OMG!!! Now that is a unicorn. That is basically a copy of the Official Car of the US Ski Team. With the exception of the “Skiers Special” shield logo. You never stop amazing me Danno! Thank you!!
A friend of mine had one I drove quite a bit, (especially when she'd injured her clutch foot. Pretty slow, but a real trooper, like they all were. ) Most of em really went till the rust finally claimed em. :)
@@OllamhDrab I've driven a lot of cars in my life, but if I put the point on what makes a good car, it's how connected I feel to it. A vehicle that gives you the feeling that you can get into it and cross the continent without any mental preparations. It doesn't have to be the most powerful vehicle or the highest level of finish and not even the most comfortable. If the car talks to you, that's it.
What a find!! Those meaty tires, the winch up front with mini-bull bar, the circle headlights, just WOW. I have had a few of these and I'll never get tired of their quirks.
I am very much an all Australian Subaru tragic, and despite it being a skiers special, it would be excellent for here in the NT and exploring the outback. Thanks for sharing Dan this definitely is special and deserves a resto.
Brings back memories of when I was a kid.... Every one had one to tow there jetboat with out here in New Zealand.. Often seen them at the river... Most were station wagons.... In fact I have a ea81 motor frome one in my small jetboat... Because motor is all alloy and light and compact..
@@wasabicars I just checked and the first post I saw was back in late November. It is a really cool car. Thank you for putting this in a video! It was really cool to see a close walk around.
Hey, man. You were the first to mention that name, but I'm afraid I don't know them and am not aware of the connection. ... Just had a quick google. I did see a tidy Brat
Lol. Yes. But, at the time, as I've probably never even touched a snow ski in my life, just couldn't figure it out. Coincidentally, it was just yesterday I was looking at a co-worker's car, a modern "Mini", that had a similar thing on its roof for a snow board
The styling of those two-doors is no unique. Btw, did you see the 2 door (but it was a hatchback) @1:50 or so? Funky. Cannot wait to bump into one of those.
I believe it was released just before "Touring Wagon" was introduced into market, which means it's a van and is very rare for a commercial purpose van to have such a gorgeous trim on the rear seat!
My wife and I are watching a TV show called 'The Tourist' It's set in Australia and one of the main characters drives an 80's Subaru touring wagon 1800 AWD.
Hey Daniel, hope you're good buddy. Wow man! What a rare find, and a Wagon! 😍 Made me think of the later Impreza special edition called the Gravel express. Take it easy buddy and thanks 🤘
This Leone is awesome and the seat trim is like a Scottish Kilt what's great. Ah before I forget, the skies do fit in, because you have in front and back the ribber seal on the cover and bottom part so that the skies are hanging out in front and back. The middle section is where also the middle skies go in with the attached locking mechanism for the skie boot's. Well, I used probably too much of the word skie and it's been years when I stand on them. But back to reality, I do keep an aye open for a Leone because you just never know.
@@wasabicars I wouldn't know also but I seen an old commercial (not Subaru) where it was similar. By the way this video is great, this Subaru version is rare and the Kilt interior us exactly what I like. Do you maybe know what is the reserve price, just as curiosity?
I hear ya, but lemme tell you of some recent strangeness. I saw on some very famous RUclipsr's Instagram page, several commenters *demanding* eulogies for Ken Block. That struck me as very peculiar. Whether rational or (clearly) not, there are expectations on content creators, and I gotta be careful how I word things. There are definitely some who'll interpret me being too busy to watch Hoonigan to mean I have some issue with them. #crazyinthecoconuts
As a kid in 1980's Melbourne, I remember these 4WD Leone wagons & the later Touring Wagons being popular with the Ski Bunnies & to a lesser extent the bushwalking crowd. The Touring Wagons from the mid 80's were high-tech futuristic cars compared to the local Fords & Holdens of the time, especially with the digital dash & reliable Japanese electronics....
