View source for Subaru 360

{{Infobox automobile
| name = Subaru 360
| image = 1958 Subaru 360 01.jpg
| aka = Subaru 450<ref name=Autocar>"New Subaru", ''The Autocar'', 4 November 1960, page 821</ref><br>K-10 (prototype)<ref name="subaru-global.com">{{cite web|title=Subaru History|url=http://www.subaru-global.com/ourstory/heritage.html|website=Subaru Global|publisher=Subaru Corporation|access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref>
| manufacturer = [[Subaru]]
| production = 1958&ndash;1971
| assembly = Japan: [[Subaru#Manufacturing facilities|Otakita Plant]], [[Ōta, Gunma]]
| class = [[Microcar]]
| body_style = {{ubl|2-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]]|2-door [[cabrio coach]]|3-door [[station wagon]]}}
| engine = {{unbulleted list |356&nbsp;cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#Two Cylinder|EK31]]'' [[Straight-twin engine|I2]]|356&nbsp;cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#Two Cylinder|EK32]]'' I2| 423&nbsp;cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#Two Cylinder|EK51]]'' I2}}
| length = {{convert|117.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| width = {{convert|51.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|70.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| height = {{convert|54.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| weight = {{convert|900|lb|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| predecessor = 
| successor = [[Subaru R-2]]
| doors = [[Suicide doors]]
| layout = [[RR layout]]
| related = [[Subaru Sambar]]
| designer = [[Shinroku Momose]]
}}

The '''Subaru 360''' is a rear-engined, two-door [[city car]] manufactured and marketed by [[Subaru]] from 1958 to 1971.  As the company's first mass-produced automobile, production reached 392,000 over its 12-year model run.

Noted for its small overall size, {{cvt|1000|lb|disp=flip}} curb weight, [[monocoque]] construction, [[swing axle]] rear suspension, fiberglass roof panel, and rear-hinged doors, the inexpensive car was designed in response to the Japanese government's [[Kei car|light car or Kei car]] regulations and its proposal for a larger "national car," both intended to help motorize the post WWII Japanese population. The 360's overall size and engine capacity complied with Japan's [[Kei car]] regulations.

Nicknamed the "ladybug" in Japan, and ultimately superseded by [[Subaru R-2|R-2]], the 360 was one of Japan's most popular cars and was available in a single generation in two-door, station wagon ("Custom"), "convertible" ([[Cabrio coach|a sedan with a roll-back fabric roof]]) and sporting variants. The two-door sedans' model code is '''K111''', while the wagon is known as '''K142'''. Ten thousand were sold in the United States, imported by [[Malcolm Bricklin]] and advertised as "Cheap and Ugly."<ref name="nyt1">{{cite journal
  | title = What Would You Do with Eight Tiny Subarus?
  | journal = The New York Times | first = Benjamin | last = Preston | date = January 30, 2014
  | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/automobiles/collectibles/what-would-you-do-with-eight-tiny-subarus.html}}</ref>

The nameplate ''360'' derived from its tax-limited engine displacement: 356&nbsp;cc.

== Design ==
[[Image:Gasoline Engine Type EK31 2C Subaru.jpg|180px|left|thumb|[[List of Subaru engines#Two-strokes|EK31 engine]] of Subaru 360]]The 360 featured an air-cooled, [[Two-stroke cycle|two-stroke]] [[Straight-twin engine|inline 2-cylinder]] 356&nbsp;cc engine mounted transversely at the rear, and was introduced March 3, 1958.<ref name="subaru-global.com"/>

As with many other small two-stroke gas-engined cars, oil needed to be premixed with the petrol (gasoline), with the fuel tank lid serving as a measuring cup. In 1964, the "Subarumatic" lubrication system provided automatic mixing via a reservoir in the engine compartment.<ref name="Hemmings1">{{cite news
  | title = The tale of how Subaru came to America with the 360, and how it all nearly ended | last = McCourt | first = Mark
  | publisher = American City Business Journals | journal = Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car| issue = February 2006
  | url = http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2006/02/01/hmn_feature17.html}}</ref>

