Hello from Top Gear on History

Place to come in and say HI to the club after you have registered

Moderators: Subie Gal, 2stroketurbo

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Rutledge
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Joined: 10 years ago

Hello from Top Gear on History

#1 Post by Rutledge »

Hi gang,

My name is Rutledge and I am the proud new owner of a '69 360 Van. I have had a special place in my heart for these micro's since I first saw them online a few years ago and after chasing a few on ebay unsuccessfully, I found one in someone's back yard and now I've got it.

Took me a few days to find you guys, but now that I'm here, I'm reading everything I can and hopefully I can get this bad boy running again and cruising the streets soon.

But I don't want to lie...I'm going to need some help. So thanks in advance for loving weird cars too. And if you've ever watched Top Gear on History, or any Nascar stuff I've done on Speed, thanks for that too :)

Rut
Host, Top Gear on History
'69 Subaru 360 van

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kratie
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Location: Long Beach California

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#2 Post by kratie »

Welcome
These cars are a labor of love there is not much out there but if anyone can help or point you in the right direction for parts or advice the members of the board would be them!
Post some pics of your new toy :D

JD
69 van owner and
Honda n600

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carlofsumner
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#3 Post by carlofsumner »

Rutledge:

Welcome to the group. You will find all the help you want right here. Many of our members have vans and some even run. As stated before this post, we like pics of the before as well as the during and after.
Carl D
1968 Ultra Van 400 - referred to as a whale and named The Righteous Coach
1970 Subaru sedan- referred to as an Orca chaser

Mike72
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Location: Brick Nj

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#4 Post by Mike72 »

Welcome Rut you will get all the help you need right here. Ive met you a time or two at the races . I supply the dry break for gas cans for nascar. Are you going to Daytona?
68 sedanImage

rogerbhp
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#5 Post by rogerbhp »

Welcome! I suggest that you (and everyone who hasn't) should list their location permanently in their postings. It will help others who want to help you.

oldone
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#6 Post by oldone »

Welcome. I'll be the first , but not the last to say "we like pics'. Also you newbies Roger is right, please post you location in you sig in the left of the screen. It lets ever one know where you are.

2stroketurbo
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#7 Post by 2stroketurbo »

welcome! It always intrigues me that people associated with the fastest most powerful cars like Nascar love Subaru 360's


ImageImageImage

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rb_360
Posts: 35
Joined: 11 years ago
Location: NY

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#8 Post by rb_360 »

Hi Rut!

Good to see you here. You've got a quirky taste in vehicles, judging by your "Garage" page. The Subaru van should feel at home.

And please, no need to thank me for watching Top Gear!

- Bob

Velecasa
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#9 Post by Velecasa »

Guy I don't know if my deal goes though but I may be the next to hold the land speed record !!!

Steve

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kjrcace360fan
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#10 Post by kjrcace360fan »

Welcome, Watch you when I can. Love Nascar, Top Gear, Racing in general and of course cars. Glad to have ya. We need pics.
Spud the Orange Young, Hippie (Sold), DB1 Yatch car, DB2 Cheesburger dune buggy

subaru360nut
Club Founder - 360 Guru
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Tucson AZ (I'm Ed Parsil)

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#11 Post by subaru360nut »

Welcome to The Club! I've been a Nascar fan since it began,
Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly were my early favorites.
Never miss a race (on TV) if I can help it.
Will have my van 39 years next month, still drive it every day.
We'll help get and keep yours on the road.

Ed Parsil in Tucson
300,000+ miles on Subaru 360s since Feb. 1975, and have never (yet) been stuck on the road with one!

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1_2MINI
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#12 Post by 1_2MINI »

Welcome to the club Rut. It's great to have you. If you ever want to get some 360's together in the LA/IE area let me know. I've got a pretty nice '70 van. Good luck on your project and don't forget to post pics when you get some.
Owner of a 1970 van and 1970 sedan.

StevenM
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#13 Post by StevenM »

Welcome Rut!

Congrats on your acquisition! As you have seen this is "where it's at" for Subaru 360 fans! Be sure to post questions, and include photos illustrating your issues, as they come up. You can be sure to get authoritative help no matter what the problem.

If you don't already have them, you can download all the manuals from my website (see link below). Also, if you don't already have the BOR (the "Book of Reprints"), just ask for the link.

Best of luck,
Steve

PS: post pictures of your van! Here are my two 360s, both running thanks to Sigmaz (Jon) (on right)
Attachments
two_running_360s.jpg
Image

'70 Subaru 360 Young http://www.mysubaru360.com
'71 Honda 600 Coupe http://www.honda600coupe.com
'78 MG Midget http://www.1978mgmidget.com

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Sigmaz
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#14 Post by Sigmaz »

Welcome Rutledge!

