Hasegawa 1/24 Subaru 360 1963 1st Japan GP C-I Class # 20465

Hasegawa 1/24 Subaru 360 1963 1st Japan GP C-I Class # 20465

 

Markings
1) Japan GP C-1 Class 3rd place Car No.5 May 3, 1963
2) Japan GP C-1 Class 5th place Car No.7 May 3, 1963
3) Japan GP C-1 Class 6th place Car No.6 May 3, 1963

In 1958, the Subaru 360 was introduced to the public as a Japanese kei-car passenger automobile.

Its series production began the same year and lasted until 1971, with around 390,000 cars built during that time.

The city of Ota in Japan was the epicentre of production.

The Subaru 360 was designed and manufactured to help Fuji Heavy Industries (the company that owns the Subaru brand and is primarily known in Europe under this name) break into the automotive market.

Subaru’s Model 360 was the company’s very first vehicle!

The project was overseen by Shinroku Momose. It was built from the start with the domestic market in mind, with a strong emphasis on keeping the engine size and capacity adequate for classification as a kei-car.

The Subaru 360 was also the first car in its class to be capable of transporting four people.

It was also noted for having a dependable low-fuel-consumption engine and low total operating costs.

The R-2 model took the place of the 360 in Subaru’s lineup.