Floor-mounted controls located between the driver and passenger seat included choke, heater and fuel cut-off—the latter to accommodate gravity fed fuel which obviated the need for a fuel pump.<ref name="truth">{{cite news
  | title = Review: 1968 Subaru 360, Owned By Lexus LFA Engineer
  | publisher = The Truth About Cars | first = Bertel | last = Schmitt | date = June 7, 2012
  | url = http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/06/review-1968-subaru-360-owned-by-lexus-lfa-engineer/}}</ref> The initial production featured a full metal dash board and three-speed manual gearbox, while subsequent models featured a partially padded dash with an open glove compartment, pop-out rear quarter windows, split front bench seat, map pockets, a four-speed manual and optional three-speed-based 'Autoclutch' transmission<ref name="Hemmings1"/>—the latter which eliminated the clutch pedal and operated the clutch via an electromagnet.<ref name="Hemmings1"/>

Final assembly included wheel alignment, brake testing, chassis dynometer, headlight testing, and high-pressure water spray testing.<ref name="Subaru1">{{cite news
  | title = How the Subaru 360 Was Manufactured
  | publisher = Subaru Philosophy
  | url = http://subaru-philosophy.com/post/45742624603/how-the-subaru-360-was-being-manufactured}}</ref>

In contrast to the [[Volkswagen Beetle]], the 360 is much smaller, less powerful, and was not nearly as well accepted in the global marketplace. The body was of [[monocoque]] construction and used a lightweight [[fiberglass]] roof panel. In the post war period, more automobiles would switch to unibody construction, which is now the norm for passenger cars and even many light trucks. Many of the ideas came from engineers from the former [[Nakajima Aircraft Company]], which became [[Fuji Heavy Industries]]. The "[[suicide door]]s" are hinged at the rear, which Consumer Reports noted resulted in a partially locked door pulling open in the wind during testing.

== Performance ==
Equipped with a three-speed manual transmission, the 360 had a top speed of {{cvt|60|mi/h|km/h|-1|disp=flip}},<ref name="lane_museum">{{cite web |title=Subaru 360 Sedan (red)-1970 |url=https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/subaru-360-sedan-red-1970 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322064354/https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/subaru-360-sedan-red-1970 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |access-date=8 July 2018 |website=Lane Motor Museum}}</ref> and with a curb weight under {{cvt|1000|lb|disp=flip}}, the 360 was exempt from compliance with US safety regulations. [[Consumer Reports]] recorded a {{cvt|0|-|50|mph|-1|disp=flip}} time of about 37 seconds and reported {{cvt|25|-|35|mpgus|disp=flip}},<ref>{{cite web|author=Joe |url=http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_history.html |title=Subaru History |publisher=Cars101.com |access-date=2012-05-24}}</ref> despite Subaru's claimed {{cvt|66|mpgus|disp=flip}}. When introduced in 1958, the 360's engine produced {{cvt|16|PS|kW|0}}.<ref name=MM19>{{Cite web |url=https://web.motormagazine.co.jp/_ct/17284581 |title=【昭和の名車 21】スバル 360 ヤングSS | trans-title = (Famous Cars of the Showa Era 21) Subaru 360 Young SS | publisher=Web Motor Magazine |date=2019-07-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210626162825/https://web.motormagazine.co.jp/_ct/17284581 | archive-date = 2021-06-26 }}</ref> This later increased to {{cvt|18|PS|kW|0}} and then {{cvt|20|PS|kW|0}}. In August 1968, responding to a new crop of more powerful kei cars, power was increased to {{cvt|25|PS|kW|0}}. An optional {{cvt|36|PS|kW|0}} twin-[[carbureted]] engine also became available for the 360 Young SS in November 1968, achieving 100&nbsp;PS per liter.<ref name=MM19/> The performance and size limitations were largely the result of its having been engineered and designed for Japanese driving conditions. The [[speed limits in Japan]] are realistically set at {{cvt|40|km/h|mi/h}} in urban areas, with average driving distances at {{cvt|5|-|8|mi|0|disp=flip}} per day.

