The second generation New Sambar was launched and also went on sale at an event staged at Tokyo Kaikan in Marunouchi, Tokyo on January 8, 1966.

The New Sambar had a fresh body style and a wide array of improvements.

The Sambar truck’s rear deck was only 355 millimeters off the ground, making it the lowest among light trucks at that time, and it was also 20% larger than before. The detachable side gate made loading and unloading more easier; the two-stage wide-floor truck adopted a waterproof locker (fitted with key) that could be opened from either side on the lower deck, while the flat upper deck had flaps on three sides, thereby enhancing the vehicle’s capacity to carry various loads. The rear deck space was 3.62 square meters, making it the largest among light trucks at that time. Through expanding the side door to a width of 960 millimeters and adopting a spacious new design cabin, the New Sambar has better loading capability and riding comfort than before. Moreover, through adopting a low step and wider door opening area, it was easier for driver and passengers to board and alight. The fuel tank capacity was expanded from 20 liters to 23 liters, the largest in the light truck class at that time, and the vehicle was able to travel 500 kilometers on a full tank.

In 1970, the modified “Baban” Sambar went on sale. While continuing the riding comfort and user friendliness of its forerunners, this model was mounted with a high-performance engine and semi-trailing arm rear suspension, resulting in far better driving performance. Moreover, the triangular windows were abolished and rear-opening doors were adopted with a view to enhancing functionality and safety. The truck rear deck was also improved for better loading performance, and a semi-opening locking device was adopted on the rear gate. The New Sambar series that went on sale in March 1971 had a revamped front design. A color-differentiated grille was placed around the ventilation, giving a bolder design than before. Moreover, ventilation outlets were added to the doors to ensure that fresh air flowed constantly inside the cabin. The Sambar Panel Van and the Sambar Light Van SDX were on sale in July and September of that year respectively. The “Strong” Sambar series that went on sale in February 1972 adopted a large front grille and bold front face design, and a side grille equipped with winker was added to the airflow ventilation outlets at the top of the doors. Moreover, suspension was further reinforced in order to better cope with tough driving and loading conditions. Furthermore, the letter “H” was added as a mark to trucks (flat) fitted with reinforced torsion bar and oil damper.

On June 18, 1994, having undergone a full model change, the new Domingo series went on sale (it had gone on advanced sale in Europe in the autumn of 1993). Retaining the unique concept of seven-person capacity in a compact body, the new Domingo had greatly improved fittings, running performance and safety, etc. The new exterior was a cubic form with good space efficiency. Thanks to the broad glass area and open feel, visibility and safety were also greatly improved. The front edge of the chassis with rigid frame was reinforced in a Y shape, and steps were incorporated to soften the shock in the event of collision.

Not only could the interior comfortably accommodate seven people, but luggage space was also secured behind the third seat. All the multifunction seats could be adjusted so that 11 different seating arrangements could be secured. Moreover, the Domingo was the only small one-box wagon to have right and left sliding doors at the time. In addition to the conventional five-speed M/T, ECVT was added to the 4WD transmission. Also, the viscous full-time 4WD system was newly adopted at this time. As the grade variations of the new Domingo, the full-time 4WD comprised GV (ECVT/5MT) and GV sun-sunroof (ECVT/5MT), and 2WD models comprised the CV (5MT) and CV-B (5MT).

In April 1996, the Domingo Aladdin, which had a lift-up roof that contained a loft when lifted, was released. Measuring 200 centimeters long, 84 centimeters wide, 50 centimeters high, the loft could be used as a sleeping space big enough to accommodate one adult and one child. The Aladdin Camper had a galley fitted with electric pump shower, portable gas stove, folding side table, blind curtains and interior power socket as standard equipments.  

Domingo４WD GV Sun-Sunroof

Size: Length 3,525 mm x Width 1,415 mm x Height 1,925 mm 
Wheelbase: 1,885 mm 
Tread: (Front) 1,205 mm (Rear) 1,210 mm 
Min. ground clearance: 195 mm 
Vehicle weight: 1,090 kg
Riding capacity: Seven persons

Engine: EF12
Model: Water-cooled four-cycle, OHC in-line three-cylinder 
Displacement: 1,189 cc
Max. output: 61PS/5,600 rpm
Max. torque: 9.8 kg·m/3,600 rpm

Suspension
Front: MacPherson strut independent suspension 
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension

Domingo Aladdin Camper Fulltime 4WD

Size: Length 3,525 mm x Width 1,415 mm x Height 1,995 mm 
Wheelbase: 1,885 mm 
Tread: (Front) 1,205 mm (Rear) 1,210 mm 
Min. ground clearance: 195 mm 
Vehicle weight: 1,150 kg 
Riding capacity: Six persons