Very cool to see a celebrity getting into our favorite vehicles.

Man do I look like a goon in that picture...
-Jon
ImageImage
'The little su-BAR-u... Wow.'

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kjrcace360fan
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#15 Post by kjrcace360fan »

Rut, Any chance you have any pull with rubber manufactures? Goodyear comes to mind. We could really use some re-manufactured window rubber.
Spud the Orange Young, Hippie (Sold), DB1 Yatch car, DB2 Cheesburger dune buggy

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books1
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#16 Post by books1 »

Hi Rutledge,

Welcome to the Club from downunder!

You're in the second home of the Subie 360 (after Japan)!

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blackmarketpandas
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#17 Post by blackmarketpandas »

Welcome to the club from San Diego. I would have given up on these cars if it wasn't for all the information and help from the members here. When can we expect a Top Gear Subaru 360 episode? :D

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Subie Gal
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#18 Post by Subie Gal »

Sweet

Stanley and I welcome you :)

Image
1970 360 Sambar Van aka Stanley
1970 360 Sambar Truck aka Dirty
1970 360 Sedan - yet to be named.
1970 Subaru FF-1

Rutledge
Posts: 4
Joined: 10 years ago

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#19 Post by Rutledge »

Hi Everybody!

Sorry that I haven't had more time for pictures. I've snapped a bunch and done some work on it, but I need to find a good place to host the pics and load them up here. I'm going to try and get a little creative with it because I'm struggling with the fact that they aren't many parts for them, let alone any kind of upgrades.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens and what kind of progress we make! Hope I can find a right rear tail light and both front turn signals, or I'm going to have to get creative and find something that fits and is relatively close....haha. If there is such a thing.

Also, we started shooting the next run of 10 Top Gear US shows, so I'll be pretty busy with that for the first half of the year, but I'm going to make this little Subie happen!
Host, Top Gear on History
'69 Subaru 360 van

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carlofsumner
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#20 Post by carlofsumner »

Have it ready by July and bring it to the National Microcar Show in Tacoma, WA
Carl D
1968 Ultra Van 400 - referred to as a whale and named The Righteous Coach
1970 Subaru sedan- referred to as an Orca chaser

rogerbhp
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#21 Post by rogerbhp »

Check ebay for lenses (right now!)

2stroketurbo
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#22 Post by 2stroketurbo »

ImageImageImage

2stroketurbo
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#23 Post by 2stroketurbo »

2stroketurbo wrote:http://www.gpnwmme.com !!


maybe we could incorporate some "Top Gear" stunts with microcars during the show


I always wanted to do a barrel roll in a Subaru 360.... :?
ImageImageImage

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books1
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Location: Perth, Western Australia ..... Young SS downunder

Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#24 Post by books1 »

2stroketurbo wrote:
2stroketurbo wrote:http://www.gpnwmme.com !!


maybe we could incorporate some "Top Gear" stunts with microcars during the show


I always wanted to do a barrel roll in a Subaru 360.... :?
You can do that, using a rotisserie..

MrAndrewLittle
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#25 Post by MrAndrewLittle »

books1 wrote:
2stroketurbo wrote:
2stroketurbo wrote:http://www.gpnwmme.com !!


maybe we could incorporate some "Top Gear" stunts with microcars during the show


I always wanted to do a barrel roll in a Subaru 360.... :?
You can do that, using a rotisserie..
Has anyone built a rotisserie for these cars? I was thinking about using two engine stands. :wink:

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kjrcace360fan
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#26 Post by kjrcace360fan »

I was thinking of the same Idea or two halo frames one front one back. I used my engine hoist to lift my shell to the top of the other shell, but it could have been used to mount the shell between two engine stands. Probably would need out riggers on the engine stands but maybe not.
Spud the Orange Young, Hippie (Sold), DB1 Yatch car, DB2 Cheesburger dune buggy

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Subie Gal
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Re: Hello from Top Gear on History

#27 Post by Subie Gal »

2stroketurbo wrote:http://www.gpnwmme.com !!

Great idea!

Maybe they can bring Foust with them - been a long time since I raced against that guy.
(For those not in the know, USA Top Gear co-host Tanner Foust used to compete in Rally America events with us Rally types)

Not sure we can rally the Sambar though! lol might make for some good comedy :mrgreen:
1970 360 Sambar Van aka Stanley
1970 360 Sambar Truck aka Dirty
1970 360 Sedan - yet to be named.
1970 Subaru FF-1

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