When was the last time I seen one over here dan It has been years I’m going to have to start taking pictures if I see one here And blue was not an Australian colour at all Drivers doors is locked all other doors unlocked 😂😂
@@wasabicars I'm based in the UK, so your definitely reaching out to a world wide audience. And impacting people in a positive way. So keep up the good work..
Love this gen of Leone, I daily drive a 1981 wagon that I restored myself ;-) And where can I get some of those floor mats?? Never seen them before they look fantastic.
Nice! Yeah, those floor mats were outstanding. They'd have been a rare option to start with, and the chances of them surviving in numbers would be very, very slim.
Gosh subaru was so awesome back in the 80s. It's ironic that I've never liked the popular years. But these are cool as heck. I swear I've seen one here in peru with that livery. No rack though 😢
Ahh Dan! Always the man to bring the gems. Love those rubber floor mats! I need some for mine. My 1984 Touring Wagon with the factory sunroof is a unicorn, but this is THE UNICORN! So maybe I got Charlie the unicorn and you found Lady Almathea?? 😂
Oh, for sure. And, given the scarcity in Japan of Subarus from this era, even a plain one would have been a miracle find. On line I've since seen some quad square headlight Skier Specials, but none of this earlier type.
Great discovery Daniel! It's been a long time since I've seen the GL Wagon as this was called in the U.S. Believe this had an optional (?) "cyclops" headlight hidden behind the front grill? Thank you for sharing.
Hey, man. These bloody Cyclops headlights you mention. Commenters have have told me about these before but I'm yet to see any revealed. What is the deal? Okay, I've just had a google. Defo never seen. All the Cyclops grilles had the update (rounded rectangular) headlights. None shown with the round headlights like on this Leone.
@@wasabicars Hi Daniel, comment below from webmonkees confirms. I believe there's a review of a Leone/GL on "Motor Week" show showing it in action. Happy New Year too!
Wow, I remember seeing the promo pic you should in the video from magazine ads and dealer promo material in Aus back then, there were rumours that a single example was imported and was intended to be shown on the International Motor show circuit (Sydney/ Melbourne motor show) but never was. I'm pretty sure there was a much later Kosciuszko edition (Gen 3 I think, or possibly early Liberty?) that was very toned down from this, much more subtle decals with a pretty heavily revised roofbox. Low volume once again and kinda flew under the radar cause it was kind of an expensive niche special edition.
cool :). some of the aftermarket audio installs in old japanese cars can get pretty wild like in this case. the rear speaker placement is rather curious too, and im pretty sure that bracketery in the glovebox also had some audio equipment in it at some point, haha
Yeah, and so cool that it's so well optioned. I hope it finds the right owner, and that it gets back to the road, because it's gonna bring a lot of smiles to people.
That would be a mistake, Leones were as gutless as a Victor lawnmower and front wheel drive until you pulled the 4wd lever that activated the rear and stole all the remaining power. So surprising not to see it as a rusty mess though. That must have lead a sheltered life to be so good 43 years later.
Definitely no-one on your block would have the same car if you drove this one. Just 350 early (of the single round headlight) versions were built apparently. Though, I will say you may miss the AE86's performance at times. Lol
Yeah it would certainly not be a car that would be outstanding in performance, but I live the way it looks. I love my ae86 but I haven't driven it for three years now and I know how it feels to miss it. Buy still, the looks of that Leone... 😘
It's a dealer-only auction yard in Japan. They open the gates one day a week for the public to look at the cars, but as said, only dealers can bid. You got to go through an importer/dealer
I don't. I can say that bidding hasn't gone beyond the reserve to my knowledge. Highest bid I know of is 500,000 yen. I'll leave you to convert to your local currency
always fascinated by your uploads Dan coincidently tubing late one night this guy popped up cant understand what the gentleman is saying the car the same or is it? the roof line interior trim absent bull bar could it be a fake? dropped a link here hope is okay ruclips.net/video/UKhw8yaPknA/видео.html
Thanks you, sir. Coincidentally, I follow Swinging Motors on insta, and after seeing that Subaru from the video you posted, I decided to edit up the footage I had of an earlier one. Yes, certainly the same special edition, but from different years. 1980 v's 1983. Side note: I can't hardly understand the guy's Japanese either.
