I'm not quite sure when I got bit by the microvan bug. I think, like many parents, I just wanted my little Fiat 124 Spider to have a sibling. You know, a little buddy to goof off with. Play the bassline to "heart & soul" - toss a frisbee around on the beach - that sort of thing.
So after we moved to Portland and I got realistic about my "cars to own before I die" list, I decided I could make room for a little haul around runabout with a back seat of some kind, as long as it was efficient. I thought that would fill in the gaps that owning a ragtop convertible created. no back seat, terrible rain/winter driving. I took it out today and... brrrr! So, in too many words, I started obsessing over the idea of keeping it in the family with a Fiat Multipla from the 50/60's, an ultra-rare 600 variant. But those are simply IMPOSSIBLE to find short of going to italy and shipping one back, so I shifted my efforts to the still impossible but slightly more likely Subaru 360 van that you all have. Fantastic. Style. Curves in all the right places. Versatile. Classic. Surprisingly cargo friendly. And not to mention every time I see one I just want to bottle it up and put a cork on it.
So, the fire was further fanned when I discovered Jet Industries imported the 80's version of the 360 (the Subaru 600 van) and sold it as a factory electric vehicle, and that my neighbor 2 blocks down had one of these "Electravans." Wow. Just... wow. Seriously cool.
I continued to search for the right 360 to come along for a few months. When out of nowhere, the unthinkable - one of those fancy Electravans popped up for sale.
Bought.
It needs TLC. body, mechanical, electrical, all of the above. But I see the potential and it'll be worth it in the end. When it comes to cars, I see no need to fool around pr change things up every few years - monogomy is the best policy. just like my Fiat, I'll be driving this a ton and holding onto this little dude until it falls apart like on the flintstones. it has 8000 miles on it, I figure it's good for a few more.
So now if you all would bestow on me honorary 360-ness and let me lurk on your message boards to try to find parts and answers as I try to get this little 600 back on the road, i'd be most appreciative! was very happy to find this club!
