The Subaru 1000 was the first front wheel drive Subaru produced by Fuji Heavy Industries starting in 1966. It is sometimes claimed to be Japan's first mass produced front wheel drive car, although Suzuki had been producing the front wheel drive Suzulight in small quantities since 1955. Previous Subaru models such as the Subaru 360 and the Sambar had been rear engined, rear wheel drive cars.

It was the first production Subaru to use a boxer engine.

In 1960, Subaru management decided to introduce a successor to the prototype Subaru 1500 with a new code name "A-5" with a four cycle air cooled horizontally opposed four cylinder engine displacing 1500 cc, driving the front wheels in a compact car platform. It was to have a double wishbone front suspension. Due to FHI's limited resources, the car wasn't produced. The Subaru 360 was selling at the time but Subaru wanted a car that could comfortably carry four passengers without a cramped compartment, that would appear to be an alternative to the Corolla and the Sunny. Subaru also wanted to reduce engine noise by placing the engine up front and improve interior space by implementing front wheel drive, thereby eliminating a centrally mounted drive shaft powering the rear wheels, and utilizing an independent suspension at all four wheels.

The Subaru 1000 was formally introduced on October 21 1965 at the Hilton Hotel Tokyo, now known as the Hotel Tokyu Capitol. It was shown at the 12th Tokyo Motor Show Sunday October 29 later that year. It was available for purchase May 14 1966 with a national release in Japan in October 1966. Its model code was A522. The 2-door sedan, model A512 was introduced February 15 1967, with a 4-door van released September 14 1967.

Production: 1966–1969
Predecessor: Subaru 1500
Successor: Subaru Leone
Body style: 2-door sedan
Body style: 4-door sedan
Body style: 2- and 4-door station wagon
Layout: FF layout
Engine: 977 cc F4, 55 hp (41 kW)
Wheelbase: 2,420 mm (95.3 in)
Length: 3,930 mm (154.7 in)
Width: 1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Height: 1,390 mm (54.7 in)[1]
Curb weight: 670–695 kg (1,500–1,500 lb)

Click image(s) to view a larger photo.