The roof rack obviously is for skis: they come out through the front and back and the bindings are covered with the box lid
Well, they're obviously for that to people who know snow
Sorry dude, I’ve never skied and it was the first thing I noticed! 😅 Awesome find. How much did it go for?
OMG!!! Now that is a unicorn. That is basically a copy of the Official Car of the US Ski Team. With the exception of the “Skiers Special” shield logo. You never stop amazing me Danno! Thank you!!
Too easy, Adrian. Actually, it's nigh impossible. Hahahahaha ;-)
Oh my god, that seat trim is special!
The plaider the better ;-)
Kiwis freaking love Subaru’s…super popular during the eighties with the ski crowd.the right type of car for New Zealand driving conditions 👌🏻
I had a Subaru like this, an '83 FWD model. The best car I've ever had
Noice. Colour? And, it was the wagon?
@@wasabicars Indeed it was a wagon, faded white. A lot of rust but got everywhere easily even when driving off road. Today I drive a 2003 Impreza GX.
A friend of mine had one I drove quite a bit, (especially when she'd injured her clutch foot. Pretty slow, but a real trooper, like they all were. ) Most of em really went till the rust finally claimed em. :)
@@OllamhDrab I've driven a lot of cars in my life, but if I put the point on what makes a good car, it's how connected I feel to it. A vehicle that gives you the feeling that you can get into it and cross the continent without any mental preparations. It doesn't have to be the most powerful vehicle or the highest level of finish and not even the most comfortable. If the car talks to you, that's it.
Dude! What a find. Thank you for risking the filming to show us all an amazing unicorn.
Hey, thank you, DJ. Hope all's well
What a find!! Those meaty tires, the winch up front with mini-bull bar, the circle headlights, just WOW. I have had a few of these and I'll never get tired of their quirks.
So good, hey! This one reeeally got me excited. Thx for watching, man
I am very much an all Australian Subaru tragic, and despite it being a skiers special, it would be excellent for here in the NT and exploring the outback. Thanks for sharing Dan this definitely is special and deserves a resto.
Hey, my pleasure, Michael. Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed :)
Brings back memories of when I was a kid.... Every one had one to tow there jetboat with out here in New Zealand.. Often seen them at the river... Most were station wagons.... In fact I have a ea81 motor frome one in my small jetboat... Because motor is all alloy and light and compact..
I'm from U.S. I saw many times Subaru Leone when I lived Hokkaido. Pretty nice car.I never see in the L.A.
I absolutely LOVE this thing! I remember seeing posts on FB/IG when it was coming across the auction block a few weeks ago.
And, was still there today. Seems the seller 'knows what he has'
@@wasabicars I just checked and the first post I saw was back in late November. It is a really cool car. Thank you for putting this in a video! It was really cool to see a close walk around.
Los de la Tierra en que vivimos ( Chile ) están en mucho más inmejorable estado
What a find,Dan! Paging Bucky Lasek! lol
Hey, man. You were the first to mention that name, but I'm afraid I don't know them and am not aware of the connection. ... Just had a quick google. I did see a tidy Brat
Nice find! Maybe the skis supposed to poke out the small rectangular slots on the front of the roof box?
