In the Attic named Pleiades

To mark the launch of the Subaru 1000, Subaru magazine ran a mostly illustrated series of articles entitled “Changes in Subaru” starting from Vol. 34 (issued on May 1, 1966) and finishing with Vol. 39 (issued in March 1967). The series included an easy to understand and illustrated introduction to the design changes that had been made over the years to the Subaru 360, which was launched in 1958. The following is an excerpt from the serial column.

Steering wheel and dashboard area


Steering wheel and dashboard area of the Subaru 360 launched in 1958


1961 model


1962 model


Steering wheel and dashboard area of the redesigned 1963 Subaru 360


1966 model

Changes mainly around the interior seating


Seating area of the Subaru 360 launched in 1958


Seating area of the 1962 model


From 1962, the car was divided into the Standard and Deluxe models. The 1963 first half Deluxe model adopted two-tone high quality seating.


The seating was revamped in the 1963 second half Deluxe model, and reclining seats were adopted for the front seats.


Seating area of the latest Subaru 360 Super Deluxe

Changes in the window and door areas


The 1958 model had large door pockets.


The 1959 model had a three-plate front-rear slide window.


The 1962 model adopted an opening/closing rear window (the picture shows the DX).


In the 1963 model, inner lining was applied to the doors and fully opening vertical side windows were adopted (the picture shows the DX).


The 1965 model adopted rack pinion door lock and push-type door handles (the picture shows the DX).


In the 1966 model, pockets were added to the insides of doors (the picture shows the DX).

Changes in body

The basic lines of the body have hardly changed at all in 10 years. Here, we have traced the major visible changes.*
1958 model: This adopted a separated front bumper; the rear air duct grille was on the driver side only; the lights were affectionately likened to a pop-eyed goldfish; the fender had no mirrors, and the wiper was on the driver side only.


1958 model: This adopted a separated front bumper; the rear air duct grille was on the driver side only; the lights were affectionately likened to a pop-eyed goldfish; the fender had no mirrors, and the wiper was on the driver side only.


1959 model: The rear air duct grille was also provided on the passenger side, making the car completely symmetrical in design.


1960 model: The front bumper became integrated.


1961 model: Parking lamps and reflectors were added.


1962-1963 model: Two models – the Deluxe and Standard – were launched from 1962. The Deluxe headlamps design was changed to the current design, and mirrors were added to the fender. The Standard model underwent the same changes in 1963.


1964 model: The rear style design was revamped and made smarter for both the Standard and Deluxe. Vertical louvers and two tail lamps were adopted.


1965 model: The tank cap was changed to a built-in design.


1966: This is the latest version Subaru 360. Black moldings have been added to the front and rear bumpers to add some accent. It has become even more user friendly and luxurious and acquired even higher performance as a family car, and it will continue to write new pages in the history of Subaru as further improvements are made from now on. Please look forward to it.

(Excerpt from the serial column carried in Subaru Vol. 34 - 39)



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