Engine: EF12
Model: Water-cooled four-cycle, OHC in-line three-cylinder 
Displacement: 1189 cc
Max. output: 61PS/5,600 rpm
Max. torque: 9.8 kg·m/3,600 rpm

Suspension 
Front: MacPherson strut independent suspension 
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension

At that time, the Sambar had the lowest floor and widest rear deck of any light truck, and it was an RR vehicle, i.e. it had rear-drive and was equipped with an air-cooled two-cycle two-cylinder 360 cc engine at the rear. Thanks to the rear engine mounting, it had good load balance between loaded and unloaded times, and its independent suspension system (the same as that in the Subaru 360) gave it excellent driving comfort. In terms of safety too, the Sambar was designed with the driver’s seat separated from the bumper as far as possible with a view to improving collision safety. The three main features of the first generation Sambar, i.e. RR drive, four-wheel independent suspension, and cabover style, were continued for 50 years until the end of Subaru production in 2012. (Since 2012, the Sambar is supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. based on the OEM system, and Subaru continues to retail it today).

The “Sambar” name is derived from the deer that is native to Southern China and India, and it was chosen in order to evoke an image of “running lightly.”

The first generation Sambar truck went on sale in February 1961, four months after its launch. In September that year, the four-person Sambar Light Van, which could serve as both a business and a leisure vehicle, additionally went on sale. In March 1962, a four-door light van with an added rear gate, was added to the conventional three-door model (two doors at the front and one on the left side). This model underwent subsequent improvements to detailed parts every year until it was discontinued in 1965.

First generation Sambar Light Van (December 1961)

Size: Length 2,990 mm x Width 1,300 mm x Height 1,520 mm
Wheelbase: 1,670 mm
Tread: (Front) 1,130 mm (Rear) 1,070 m
Min. ground clearance: 195 mm
Vehicle weight: 470 kg
Riding capacity: Four persons

Engine: EK32
Model: Air-cooled two-cycle, in-line two-cylinder
Displacement: 356 cc
Max. output: 18PS/4,700 rpm
Max. torque: 3.2 kg•m/3,200 rpm
Suspension
Front: Trailing arm independent suspension
Rear: Swing axle independent suspension

Released on October 3, 1983, the Subaru Domingo was developed as a new category of multipurpose 1-liter wagon endowed with the usability and economy not available in existing small one-box cars, the high performance and seven-person capacity not provided by light cab wagons, and front turning opposite-facing seats, which was a first in Japan at the time.

The new design EF10 engine was a 997 cc in-line three-cylinder four-cycle OHC. Light and compact, this high-performance engine struck a balance between excellent fuel economy, flexible running characteristics and outstanding quietness. The engine was mounted in the rear, and there were two variations on the drive system, i.e. RR and part-time 4WD. Suspension was the MacPherson strut independent suspension (coil spring) on the front, while semi-trailing arm independent suspension (coil spring) 4WD independent suspension was adopted on the rear, thereby giving operating stability with a good balance between linearity, stability and running performance on rough roads, etc. Driving stability was further enhanced through the adoption of 12 inch radial tires (excluding 2WD CF). In particular, the 4WD model adopted all-season tires, guaranteeing sufficient performance on snowy roads and in other poor conditions. At the time of release, 2WD models comprised the CF, CS, CS-S and CS-S with sunroof, while 4WD models comprised the GF, GS, GS-S and GS-S with sunroof.

Incidentally, the name Domingo is derived from the Spanish word for “Sunday,” and it was chosen in the hope that people could “get a Sunday feeling any time” when they drove the car.

A model mounted with the newly developed 1.2 liter engine was added to the Domingo lineup in June 1986. The 1.2 liter engine, for use in 4WD models, was graded into three classes, i.e. GS, GS-S and GS-S with sunroof and Sun-sun window. The 1.0 liter engine, for use in 2WD models, was graded into four classes, i.e. CF, CS, CS-S and CS-S with sunroof and sun-sun window. Thus the variety of models was further enhanced. In addition, the “Sun-sun window” model, which added glass areas to both sides of the large-size sunroof, was adopted at this time too, giving a sense of openness. Moreover, the full-time 4WD model GX went on sale in August this year. Through combining Subaru’s unique free-running full-time 4WD system into the 1.2 liter OHC engine, the GX enabled simpler and safer 4WD driving. In October 1992, a model equipped with twin air conditioner and cassette stereo was added and high-mount stop lamps were added to all models.