Lol. Yes. But, at the time, as I've probably never even touched a snow ski in my life, just couldn't figure it out. Coincidentally, it was just yesterday I was looking at a co-worker's car, a modern "Mini", that had a similar thing on its roof for a snow board
Don't recall ever seeing a Leone wagon in the flesh actually, super cool
Seriously? Wow. I was born in 1973 so I guess I was at the right age to notice heaps of these in my high school years
@@wasabicars Maybe just lived in the wrong part of NZ for it.. I'm 86 so they were probably around
What a beast I had a first gen two door Leone it was awesome
The styling of those two-doors is no unique. Btw, did you see the 2 door (but it was a hatchback) @1:50 or so? Funky. Cannot wait to bump into one of those.
Yeah that looks weird as
I believe it was released just before "Touring Wagon" was introduced into market, which means it's a van and is very rare for a commercial purpose van to have such a gorgeous trim on the rear seat!
Yeah? Cool. Thanks for the info
Rare as heck, great find Dan. Subaru make some quirky cars and editions, this being one of them...
Wow,I love these special editions/rare versions of common (for Japan) Japanese cars.Definitely a nice Subaru
My wife and I are watching a TV show called 'The Tourist' It's set in Australia and one of the main characters drives an 80's Subaru touring wagon 1800 AWD.
I'm gonna have to check that out. Cheers
Hey Daniel, hope you're good buddy. Wow man! What a rare find, and a Wagon! 😍 Made me think of the later Impreza special edition called the Gravel express. Take it easy buddy and thanks 🤘
This Leone is awesome and the seat trim is like a Scottish Kilt what's great. Ah before I forget, the skies do fit in, because you have in front and back the ribber seal on the cover and bottom part so that the skies are hanging out in front and back. The middle section is where also the middle skies go in with the attached locking mechanism for the skie boot's. Well, I used probably too much of the word skie and it's been years when I stand on them. But back to reality, I do keep an aye open for a Leone because you just never know.
Yeah, I didn't realize how the ski pod worked at the time, but do now of course. :)
@@wasabicars I wouldn't know also but I seen an old commercial (not Subaru) where it was similar. By the way this video is great, this Subaru version is rare and the Kilt interior us exactly what I like. Do you maybe know what is the reserve price, just as curiosity?
3:28 the home stereo speaker is awesome haha 👌
What a cool car !
I don't know how, but I know I'd bump my head on those ;-)
I couldn't be bothered with hoonigan, so can't blame you, too many other local youtubers to watch.
I hear ya, but lemme tell you of some recent strangeness. I saw on some very famous RUclipsr's Instagram page, several commenters *demanding* eulogies for Ken Block. That struck me as very peculiar. Whether rational or (clearly) not, there are expectations on content creators, and I gotta be careful how I word things. There are definitely some who'll interpret me being too busy to watch Hoonigan to mean I have some issue with them. #crazyinthecoconuts
@@wasabicars that makes sense, it's sad he's gone, but it's like Peter Brock dying, very sad. Except no social media back then really.
As a kid in 1980's Melbourne, I remember these 4WD Leone wagons & the later Touring Wagons being popular with the Ski Bunnies & to a lesser extent the bushwalking crowd. The Touring Wagons from the mid 80's were high-tech futuristic cars compared to the local Fords & Holdens of the time, especially with the digital dash & reliable Japanese electronics....
Is that a type of salvage yard or storage yard?
I remember the ads for this special edition car, in USA car magazines.
It's a large auction yard in fact. USS, they've got locations throughout Japan
My brother used to have a immaculate one for his second car, in Australia wasn't this decked out though. Wish he kept it.
Oh, nice though. Thanks for letting me know. Always interesting to hear other people's stories
The non-adjustable vent in the middle of the passenger side has the factory radio speaker behind it
That's so cool for us Subaru owners
When was the last time I seen one over here dan
It has been years
I’m going to have to start taking pictures if I see one here
And blue was not an Australian colour at all
Drivers doors is locked all other doors unlocked 😂😂
Thanks, David. Lol! Probably not a car many would bother to steal even if it were easy ;-)
That car is awesome!
It really is :)
Hi I really like your videos and content.
Always interesting cars, places and people shown in your videos.
