Wednesday, July 29, 2009

SUBARU 360

SUBARU 360 YOUNG SS

The Subaru 360 was the first automobile mass produced by Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru division. Rather than a scaled-down conventional auto, it used a number of innovative features to produce a car to address government plans to produce a small "people's car" with an engine no larger than 360cc when most in Japan could not afford a car. The body size and the engine capacity were designed to match within Japan's kei car regulation. Nicknamed the "ladybug" in Japan, it was one of Japan's most popular cars, and among the smallest cars in the world to attract a significant following. It was a significant a step up from microcars such as the Isetta as the first kei car that had four wheels and room for 4 passengers. 392,000 units were produced in Japan from 1958 to 1971. Production ended for the 360 and was replaced by the Subaru R-2.
The car's name was derived from the size of the 356 cc engine.
SUBARU360 is so popular & being recognize by so many people. Even Play Station game Gran Turismo has it own class of Subaru 360 race.

This is my first Tomica Limited box set with Collector Book No.2. I wish the get the rest of the set too.



This other two TL No. 0041 Subaru 360 cars. Which was release back in 22 May 2004 at Japan.

This is the TL collector's book. It is printed in Japan and it is in Japanese. The following picture is taken from this book, most of it is in black & white.

The Subaru 360 car No. 9 & No. 12 in the leading group
Subaru 360 race in 400cc and below category

Again Subaru 360 car No. 9 & No. 12 has the fastest qualifying amongst it's class

Look at car no. 9 goes, smooth and steady. Sorry NO DRIFTING at that time.
Anti row bar was invented back then. Look at it's row & of course there is no low profile tires too
Subaru 360 has a unique way of open it's doors, even a Sumo wrestler can fit in this small car
SUBARU 360 YOUNG SS (newer look fro the 360)



Finally the Legendary SUBARU 360 Car No. 9 was well kept even it's original Race No.
Here is how it looks like from the inside of a Subaru 360. It's only have 4 gears, the stick next to the gear knob is the hand break, the back view mirror in on the dash board, side window can not be slide down and the dash broad is all metal, no air-con, just have to turn the front side window outward to scoop outside air in to car.

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