Something to keep my Smart company

[JThw8]

This little bugger found its way to my house yesterday. I see alot of the owners here are also microcar nuts so I assume you will appreciate it



And the odd dimensions make it look bigger than it is so here it is with the Smart for true understanding of how small this thing is.





Its a 1968 Subaru 360 Microvan. 2 cyl aircooled, rear engine rear drive.

I cant help but look at it and think swapping a smart drivetrain in it would work just about perfectly

It was found and purchased for about the cost of a set of smart floormats so Im happy, lots of work ahead, but it should be an interesting project.

[dennyrex]

That should be a lot of fun; I had a ball in the 360 coupe version back in 1971 (yellow & black). my best friend at the time was 6' 5" and we used to remove the passenger seat when he would ride with me, so he could sit in the back and stretch his legs.

don't forget, it's a 2-stroke engine...

[Big Panda]

OMG!!!! that is way too cool!

where did you find it or did IT find YOU? i would LOVE to have something like but i think the wife would have me sleeping in the garage.

please keep us posted on your progress......

[Big Panda]

....kinda looks like this ones "Big Brother"

[Dave Van]

Cool....as they say in hot rodding...dare to be different!

[JThw8]

Originally Posted by dennyrex

don't forget, it's a 2-stroke engine...

Not for long ;)
A few options are in the offing.
aircooled VW, mid mounted
Smallish FWD drivetrain (Sprint, Metro, etc)
Motorcycle engined
oooor....I have a 5.0 small block and T5 trans, but I just cant see how it would fit....

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

OMG!!!! that is way too cool!

where did you find it or did IT find YOU? i would LOVE to have something like but i think the wife would have me sleeping in the garage.

please keep us posted on your progress......

Kinda found me. A friend sent me the ad, turned out to be 15 minutes from my office and I just couldnt pass it up, Ive always loved micro cars.
Wife is out of town so I got it in the garage before she gets here. she never goes in there so it could be months before she sees it. Still...a) she lets me do what I want with the cars, I keep a seperate budget so it doesnt effect the household b) I plan to do it up in scooby doo mystery machine style, Scooby Doo is her favorite cartoon from her youth.

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

....kinda looks like this ones "Big Brother"

Same vehicle chassis, they just cut off the top to make the truck

[mike-in-sa]

Why not put a smart drivetrain in it?

[2mutch]

Originally Posted by JThw8

This little bugger found its way to my house yesterday. I see alot of the owners here are also microcar nuts so I assume you will appreciate it

And the odd dimensions make it look bigger than it is so here it is with the Smart for true understanding of how small this thing is.

Its a 1968 Subaru 360 Microvan. 2 cyl aircooled, rear engine rear drive.

I cant help but look at it and think swapping a smart drivetrain in it would work just about perfectly

It was found and purchased for about the cost of a set of smart floormats so Im happy, lots of work ahead, but it should be an interesting project.

Hey JThw8,

Congrats on picking up the 360 van. They are as fun as the smarts IMO and can be even more addictive. If there's any chance you would consider a striaght-ahead restore using the 2-stroker (assuming it is intact and rebuildable - most are), I believe you would be very happy with the little engine and the 60+ MPG...along with the uniqueness factor.

Here's the 360 van I had back in 1981 that I restored from about the same condition as yours.





There is a LARGE club and loads of supportive members with parts all over the country.

See the "new" site here >
http://www.subaru360club.org/
They "old" site here >
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...5360/main.html
(plenty to browse on both sites!)

I go back with the 360 Drivers Club since 1980 as they were coming into existence and the real goal for all of us 360 nuts is to keep as many of the vehicles running and on the road as possible. You would do good to research a lot - pictures, info, contacts, etc.. - before you begin a thing. Parts through the Club are much cheaper and more reliable than those you might find on online auctions and such. There are many owners out there willing to help with questions and assistance too.

Check out my Gallery for more 360 picts too! http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...8&userid=12257

On Two Cylinders! ...and with the smart, on three!



- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH