Tiny Subaru With a Big Personality

Long before Subaru became synonymous with Outbacks and Foresters, the brand entered the U.S. with tiny Japanese microcars. Now, a charming piece of that early history has appeared on Bring a Trailer: the 1969 Subaru Sambar 360.

Subaru arrived in America in 1968 through entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin, who imported the quirky 360 sedan for its exceptional fuel economy and ability to take advantage of favorable import regulations. The Sambar was the van-bodied sibling, and a small number also made their way across the Pacific.

This particular Sambar stands out with its bright metallic lime-green exterior and matching minimalist cabin. Green cloth accents complement the vinyl seats, while the tiny van offers a surprisingly useful amount of cargo room despite measuring less than 10 feet long. Would it make the perfect vehicle for something ridiculous, like delivering helium balloons?

Power comes from a rear-mounted 356cc two-stroke, two-cylinder engine producing just 25 hp. A four-speed manual sends that modest output to the rear wheels. The odometer shows roughly 32,000 miles, although the vehicle's actual mileage is unknown.

The Sambar's tiny engine wasn't just economical; in Japan, its low output helped owners reduce road taxes and insurance costs. This example is even more unusual for American collectors because it has left-hand drive rather than the right-hand-drive configuration common among Japanese-market kei cars.

It certainly won't win any drag races, but that's hardly the point. With its cheerful face, tiny dimensions and unusual Subaru history, this Sambar could make an incredibly fun collector car.

Could you actually live with a 25-hp microvan today? Would you choose this quirky Sambar over a conventional classic Subaru? And what would you use its surprisingly spacious cargo area for?

The auction ends August 13.