Oldest Subaru

[Dynamic Entry]

This thing is the oldest one I have ever seen for sure. So it prompts the question, what were the first models that Subaru released in the North American market?


Album Here

[kimokalihi]

The first vehicle built by the automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries was called the Subaru 1500, with the development code-name of P1. The prototype used a monocoque body structure, with an independent wishbone front suspension and a rear leaf spring suspension with three plates and a live rear axle.

The 1.5 liter four cylinder OHV engine, code named "FG4A" was sourced from Peugeot from the Peugeot 202, and built by Fuji Precision Technology, later known as the Prince Motor Company. The 1500 has a similar appearance to the Peugeot 404. Later a different engine was developed in-house by Fuji Heavy Industries, code named "L4-1" which was also a 1.5 liter OHV engine, that was 20 percent lighter than the previous engine used. The "P-1" was water cooled and used an in-line 4 cylinder engine.

Only 20 "P-1"'s were built, with 11 vehicles using the "FG4A" engine. Six units were provided to the Isesaki Ota Honjo taxi company for private testing, with successful results.






Also called - P-1
Production - 1954
Successor - Subaru 1000
Body style(s) - Sedan
Layout - FR layout
Engine(s) - 1.5L FG4A 48 PS (35.3 kW; 47.3 bhp)
1.5L L4-1 55 PS (40.5 kW; 54.2 bhp)
Length - 4,235 mm (166.7 in)
Width - 1,670 mm (65.7 in)
Height - 1,520 mm (59.8 in)
Curb weight - 1230 kg (2712 lb)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Subaru_1500.jpg



That 1.5l inline 4 cylinder has 8hp less than my 1.0l 3 cylinder.

[kimokalihi]

I like that car you posted though. It was be really cool to have one in good condition.

[AWD_addict]

The first Subaru in the US was the 360.

I saw that P-1 in person a couple years ago, that picture is from the mueseum at the Ota Subaru factory.

[Aerotech]

The 360 is in that picture, the little bubble car right behind the sedan. Basically a scaled-down VW beetle, 2 cyl aircooled, I think about 355cc. A guy I was stationed with in the Air Force had one as a toy. Tiny little thing... there's a small cult following in the US, you can usually find one on Ebay.
There's a van version, too.

[evolutionmovement]

There was some kid at Mass Art who had a 360.

[n2x4]

I almost bought a 360 van. I just didn't want to deal with the bodywork that was sure to follow.

I say you take that old suby and ship it back home for a swap project. I'm sure you'd get a good deal on it!

[Dynamic Entry]

uhhhh ya, at least it has lots of weight reduction work done before shipping..... maybe I will put it in the nose of a plane Goldfinger style

[Bdub]

That green wagon looks similar to the model that is in a junkyard in my town I was rooting through one day, although it is red.
I was like, whoa! Now that is an old Subie!
After further inspection, this was a 2wd model, and the engine was pulled, but the tranny was still in it.

Weird, looks like it has been there forever, and it is probably one of only about ten foreign cars in a sea of old trucks and domestics.