Thank you so much, Akiel :)
@@wasabicars
I'm based in the UK, so your definitely reaching out to a world wide audience.
And impacting people in a positive way.
So keep up the good work..
Love this gen of Leone, I daily drive a 1981 wagon that I restored myself ;-)
And where can I get some of those floor mats?? Never seen them before they look fantastic.
Nice! Yeah, those floor mats were outstanding. They'd have been a rare option to start with, and the chances of them surviving in numbers would be very, very slim.
What an unbelievable unicorn this is!
Certainly is :)
Gosh subaru was so awesome back in the 80s. It's ironic that I've never liked the popular years. But these are cool as heck. I swear I've seen one here in peru with that livery. No rack though 😢
Ahh Dan! Always the man to bring the gems. Love those rubber floor mats! I need some for mine. My 1984 Touring Wagon with the factory sunroof is a unicorn, but this is THE UNICORN! So maybe I got Charlie the unicorn and you found Lady Almathea?? 😂
Cheers, man. Oh, that's Last Unicorn reference is a deep cut. Lol. Not that I knew at first. Just went down the rabbit hole (just a little)
@@wasabicars a deep cut? Didn't intend it mate. Just googled unicorn characters.
That's a cool one i have 2 rare models with power everything one has the cool digital dash.
What an obscure gem !
Oh, for sure. And, given the scarcity in Japan of Subarus from this era, even a plain one would have been a miracle find. On line I've since seen some quad square headlight Skier Specials, but none of this earlier type.
Great discovery Daniel! It's been a long time since I've seen the GL Wagon as this was called in the U.S. Believe this had an optional (?) "cyclops" headlight hidden behind the front grill? Thank you for sharing.
Hey, man. These bloody Cyclops headlights you mention. Commenters have have told me about these before but I'm yet to see any revealed. What is the deal? Okay, I've just had a google. Defo never seen. All the Cyclops grilles had the update (rounded rectangular) headlights. None shown with the round headlights like on this Leone.
the Cyclops: US GL 81-84 got one from a salvage yard. cut up the 85 grille but bolts in. worth it.
@@wasabicars Hi Daniel, comment below from webmonkees confirms. I believe there's a review of a Leone/GL on "Motor Week" show showing it in action. Happy New Year too!
Wow, I remember seeing the promo pic you should in the video from magazine ads and dealer promo material in Aus back then, there were rumours that a single example was imported and was intended to be shown on the International Motor show circuit (Sydney/ Melbourne motor show) but never was. I'm pretty sure there was a much later Kosciuszko edition (Gen 3 I think, or possibly early Liberty?) that was very toned down from this, much more subtle decals with a pretty heavily revised roofbox. Low volume once again and kinda flew under the radar cause it was kind of an expensive niche special edition.
Holy Dooley. Thanks for all that info/insight. Appreciated, Robert
that scubby fixed would be fun on off-road trails
The world of off-road is beyond me, but I think it'd be as much fun on off-roads as it wold be at car shows. In Japan, it's a truly rare car
cool :). some of the aftermarket audio installs in old japanese cars can get pretty wild like in this case. the rear speaker placement is rather curious too, and im pretty sure that bracketery in the glovebox also had some audio equipment in it at some point, haha
Oh, I really wasn't sure what the story was with that dash. Certainly the previous owner liked to tweak
Car stil looks very original!
Yeah, and so cool that it's so well optioned. I hope it finds the right owner, and that it gets back to the road, because it's gonna bring a lot of smiles to people.
Love the seats , Nice flannel by the way 💪
Such a bold choice. Always a welcome sight though ;-)
What a great Unicorn 👍
Did Subaru steal the whole front grill & rear lights off a Mazda 323 ??
The Skis fit thru the black slots !
