Canfield, OH | USA
Description
Hello i have a 1970 360 for sale. I've had it up for sale before but i took it down becuase the starter stopped working when I posted it up and couldnt get it to turn on to show people. Finaly fixed the starter and just took a video of it running today 2-19-25. The fuel tank valve started leaking so I'm by passing the gas tank just to turn it on. I've had it for about 4 years now, every time I let it sit for a while the next time I try to turn it on something goes wrong and I have to fix it. It...
Our Take:
- Historical Significance: The 1970 Subaru 360 is quite a gem in the world of classic microcars. Known affectionately as the "ladybug," it marks Subaru's foray into the American market—believe it or not, this was Subaru’s first car sold in the U.S. Despite its bug-sized proportions, the 360 was big news back then, even making the dubious honor list of being called "one of the 50 worst cars of all time" by Time magazine. But hey, that just adds to its quirky charm, right?
- Technical Curiosities: With its two-stroke, two-cylinder engine, the 360 is more akin to a buzzing bee than anything else on the road. It wasn't built for speed—topping out at around 60 mph (on a good day)—but it was designed for efficiency and ease of repair. The manual transmission gives you that tactile driving experience reminiscent of vintage European mini-cars like the Fiat 500. It's a car that turns every drive into an adventure, even if it's just down the block.
- Rarity and Collectibility: Finding a Subaru 360 in drivable condition today is like spotting a unicorn in the wild. With fewer than 10,000 ever imported to the U.S., they’re quite rare, especially with a manual transmission that still works! Sure, the seller mentions some rust and mechanical hiccups—an almost expected part of owning a 50-year-old vehicle—but these quirks can actually add to its appeal. It's a conversation piece and a project all rolled into one.
- Cultural Impact: This little car might not have the fame of a Mustang or a Corvette, but it captures a unique cultural moment—the shift towards compact cars during the oil crisis of the 1970s. For those in Southern California, where cars are a part of lifestyle and lore, driving a Subaru 360 around Palmdale might just make you the coolest (or most curious) car enthusiast on the block. It's a rolling piece of automotive history, offering a peek into the era of "kei cars" in Japan, adapted for American roads.
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