just bought a 360 sedan

[saturn]

not sure of the year, it's anywhere between 68 and 70 -- more likely 69 or 70

got it from Tom in eastern PA (I think he's on here)

we ended up squeezing it onto a 5'x9' utility trailer for the 500 mile trip back to Columbus, Ohio. when we got back, I realized I didn't have suitable wood for ramps... so we backed the trailer up to the retaining wall next to my neighbor's garage and rolled the 360 down to the alley and up my driveway into my garage. the ice didn't make things easier!

my plan was originally to do an EV conversion, but finding one with a good engine made me want to just restore it... though I might do something to get it a little more power in the future

pictures:






it's only missing a few things, and from what I'm told the engine will start. it has a gas leak (the tank has a hole) and a few other minor issues (the brakes don't work). I managed to find a rear strip (the "subaru 360" thing) on ebay-japan and bought it for $15.

things that are missing:
rear vent chrome trim pieces, rear fender chrome trim pieces, steering wheel 'Subaru' logo, back seats, front driver side mud flap, rear hood latch, front hood latch, driver side door strap, reverse light lens, license plate light and chrome housing, gas filler door with hinges and lock, driver side rear window latch, latch(es) for the top...

hope to have a lot of fun and find a lot of help here. if anyone has the things I'm missing for sale let me know.

[2stroketurbo]

Welcome Saturn! I wondered what happened to that particular car. It sounds like it found a fine home! I think you can drive that car and have a TON of fun with not too much work. They are pretty simple cars.

Mark

[project 360]

Welcome aboard Saturn! I wish you the best getting your 360 on the road.

I'm located just to your west in Richmond, Indiana and have some extra Subie parts. Make me a list of what you need, I probably have them.

[saturn]

I'll let you guys know what I need. I'm not going to go for 100% original, so I may be able to get by with replacing some things with parts for other cars (like the door straps - the ones from a VW bus are similar and a LOT easier to find, the mirrors are somewhat useless - I'd prefer different ones anyway, etc)

I've got some stuff coming up next week that I need to save my money for, but once I'm all done with that, then I'll surely be interested in starting on this project right away. I've got a friend who restores VWs professionally and can get similar parts cheap helping me with things like the rusted out floor pans - the plan is to use floor pans from a VW Beetle and cut them to the size I need.

[2stroketurbo]

Great Idea. Be sure to post some progress pix of the modified VW floor pan surgery. Seems like that should work.

I have a bunch of relatives that live in Avon Lake Ohio. I'll tell them to keep eyes peeled for a Subaru 360 sedan scooting around in the Columbus area.

Mark

[saturn]

yeah I figured newly-made VW parts are easier to come by and are of similar style... it'll be under the carpet anyway.

also, anyone know where to get a vector format of the old logo? the "subaru" and "s u b a r u 3 6 0" text... I emailed subaru's print design department but no reply...



I tried to make a vector of it but the only original I have to go by is the TINY version on the gauge cluster... might have to try to use the version on the back emblem strip. I'd like to redo the gauge cluster since it's rusting through the paint on the front, and I'd like to make new mudflaps that look like the originals, except made out of thicker/wider polyurethane.

[Tom]

I'm happy the car went to a good home. Was nice to meet you, good luck with it. Everyone here will help you out with whatever you need for it.

[saturn]

hey tom - sorry for my lack of manners! I had been up since the day before... zzz.

can't wait to get started on this thing. everyone who has seen it said it's cool as hell and they've never seen something so awesome.

[2stroketurbo]

Get used to people gawking and asking questions. Once you start driving you'll really be hooked. It's so much fun! You'll notice people will do illegal U-turns to try and get a better glimpse of you car rolling down the street.

I've had people throw down their yard tools, run out in the street, hail me to stop, and ask to take my picture with thier cell phones. Pretty crazy!


If you don't like people looking at you, or you LIKE to blend in......this is NOT the car for you!

Enjoy!

[saturn]

some italian guy came up to me at a rest stop in PA and said

"fiat?"

and when I said "nope, subaru" he looked really disappointed.

aside from that, about 90% of the people who passed us on the freeway stared/pointed/laughed

[saturn]

hey I can't post anywhere else on the site yet... anyone know what's up with that?

also, anyone know where to get the domes that go over the headlights? I saw them in some images that came up in google... they were out of a japanese magazine article about the 360. couldn't read a word of it but the domes look cool (remind me of the old nissan 280z)

[2stroketurbo]

Hmmm that is odd. I'm not for sure, but, I thought only club members could post. I just assumed you signed up. Maybe you found a loophole?


The headlight covers are Subaru 360 SS ( like super sport ) ........really rare......really desireable...... really expensive!

[Tom]

The headlight covers are Subaru 360 SS ( like super sport ) ........really rare......really desireable...... really expensive!

I saw a set of the young ss headlight covers on yahoo japan a few months ago. They were over $500

[saturn]

I joined and paid my $8 and subie gal made me a member... but I can only create new threads, I can't reply in existing ones

and darn, I figured the domes were rare. maybe I could make some out of something else.

[2stroketurbo]

I don't know. If you are a member you should have full access. This is a 2week old new board format. Maybe since you're new and the board is new there is some quirk.