**THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SELLING WITH NO RESERVE ON AN UPCOMING BRING-A-TRAILER ONLINE AUCTION. ONCE THE DATES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IT WILL BE UPDATED HERE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PLEASE REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH BRING A TRAILER TO BID. YOU CAN BID IN PERSON, OVER THE PHONE OR ONLINE. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!**
This charming 1969 Subaru 360 Super Deluxe Sedan is one of the best examples known to exist. The Subaru 360, produced from 1958 to 1971, was Subaru's first car. The lightweight Japanese microcar was known as the “Ladybug” or “People's Car”. It was a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle designed for urban Japanese conditions. It was popular for its affordability and efficiency. Between 1968 and 1970, ten thousand cars were imported to the United States by Malcolm Bricklin. The 360 is now a worldwide collector's item but limited amounts have been fully restored to original condition as a result of shortage of parts. From the information gathered this example spent its life in Southern California and only has 5,166 original miles. The second owner was the caretaker for 18 years before it was purchased in 2016 by well renowned Tsuguya “Jay” Ataka of JDM Car Parts and Restoration Service located in Torrance, CA. The company was founded in the late 2000's and have been supplying parts to thousands of vintage Japanese car lovers all around the world to restore cars back to their original condition. Product engineer and restoration specialist Jay Ataka is well known in the Japanese classic car industry in the US for his immaculate built cars. His award winning show cars and unobtainable car parts that he engineers for classic Japanese cars are always well known for the highest quality. Jay's list of credentials, awards and contributions is very long. When Jay purchased this for the Subaru 360 were scarce. JDM restored this beautiful 1969 Subaru 360 Super Deluxe Sedan as an engineering project of their new line of parts. The goal was to create as many reproduction parts as possible during the restoration process. Some of these parts include roof parts, rocker panels, weather strips, hub caps, interior parts, gaskets and a stainless steel muffler. This car was the product of a concours restoration that exceeded $140,000.00 with the original cost of the car, parts and labor. Every single nut and bolt was touched during this comprehensive restoration. With alliance in Japan, now JDM has the largest selection of parts for the Subaru 360 series. Upon completion in 2017, this car has been a show car and featured on JDM's website as a point of reference. The car won “Best of Show” and “Best Rare Car” awards at the JCCS (Japanese Classic Car Show) at Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA in 2017. It's also won “Best of Show” at SubieFest in Los Angeles, CA in 2022. The awards were kept by JDM for recognition and not included. Owner's manual, tool kit, tool manual, Subaru advertisement, polished license plates and touch up are included. MS CLASSIC CARS purchased this car directly from Jay Ataka in May of 2025. September of 2025 is the time it's been listed for sale.
The exterior presents beautifully with its distinctive factory design and color combination. During the restoration process the body was stripped to a bare shell, prepped and repainted. It retains the original factory sheet metal with exception of the rocker panels. The body is very straight with excellent panel fitment. The suicide doors, trunk cover and engine cover open very nicely. It was refinished in the correct shade of cream with a white roof. The show quality paint was recently detailed to a brilliant shine by the team at MS CLASSIC CARS. It retains the factory original stamped glass which is in excellent condition which is reflective of the original low mileage. Everything on the exterior was restored or replaced new such as the trim, weather-stripping, wiper arms, fender-mounted mirrors, headlights, parking lights, chrome bumpers, door handles, rear fender vents, chrome rear fender guards, locking fuel filler door and emblems. It rolls on 10” painted wheels that are decorated with chrome hub caps. The wheels are mounted to BF Goodrich Silverstown 4.80-10 whitewall tires.
The interior also presents beautifully throughout. The cabin was also stripped, prepped and repainted cream. The roof is covered with a cream colored perforated headliner. The dash was covered with a black pad and the floors were covered with black vinyl. The door panels and seating surfaces were upholstered in red. Everything in the interior was restored or replaced new such as the sun visors, rear view mirror, dash knobs, 2-spoke steering wheel, heater, door handles, window rollers, shifter, emergency brake handle and factory stickers. It's equipped with an 80-mph speedometer, ash tray, passenger grab handle, glove box and pop out vent windows. The trunk compartment was also stripped, prepped and repainted cream. All of the wiring including the fuse box was gone through. Its home to the battery, full size spare and jack tools.
The engine compartment is highly detailed throughout. The entire bay was also stripped, prepped and repainted cream. The car is powered by the rear-mounted two-stroke EK32 356cc air-cooled 2-cylinder engine that was factory rated with 25hp at 5,500 rpm. The factory original engine was completely rebuilt during the restoration and runs excellent. The engine breathes through a new exhaust system and has a sweet sound. The power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.
The undercarriage is nicely detailed throughout. The original floors were refinished in the textured black paint for durability and the remaining underside was repainted cream. It's equipped with rack and pinion steering. The independent suspension consists of trailing arm front axle with torsion bar and coil spring on the front and swing axle with torsion bar on the rear. The hydraulic braking system consists of finned brake drums.