Yeah, I understood about the ski carrying thing prior to uploading, just not at the time. :)
I would trade in my AE86 any day for a unicorn like this! 😲
That would be a mistake, Leones were as gutless as a Victor lawnmower and front wheel drive until you pulled the 4wd lever that activated the rear and stole all the remaining power. So surprising not to see it as a rusty mess though. That must have lead a sheltered life to be so good 43 years later.
Definitely no-one on your block would have the same car if you drove this one. Just 350 early (of the single round headlight) versions were built apparently. Though, I will say you may miss the AE86's performance at times. Lol
Yeah it would certainly not be a car that would be outstanding in performance, but I live the way it looks. I love my ae86 but I haven't driven it for three years now and I know how it feels to miss it. Buy still, the looks of that Leone... 😘
Dude, you're CRAZY !!
Your AE86 is worth more than $25k !
I wanted this LS Diff for my Datsun but gave up finding one. Too rare!
We had a SR5 Tercel growing up. Sort of the same thing.
look on the GL10 or any turbo model.
Oh. Oh! And, Tercels are even more mega rarer than the Leone in Japan!
懐かしいです ちなみに俺は 🇺🇸US限定？のSUBARU BRATが大好きで過去に探してました！、球数が少なくて😭 福岡朝倉市のHighwayの甘木interchangeをおりて数百メートル直進して左側にSUBARUのディーラー横にBRATがありましたが最近見ません 早く買えばよかったと後悔してます
1:06位から写ってるアドミラルブルーのAM5は私のです(^0^)
Nice AM5,it looks cool 👍
ありがとうございます。
I can see the smell through the screen
Hahahaha!
Nice one mate 👍
Thanks, Matt
My mechanic has a 84 wagon in the lot but best not ask in case it is affordable.
Hahahaha! Usually when the price board says 'Ask' it means don't ask. Yours is the opposite. Hahahahaha
Flanno seats … amazing
Lol! Not such a popular option, eh. I've seen a couple Holden/Isuzu Geminis with it, though probably a cooler palette.
You can melt some snow in those floor mats... they look like oil drip trays... 😅
They were over-engineered and incredible. Could definitely hold a couple of litres ;-)
For some reason, plaid fabric seats were equipped in just about every American car in the ‘70s 😅. Can’t help but wonder how the JDM customers reacted…
Saw snow for the 1st time last year. I'm 46.
Ha! That is funny. I was well-and-truly an adult before I first saw snow ;-)
I know that smell of those cars
Haha :)
I wonder if that old girl has manual or electric/hydraulic adjustable suspension
Sorry, James. I just like "cars". Super weak on all the book-read stuff.
@@wasabicars all good dude.myself & my brother have owned a few.& was just curious
Hi, what is this place? Are these cars for sale?
It's a dealer-only auction yard in Japan. They open the gates one day a week for the public to look at the cars, but as said, only dealers can bid. You got to go through an importer/dealer
@@wasabicars thanks for your reply! :)
Cool!
Cheers, Ivan :)
I guess dan bezos is to busy to watch RUclips😂😂😂
Any idea of how much this has been asking $$$?
I don't. I can say that bidding hasn't gone beyond the reserve to my knowledge. Highest bid I know of is 500,000 yen. I'll leave you to convert to your local currency
🥝✅🎿 ⛷️🏂🚠🥽
I feel like I'm suddenly fluent in sign language :)
always fascinated by your uploads Dan coincidently tubing late one night this guy popped up cant understand what the gentleman is saying the car the same or is it? the roof line interior trim absent bull bar could it be a fake? dropped a link here hope is okay ruclips.net/video/UKhw8yaPknA/видео.html
Thanks you, sir. Coincidentally, I follow Swinging Motors on insta, and after seeing that Subaru from the video you posted, I decided to edit up the footage I had of an earlier one. Yes, certainly the same special edition, but from different years. 1980 v's 1983. Side note: I can't hardly understand the guy's Japanese either.
Dual range 4WD. Can drive in normal FWD or 4WD Hi range or 4WD Lo range.
Cheers for the info