1983 Subaru GL 4WD Wagon on Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerHere's a Subaru wagon from a time when the company was far outside the mainstream.It's got huge mileage but extensive servicing and is obviously well cared for.It's deeply practical but also totally collectible.Last year, the two best-selling Subarus in the U.S. market were the Crosstrek and the Forester, both of which are just crossovers. Sure, the pair's flat-four engines are different from what you'd find in a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, but you'd sure have a hard time explaining to an alien why they're different. Once, though, Subarus really were different.Bring a TrailerTake, for example, this 1983 Subaru GL wagon with the apparently rare Black Diamond Edition package, which has just turned up on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). With its funky shape, shifter-engaged four-wheel-drive, and wonky engine-compartment spare-tire placement, this is a gem from an era when Subarus were properly weird.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd useful. The Black Diamond Edition seems to be a mostly stickers-and-decals package made for Colorado Subaru dealerships, but the skiing analogy fits well. If you were an avid fan of hitting the slopes, a Subaru wagon of this era would have meant you'd never miss getting first tracks down the mountain, unfazed by any overnight snowfall.Bring a TrailerFar from being a low-mileage creampuff, this Subaru has gone the distance, with some 375,000 miles on the odometer. However, its owners have clearly cared for it, with regular maintenance including two engine overhauls. There's something admirable about putting in the considerable investment of an engine rebuild rather than just scrapping a car. This Subie is a survivor.The 1.8-liter flat-four makes 73 horsepower and 94 pound-feet of torque, delivered through a four-speed manual to either the front or all four wheels. Sure, it's not exactly a WRX, but it will get wherever it's pointed like a little Japanese mountain goat.Bring a TrailerThere's some rust noted on the body, though it looks like repairs have handled anything major, and rust-proofing has been done. It's said to have had a respray in 2009, along with reapplication of the graphics. It's not perfect, but it shows nicely and is ideal for someone who actually wants to drive it.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe interior, on the other hand, is practically a time capsule. There's some wear around the central controls for the power windows, but it's otherwise been carefully preserved, and is as much of a 1980s time machine as a DeLorean DMC-12.Bring a TrailerLet's face it: the Crosstrek is a practically packaged vehicle with broad appeal, which is why it's a best-seller, but it's probably never going to be a collector item. This Subaru GL, on the other hand, has enough charm to go the distance and keep coming back for more.The auction ends on June 23.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029