The Sambar Truck and Subaru 450 were launched at the Tokyo Akasaka Prince Hotel on October 14, 1960, two and a half years following the Subaru 360 going on sale.











At that time, the Sambar had the lowest floor and widest rear deck of any light truck, and it was an RR vehicle, i.e. it had rear-drive and was equipped with an air-cooled two-cycle two-cylinder 360 cc engine at the rear. Thanks to the rear engine mounting, it had good load balance between loaded and unloaded times, and its independent suspension system (the same as that in the Subaru 360) gave it excellent driving comfort. In terms of safety too, the Sambar was designed with the driver’s seat separated from the bumper as far as possible with a view to improving collision safety. The three main features of the first generation Sambar, i.e. RR drive, four-wheel independent suspension, and cabover style, were continued for 50 years until the end of Subaru production in 2012. (Since 2012, the Sambar is supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. based on the OEM system, and Subaru continues to retail it today).

The “Sambar” name is derived from the deer that is native to Southern China and India, and it was chosen in order to evoke an image of “running lightly.”

The first generation Sambar truck went on sale in February 1961, four months after its launch. In September that year, the four-person Sambar Light Van, which could serve as both a business and a leisure vehicle, additionally went on sale. In March 1962, a four-door light van with an added rear gate, was added to the conventional three-door model (two doors at the front and one on the left side). This model underwent subsequent improvements to detailed parts every year until it was discontinued in 1965.

First generation Sambar Light Van (December 1961)

Size:*Length 2,990 mm x Width 1,300 mm x Height 1,520 mm
Wheelbase:*1,670 mm
Tread:*(Front) 1,130 mm (Rear) 1,070 m
Min. ground clearance:*195 mm
Vehicle weight:*470 kg
Riding capacity:*Four persons

Engine:*EK32
Model:*Air-cooled two-cycle, in-line two-cylinder
Displacement:*356 cc
Max. output:*18PS/4,700 rpm
Max. torque:*3.2 kg•m/3,200 rpm
Suspension
Front: Trailing arm independent suspension
Rear: Swing axle independent suspension




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