Subaru 1500

Subaru 1500

Also called	P-1
Production	1954
Successor	Subaru 1000
Body style(s)	Sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	1.5L FG4A 48 PS (35.3 kW; 47.3 bhp) 1.5L L4-1 55 PS (40.5 kW; 54.2 bhp)
Length	4,235 mm (166.7 in)
Width	1,670 mm (65.7 in)
Height	1,520 mm (59.8 in)
Curb weight	1230 kg (2712 lb)

The first vehicle built by the automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries was called the Subaru 1500, with the development code-name of P1. The prototype used a monocoque body structure, with an independent wishbone front suspension and a rear leaf spring suspension with three plates and a live rear axle.

The 1.5 liter four cylinder OHV engine, code named "FG4A" was sourced from Peugeot from the Peugeot 202, and built by Fuji Precision Technology, later known as the Prince Motor Company. The 1500 has a similar appearance to the Peugeot 404. Later a different engine was developed in-house by Fuji Heavy Industries, code named "L4-1" which was also a 1.5 liter OHV engine, that was 20 percent lighter than the previous engine used. The "P-1" was water cooled and used an in-line 4 cylinder engine.

Only 20 "P-1"'s were built, with 11 vehicles using the "FG4A" engine. Six units were provided to the Isesaki Ota Honjo taxi company for private testing, with successful results.

This article is based on a translation of the article スバル・1500 from the Japanese Wikipedia.

References

• Subaru History website (japanese)