SUBARU SAMBAR VANS

[DAVIDTOLAND]

Here  are pics of the SUBARU  VANS   that are for the eastern market   and  with a change of badge   they look like old campers  from the hippy 60's 

[Jay762]

Funky :P

[Gambit]

Haha nice find and thanks for sharing. I could see a cult following these if they started to sell them here I know a few people that are in to the VW vans :)

[DAVIDTOLAND]

they do sell them in the UK  But only as "IMPORTS"   I found a company that sells them ,  My mrs is looking for a car and I think as our second car to get one of these , As I have always had a little fancy fro the VW campers the early models & I am a SCOOBY fan so one of these would be ideal for us combing 2 of my likes into something practical , 

Can I post the link to the page of the company that sells these ??   They also do a lot of " normal" subaru mods  etc 

[Jay762]

No problem at all - please share

[Gambit]

Yeah share away mate :D 

Whats the Mrs's think to them I'm guessing she would be driving it more. 

[DAVIDTOLAND]

the mrs is easy she prefers small cars and likes the ol vw's  

here is the link 

http://www.subarusambar.co.uk/

[Gambit]

Are you going to see if you can get a test drive then. I'm interested on what they would be like to drive. :)

 

Think the debadged look best to me also 

[DAVIDTOLAND]

Yes the subaru badged ones do like nice like the grey one in the pics . I will call the dealers for the next time I going to england and arrange a test drive . I have did a bit more digging about and found out they share the same chassis and have a few more aspects in common with the SUZUKI CARRY mini vans

[Gambit]

Probably know more then the dealers your going to buy them from :) 

[Jay762]

rubbish video quality but made me giggle

 

600cc's of snarling death :D

 

[Gambit]

PMSL. beasted by a van ;)

[DAVIDTOLAND]

had to be seen to be believed   The almight subaru  lol psml

[Gambit]

I've had to watch that again now still put's a smile on my face :)

[davievtec]

Aww they are amazing lol

[Gambit]

I would have one and turn it in to a right passion wagon. Then nick name it Glenn Quagmire. :)

[Adam]

I worked on a Subaru Domingo van once... Very similar but fitted with 1,189cc 3-cylinder engine from the Justy. It was a great little van and I was really impressed with the way it was built... The layout was basically the same as an Impreza AWD but turned around 180 degrees, with the engine in the back.

[Gambit]

I just had a look at some images see the engines in the back was it worse to work with or better, I can see the floor's there to lay on over the top. But look's like a right pain in the rear :)

[Jay762]

you would probably find its easy to drop the whole lump out as one and have it on your bench, kitchen table etc

[Adam]

Wasn't too difficult for access as you can also remove the rear wheels to get in from the sides.

The example I worked on also had a fake VW camper front fitted and this obstructed the cooling vents giving the rear engine some overheating issues.

[Miggs]

sounds just like the original VW campers then lol

[pauldhills]

this thread is a couple of years old now,. but if anyone is interested in the subaru vans, i have owned a few..

 

The subaru sumo (libero in europe, columbuss in sweden and domingo in japan) was available from 1983-1993. it was available in 1.0 (990cc)  or  1.2 (1189cc) 3 cylinder EF engines based on those used in the Subaru Justy. The E10 and E12 engines put out a massive :-) 37kw /50bhp or 38kw/52bhp respectively. The E12 was available with a selectable 4WD, operated via a button on the gearstick. they were available as panel vans or mini vans (various winodow / sunroof options and rear seating). Here is a pic of my panel van:

 

and the mini van version

 

 

they are very simular to the bedford rascal, Dihatsu Hijet or suzuki carry, but with a rear mounted engine (which made it more balanced, but preventing it from performing endo's like the hijets :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1CnkEhEE7Q

[pauldhills]

In the 90’s Subaru released the Subaru Sambar in japan, a 660cc, 5 seat van with an optional supercharger and intercooler package, coupled with fuel injection. An automatic transmission (ECVT system) was offered along with full-time 4WD system. The Subaru Sambar is classed as a Kei car - a Japanese category of small vehicle, designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations. The regulations restrict physical size and engine displacement. These standards originated in the times following the end of the Second World War, when most Japanese could not afford a full-sized car, yet had enough to buy a motorcycle. To promote the growth of the car industry, as well as to offer an alternative delivery method to small business and shop owners, kei car standards were created.

 

 

In 1993 subaru stopped selling the subaru sumo in the uk. A new shaped subaru libero (europe) or Domingo (japan) was released.

 

 

The domingo shared many characteristics with the Subaru Sambar, except it had extended front and rear bumpers and was powered by the 1.0 or 1.2 3-cylinder EF engines (taking it out of the kei car range). The increased power meant a maximum seating capacity of 7 was possible. A Full Time 4WD was added to the options list along with the ECVT automatic transmission. in Japan many of the Sambar's / Domingo’s have been fitted with a bodykit to replicate the VW campervan (but smaller :-) ). more and more of these conversions are being imported into the uk from japan (prefered over the european libero as they are right hand drive). here are some pics of my Domingo (1.2 ECVT )

 

[Gambit]

There ace mate. Id have one to play with.

[quit]

I would love one with a ej20