Size: Length 3,410 mm x Width 1,430 mm x Height 1,900 mm 
Wheelbase: 1,805 mm 
Tread: (Front) 1,210 mm (Rear) 1,210 mm 
Min. ground clearance: 205 mm 
Vehicle weight: 900 kg 
Riding capacity: Seven persons

Engine: EF10
Model: Water-cooled four-cycle, OHC in-line three-cylinder 
Displacement: 997 cc
Max. output: 56PS/5,400 rpm
Max. torque: 8.5 kg·m/3,200 rpm

Suspension
Front: MacPherson strut independent suspension 
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension

Size: Length 3,425 mm x Width 1,430 mm x Height 1,900 mm 
Wheelbase: 1,805 mm 
Tread: (Front) 1,210 mm (Rear) 1,210 mm 
Min. ground clearance: 205 mm 
Vehicle weight: 940 kg 
Riding capacity: Seven persons

Engine: EF12
Model: Water-cooled four-cycle, OHC in-line three-cylinder 
Displacement: 1,189 cc
Max. output: 52PS/4,800 rpm
Max. torque: 9.7 kg·m/3,200 rpm

Suspension 
Front: MacPherson strut independent suspension 
Rear: Semi-trailing arm independent suspension

“The main points in body design are expanded interior space and long life” 
Shigeo Nomura (No. 1 Design Section, No. 1 Body Engineering Department, Subaru Engineering Headquarters)

The primary question was whether to adopt front-wheel (FF) or rear-wheel (RR) drive. Everybody (including four or five project team members from the body engineering department) has a vague idea about what the merits and problems of adopting FF in light cars are, and that is precisely why we had to manufacture preliminary test vehicles (trolleys) and so forth. We are prone to think that since we understand RR, the same things will apply to FF, or that because we are working on compact cars, there are not likely to be any major troubles, however, in reality that isn’t the case at all. That is why we ironed out each detail using the trolleys.

The most important point in body design is securing larger interior space. The vehicle size is prescribed to start with, but the challenge lies in creating as much space and incorporating as many functions as possible into this frame. Naturally we need to limit the size of the engine room, but at the same time we need to make it easy to conduct maintenance so that the vehicle can be kept in optimum condition. We need to look at various issues such as the layout of auxiliary devices and so on. We advance the work while placing various dummy parts in various positions and performing actual operation.

If we enlarge the interior space, we naturally need to expand openings while also retaining the strength of the body. Although we gain a general idea from calculations, we still need to conduct tests using actual vehicles in order to obtain optimum values in the actual vehicle.

We decided to adopt high-tension steel plate ultimately out of the desire to keep weight down. Although this entailed higher unit rates, we thought the merits outweighed the demerits. We have adopted high-tension steel plates on 44% of the entire body and also on the bumpers. We finalized the specifications through many dedicated test bodies with various specs.

In this model, the area of glass has been increased by 30%, however, put simply, the glass has become heavier. Moreover, because body openings have been expanded in size, we have had to take special steps on joints and so on in order to sustain strength, for example, the pillar terminal connections and so on.

Another issue that arises with strength in body design is vibration. We conducted countless tests on how to deal with engine vibration and suspension vibration in order to secure greater quietness.

We also had to concretely actualize the basic concept of long life. Taking the example of rust prevention, when designing the body structure, we need to ensure that electrodeposited liquid was evenly distributed over the entire body. The liquid cannot move around unless air is removed from the frame and pillars. Even so, if the distribution of electrodeposited liquid is inadequate, we need to adopt zinc-treated materials, i.e. rustproof steel plate. Also, a feature of the new Rex is that we have adopted a vinyl chloride undercoat in the side sill. This is the first time we have treated up to the side sill in a light car. (Remainder is abbreviated)

Size: Length 2,990 mm x Width 1,300 mm x Height 1,520 mm
Wheelbase: 1,670 mm
Tread: (Front) 1,130 mm (Rear) 1,070 mm
Min. ground clearance: 185 mm
Vehicle weight: 395 kg
Riding capacity: Two persons

Engine: EK32
Model: Air-cooled two-cycle, in-line two-cylinder
Displacement: 356 cc
Max. output: 18PS/4,700 rpm
Max. torque: 3.2 kg•m/3,200 rpm
Suspension
Front: Trailing arm independent suspension
Rear: Swing axle independent suspension

This era was characterized by the oil shocks and rapidly growing interest in fuel economy and exhaust gases, as evidenced by the adoption of exhaust gas controls and so on. Reflecting these trends, the economy of the Rex enabled by its simplicity and compact size was expressed using the term “chibi-cology” (literally mini-ecology) and was appealing to customers. Here, we introduce an unusual “counting song” that helps evoke the feeling of the age. This “Subaru fuel saving counting song” was first printed on the back cover of the Rex catalog that was issued in February 1974. Still valid today, it expresses the secret of fuel saving driving with easy to remember phrases.