On October 10, 1958, the global automotive adventure of Subaru with the presentation, at the Tokyo Motor Show, of the kei car ‘360‘. A small car, utilitarian par excellence, which at the end of its list adventure – 13 years later – had approached the 400,000 units produced, some of which were also sold in the United States. Ove, however, was forced to obtain a special authorization to circulate, since in the crash tests it behaved extremely badly in the event of collisions with the big stars and stripes cars.
According to the historical chronology, the market launch of the Subaru 360 took place on March 3, also in 1958. But at the fifth show in the Japanese capital, the Subaru 360 was brought not only to attract (a lot) the attention of local visitors, but above all to show itself to the very first foreign guests of the event. Japan was trying to take advantage of the economic boom, and the government went to great lengths to persuade automakers to produce small, affordable models. With a weight of 400 kilos, the monocoque frame, the fiberglass roof panel and the doors with opening into the wind, the car was called ‘Ladybug’ due to its particular shape. It immediately became one of the most popular cars in Japan and was available in two-door, station wagon, “cabriolet” versions. The name derives from the displacement of the limited-tax engine: 356 cc.
Today the Subaru 360s produce ‘miracles’ in terms of pre-owned valuation. As reported last March by Repubblica, between 2020 and the beginning of 2021 the models of the Japanese minicar were positively revalued by 353.7%. The importer of this model in the United States had coined the slogan ‘Ugly but cheap’. Obviously in Italy it would never have been sold, because at the same period it would have had to face the Fiat 500. However, today those who own one in good condition can ask for something more than expected. Today a model in ‘like-new’ conditions can reach an evaluation of up to 50,000 euros.