== Variants ==
Several variants were produced, including a station wagon (called the '''Custom'''), a [[convertible (car)|convertible]], and two sport models known as 1) the Subaru '''Young S''', which had a slightly upgraded (EK32 "F") engine and transmission (4 gears instead of 3), bucket seats and a tachometer along with a black, white striped roof with a dent along the middle to put one's surfboard, and 2) the Subaru '''Young SS''', which had all the Young S enhancements, but also the EK32 "S" engine with chromed cylinders and dual BS32 [[Mikuni (company)|Mikuni]] [[Solex Carburetor|Solex]] carburetors, producing {{convert|36|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} - and 100 brake horsepower per litre. From 1961 onwards, a flat-nosed truck and van called the [[Subaru Sambar|Sambar]] were also produced using the 360's engine, with arrangements similar to the [[Volkswagen Transporter]] in a smaller size. Many small businesses became very successful thanks to the pickup's small size for tight streets, quickness, ease to drive and great fuel economy. Available in Japan between November 1960 and 1966, an export version, known as the Subaru 450, increased the engine's displacement to 423&nbsp;cc using the Subaru EK51 series engine. This model was also given the name Subaru '''Maia'''. The Maia variant was the sole sedan model imported into Australia (approximately 35 examples) in 1961 - along with approximately 38 Sambar vans and trucks.<ref name="Newman1">Personal interview with Frank O'Brien (Ian Newman), Ballarat Australia, 1980</ref>

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
Image:Subaru-360Custom.jpg|Subaru 360 Custom
Image:Subaru 360 004.JPG|Subaru 360 Convertible
Image:360-youngSS.jpg|Subaru Young SS
</gallery>

== Export ==
[[File:1970 Subaru 360.jpg|thumb|1970 Subaru 360 on display at the [[California Automobile Museum]]]]

A used car dealer in Ballarat, Victoria (Frank O'Brien) brought approximately 73 Subaru 360 vehicles into Australia in 1961. This was a mix of Maia sedans and Sambar vans and trucks. Unfortunately they suffered from overheating problems and although a solution was eventually found, it came too late, as the associated losses were too great for the dealership to cope with and further importations ceased.<ref name="Newman1"/><ref>{{citation | title = Subaru: The Innovator Down Under | last = Davis | first = Pedr | publisher = Marque | date = 1991 | isbn = 9780947079277 }}</ref>

[[File:1970 Subaru 360 Deluxe.jpg|thumb|1970 Subaru 360 Deluxe in the United States]]
From 1968, approximately 10,000 were exported to the US, with an original price of $1,297 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1297|1968}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). The 360 was imported to the United States by [[Malcolm Bricklin]] before he later manufactured [[Bricklin SV-1|his own cars]]. The Subaru 360 received notoriety in 1969, when ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' magazine branded the automobile "Not Acceptable" because of safety concerns and lack of power. Because the car weighed under 1000 pounds, it was exempt from normal safety standards, but it was reported that it fared badly in a test crash against a large American car with the bumper ending up in the passenger compartment of the Subaru.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.mysubaru360.com/manuals_and_documents/Subaru_360_Consumer_Reports_April_69.pdf |title= The Subaru 360 (Not Acceptable) | journal = Consumer Reports | date = April 1969 | pages = 220–222 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190617104247/http://www.mysubaru360.com/manuals_and_documents/Subaru_360_Consumer_Reports_April_69.pdf |archive-date= 2019-06-17 }}</ref>

Sales soon collapsed, and there were various rumors of Subaru 360s being tossed overboard or being shredded to pieces. It was also reported that many 360s sat on dealers' lots for two or three years without ever being purchased.

The Subaru 360 was replaced by the less popular but more advanced [[Subaru R-2|R-2]] which was quickly superseded by the long-lived [[Subaru Rex]] model.

== See also ==
* {{Portal inline|1950s}}
* {{Portal inline|1960s}}

== References ==
<references/>
*[http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/subaruk.html History of Subaru Kei Jidosha]

== External links ==
{{Commons category multi|Subaru 360|The monument of the birthplace of SUBARU 360}}
* [http://www.subaru360club.org/ Subaru 360 Driver's Club]
* [http://www.mysubaru360.com/manuals_and_documents/ Subaru 360 manuals page]

{{Subaru (early)}}

[[Category:Subaru vehicles|360]]
[[Category:1960s cars]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1971]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1958]]
[[Category:Cars powered by 2-cylinder engines]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Kei cars]]
[[Category:Rear-engined vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]