ARII 1/32 Subaru "Impressed-Yet" 360 Racing.

[pourquoi61]

I'm not a fan of Cars and Bikes, however in community spirit I have decided to enter to keep the numbers up. Considering I like things that look different and wanted both a fun and quick build, when I saw this particular kit I knew I had to have it and enter it. Having opened the box and had a look inside, it seems to be a good kit, a little bit of flash here and there to clean up with somewhat soft detailing (it might have been a limited run?), it'll be built out of the box and there might be some scratch-building to do, but only time will tell. Anyway, with that said and done, here are the pictures:








The Subaru 360 is a rear-engined, two-door city car manufactured and marketed from 1958 to 1971 by Subaru. As the company's first automobile, production reached 392,000 over its 12-year model run.

Noted for its small overall size, 1,000 lb curb weight, monocoque construction, swing axle rear suspension, fiberglass roof panel, and rear-hinged doors, the inexpensive car was designed in response to the Japanese government's light car or Kei car regulations and its proposal for a larger "national car," both intended to help motorize the post WWII Japanese population. The 360's overall size and engine capacity complied with Japan's Kei car regulations.

Nicknamed the "ladybug" in Japan, and ultimately superseded by R-2, the 360 was one of Japan's most popular cars and was available in a single generation in two-door, station wagon, "convertible" (coupe with roll-back fabric roof) and sport model variants.10,000 were sold in the United States, imported by Malcolm Bricklin — advertised as "Cheap and Ugly." ( )

The nameplate 360 derived from its tax-limited engine displacement: 356 cc.

[pourquoi61]

Just found this, for your viewing pleasure. I call it "7 Minutes of Joy":
[youtube]qzvmPpXTAqM[/youtube]

[Rallychef]

I like this little kit, I built one years ago, went together really well as I recall. will be watching with interest

Regards Ian D

[pourquoi61]

I like this little kit, I built one years ago, went together really well as I recall. will be watching with interest

Regards Ian D

Thanks for the info, it will be a fun little build I hope.

[Rallychef]

I built mine with the optional flared wheel arches, but the kit still had the standard wheels and axles, I remembering having to extend the axle so the wheels filled the space better.

regards Ian D

[DrSprue]

That looks like a really fun kit! So funny they call it ugly even in the sales video (or VHS tape really, lol) So cool.

[pourquoi61]

I built mine with the optional flared wheel arches, but the kit still had the standard wheels and axles, I remembering having to extend the axle so the wheels filled the space better.

regards Ian D

Thanks for that Ian I just might think about it.

[pourquoi61]

That looks like a really fun kit! So funny they call it ugly even in the sales video (or VHS tape really, lol) So cool.

No messing around,tell it how it is.
Thanks.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Japanese Herbie the Love Bug race scheme might make it a bit cuter

[pourquoi61]

Japanese Herbie the Love Bug race scheme might make it a bit cuter

Well spotted and right on the money.

[HIghAltitudeScale]

This will be fun to watch you build

[pourquoi61]

Here we go, as you can see there is some flash and a mould line running down both sides of the car.
This was sanded down smooth.

One on the front as well.

Also on the floor pan.

Sorry "Herbie" fans but I went for a blue from Halfords and the seats and side panels Vermin Brown.

Paint on..

Seats painted Vermin Brown.

The kit gives you two types of wheels.

I think the white wheels look the best.

[pourquoi61]

This will be fun to watch you build

Well I hope it will be fun also.
Thanks.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I like the body colour
and "vermin brown" has to be my new favourite paint call out

[pourquoi61]

Sorry for the poor photo, some kind of wheel brace goes in next.

Then I skip to the seats.

Side panels painted Vermin Brown.

I was looking to make this into some kind of "Banger Racing" car, so a Agrax Earthshade wash was applied to the seats and side panels.

Once dry the original colour was painted back on to look like heavy wear and tear.

The spindles are sanded smooth and the tyres had their tread sanded before pushing the wheels through.


The completed wheel assembly was then added to the floor pan.

I then painted the steering wheel and stuck that to the dashboard.
The lights reflectors were painted silver.

That's all for now.
Thanks for dropping by.

[gaz45]

Looking good so far mate

[DrSprue]

Oh superb interior painting and weathering!

[pourquoi61]

I like the body colour
and "vermin brown" has to be my new favourite paint call out

Citadel Paints have some funny paint names.
Not sure about the paint work, once decals and panels are picked out
we will see how good it looks.

[pourquoi61]

Looking good so far mate

Thanks, it is a fun little build.

[pourquoi61]

Oh superb interior painting and weathering!

Thank you.

[pourquoi61]

Ok, so I then painted the door gear with silver.

Then the side panels were glued in place like so:

The clear parts are very thick and scratched, so I brushed a couple of coats of Johnsons Klear on them.
Give 20 minutes between each coat to allow for drying time.

I wanted to paint some of the window seals with black paint.
To do this I cut long thin pieces of Tamiya tape and slowly masked the windows.




Citadel Abaddon Black was brush painted on.
Make sure the tape is pressed down well.


I will do the backside windows next.
Not backside. butt.

Thanks for dropping by.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking great
Future to the rescue for clear parts....I do that all the time too
She is a right cute looking little, uhhh well I am sure she has a great personality

[pourquoi61]

Looking great
Future to the rescue for clear parts....I do that all the time too
She is a right cute looking little, uhhh well I am sure she has a great personality

Thanks, but I think it is starting to look like a metal toy car.

[pourquoi61]

Ok, on with with the bug build.
I used the same method of masking as before to do the side-rear window rubbers.
Again brush painting it with Citadel Abaddon Black.
Once dry, I glued in the one piece window section.

So she ended up looking like this.


While this was drying I put the tiny decal on the speedo and painted the wheel.

The next shot is the dash in place.

Once dry, the floor pan and body were glued together.

I then glued the headlight covers in place using an old cotton bud with blu-tac on the end to hold the cover in place while locating.

I have used Revell Contacta Clear for the first time and found it very easy and less messy than Humbrol Clear Fix.

That is the first light cover in place and the next photo is both in place

I then masked and brush painted the bumpers silver.


I have just the mirrors, number plates and indicators to place on the model and she is done.
Not forgetting the decals.
Thanks for dropping by.