colorado, it’s rare to come across one that has surpassed the 299,999-mile mark. Today, I stumbled upon a Subaru GL 4WD Wagon with an impressive 324,780.5 miles on its odometer, making it a remarkable find.
In fact, this car is now the second highest mileage Subaru in my Junkyard Subaru Odometer Hall of Fame. It falls just behind a 1998 Legacy Outback wagon with 341,418 miles and ahead of a 1993 Impreza wagon with 319,554 miles. (There’s also a 311,342-mile 1997 Legacy sedan that I haven’t written about yet). It’s worth noting that Subaru only started using six-digit odometers in 1981, so there’s a chance I may have missed some half-million-mile Subarus during my walks through the junkyard.
Subarus from the 1980s were not as sturdy as they are today in my opinion. However, the main reason owners don’t keep them on the road when expensive issues arise is that they often choose to upgrade to a newer and more powerful Subaru rather than invest in repairs for their beloved but aging vehicles. In Colorado, it’s practically an unofficial law that residents must own at least one Subaru. I should know, I have two myself – a ’96 Sambar and an ’04 Outback wagon.
Although Subaru never used the name “Leone” for its North American models, that’s precisely what we have here. The first Leones arrived in the United States in 1972 and went through several generations until they were sold as 1994 models. During the 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. version of the Leone was simply referred to as “the Subaru,” with the exception of the Leone-based BRAT pickup. Trim levels were often used as de facto model names, and around here, most Subaru enthusiasts refer to all 1980s Subaru Leones as GLs since it was the best-selling trim level. However, things got confusing when the non-Leone-derived XT was introduced in 1985, followed by the Justy in 1987 and the Legacy in 1990. For the final period of 1990-1994, the Leone was renamed Loyale.
This particular car is a GL, positioned above the DL wagon but below the mighty GL-10 wagon in the 1987 Subaru longroof prestige pyramid. Its original MSRP was $10,708, which would be equivalent to around $29,883 in 2024 dollars. In addition to wagons, there were also Leone hatchbacks, sedans, coupes, and the RX, which would later serve as the ancestor of the WRX.
While air conditioning came standard on the 1987 GL, this car features an extra-cost option for an AM/FM/cassette radio with metal, track detection, and auto-reverse. Back in the day, hardware like this was necessary to truly appreciate the hits of 1987.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 1.8-liter SOHC boxer-four engine, delivering a modest 90 horsepower and 101 pound-feet of torque. Considering the car only weighs 2,395 pounds, this power output was sufficient. There was also a turbocharged version available with 115 horses and 134 pound-feet of torque.
In late 1987, Subaru introduced its first true all-wheel-drive system in the United States, which they referred to as “full-time four-wheel-drive.” This car seems to have that system, as it has a high/low-range selector, but lacks the switch to choose between front- and four-wheel drive. Subarus with front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive were sold in the U.S. until 1994, with only front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options available in 1995. Since the 1996 model year, every new Subaru sold in the United States has been equipped with an all-wheel-drive system.
So why did this car end up in a junkyard? Firstly, it’s rusty – not too bad by Michigan standards, but quite far gone for the High Plains of Colorado. Secondly, it was involved in a crash at some point and had its body parts replaced with salvage yard pieces. But perhaps most importantly, everyone in the region who collects these cars already has a surplus of them and simply doesn’t have room for more.
The DL version of this car had sealed-beam headlights and was featured in memorable TV commercials that contained subliminal messages. Subaru has always been known for giving customers a great deal rather than an excessive amount of hype. Personally, I prefer the Ruth Gordon BRAT commercials from a few years earlier.
All in all, this 1987 Subaru GL 4WD Wagon is a remarkable find in a junkyard with its impressive mileage. Despite its rust and crash history, it serves as a testament to the durability of Subarus from that era. While times have changed and newer models offer more power and features, it’s always fascinating to stumble upon a relic from the past and appreciate how far automotive technology has come.