Deep Dive Travis Pastrana Gymkhana Car, Subaru Family Huckster

Posted on December 04, 2022
Modified
Deep Dive Travis Pastrana Gymkhana Car, Subaru Family Huckster

Travis Pastrana's "family huckster" packs the guts of a gymkhana car into the body of a 1983 Subaru GL wagon. Pastrana unveiled this unusual machine earlier this year, and the wagon will make its gymkhana video debut on December 6.

Inspired by the Subaru GL wagon used in a marketing tie-up with a U.S. ski team, the family huckster retains the normal boxy profile, but features a custom tube frame chassis, carbon fiber body panels and doors The wheelbase is nearly identical to the stock. The wheelbase is nearly identical to the normal, but the hucksters are about a foot wider.

This is both a return to Subaru's early days and a practical choice for videography, Pastrana explains in the video. The driver can easily see the corners of the car from the driver's seat, which is useful when driving near obstacles. Also, there is no need to worry about damaging the protruding rear wing, as with the Subaru WRX STI Air Slayer that Pastrana used to use in gymkhana.

Like the Air Slayer, the family huckster was built by Vermont Sports Car Company, which builds the WRX STI rally cars that Pastrana drives in the American Rally Association (ARA) championship. Underneath the boxy Subaru GL bodywork, there are quite a few similarities with these rally cars.

Power comes from the same 2.3-liter flat-4 turbo as the Air Slayer. This engine produces 862 hp, the same as the Air Slayer, and is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The top speed of the family huckster is higher than the Air Slayer, reaching 175 mph.

The Family Huckster also incorporates some of the active aerodynamic elements of the Air Slayer. The flaps pop up when additional downforce is needed and retract to reduce grip levels when the pastrana wants to go sideways. In place of the Air Slayer's large rear wing, the Family Huckster has a movable wing that rises from the roof.

In keeping with the family wagon theme, Vermont SportsCar added a roof rack that also serves an aerodynamic function. It helps direct air to the roof-mounted intake for the radiator at the rear of the vehicle.

For authenticity, the outside of the wagon is fitted with the original Subaru GL taillights and badges, and inside are several factory switches Vermont SportsCar also replicated the factory dashboard in carbon fiber with the original interior blue hue that references the original color. The digital meter cluster also features 1980s-style graphics. The pastorana activates the radio when pressed and the windshield wipers when pulled.

The family huckster will be featured in a new Gymkhana video that will premiere on December 6. Until then, watch the full video for an up-close look at this unique wagon.

You may also like

Alfa Romeo Milano's debut EV begins charging on April 10.
Alfa Romeo Milano's debut EV begins charging on April 10.

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the first photos of the new Milan, revealing that it will debut on April 10.The Milan is an electric subcompact crossover, whi...

Jan 26

2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata updated, base price $30,150
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata updated, base price $30,150

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is now available for the 2024 model year, with minor updates that add even more polish to an already accomplished sports car.But ...

Jan 26

U.S. Postal Service to Purchase Six Canoe Electric Delivery Vans
U.S. Postal Service to Purchase Six Canoe Electric Delivery Vans

Canoo announced Thursday that it will sell six electric delivery vans to the U.S. Postal Service.The vans, which will be delivered to the Postal Servi...

Jan 25

Trending

2024 Honda Prologue, $48,795, 296 mile range.
2024 Honda Prologue, $48,795, 296 mile range.

Honda has kept its promise to offer an electric midsize SUV for under $50,000, a promise it made when the 2024 Prologue debuted last fall.Honda announ...

Jan 26

2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata: today's automotive news
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata: today's automotive news

Porsche was spotted testing an updated Touring version of the 911 GT3. The refreshed trackster is expected to receive slight tweaks, one of which woul...

Jan 26

2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week
2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week

The Porsche Cayenne EV test mule, scheduled for launch in 2027, began cold weather testing on public roads. Although it looked like a spliced-together...

Jan 27