Is This The Greatest Piece Of Automotive Advertising Ever?

"Jonee" (Jonee) 06/28/2016 at 14:53 • Filed to: Subaru 360

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When Malcolm Bricklin started importing !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in 1968, he decided on an unusual advertising campaign. The slogan was “Cheap and Ugly Does It” inspired, no doubt, by Volkswagen’s “Lemon” ads.

And, as part of that campaign, they produced the completely bizarre spec sheet shown above. On the front is that composite picture showing a 360 in what looks like a fishtank. The photo has a lenticular 3D effect which is really rad, but I have no idea how it was supposed to sell cars. The 360, despite all its charms, does not work as a submersible. On the back side was a list of the car’s amazing specifications like the 51 mph cruising speed, and incredible 25.4 ft. lbs. of torque.

I’m not sure how many of these they printed as they’re really hard to find. Mine looks like it was actually stored in a fishtank, but it hangs proudly on my wall as one of the stranger pieces of automobilia ever made.

The lenticular surface also makes it hard to digitally photograph or scan.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 15:10

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I still very badly want a 360 van.

Jonee > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 06/28/2016 at 15:19

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They’re awesome little things. I’ve had a few sedans, but I’ve never actually owned a van. One day, I hope.

Spridget > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 15:40

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Citroen had some great stuff.

RallyWrench > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 15:44

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How do you know it doesn’t work as a submersible?

That is certainly up there as one of the weirdest ad campaigns I’ve seen, it looks oddly at home in an aquatic environment.

Also, on an unrelated note, Jobjoris thought you might want to know about this car which belongs to a client. He made mention of the Rometsch 4-door Beetle in an excellent LALD post this morning, so I thought it fitting to bring this up:

Laurence > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 16:05

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This makes me wonder if that underwater press photo is where the rumours that unsold 360s were dumped in the sea came from...

Jonee > Laurence 06/28/2016 at 17:02

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Good point. Maybe this is an actual post-dump photo.

Jonee > RallyWrench 06/28/2016 at 17:57

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Oh, trust me. I know. I’ve had my share of (mis)adventures in Subaru 360's.

That’s awesome. I love those cars. Where is that photo taken? Does that car live in Southern California? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in person.

RallyWrench > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 19:31

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It lives here in San Luis Obispo. We have an annual European car show coming up July 10th which this car usually attends, I took that picture there.

Jonee > RallyWrench 06/28/2016 at 20:00

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Oh, cool. I forgot that’s where you were. I’m going to be out of town that weekend, unfortunately, or I’d drive up from L.A. for that. Maybe next year I can make the trip in the Le Car.

RallyWrench > Jonee 06/28/2016 at 20:14

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The show definitely lacks French content, that’d be great!

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/29/2016 at 04:10

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Haha, and there I was thinking the Broccolis had an amazing idea for the Lotus in the Spy who loved me : they just were in the market for on of these in the ‘60's!!!

66 Mpg: My Volvo uses less!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/30/2016 at 02:58

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Yup, Subaru of America thought of it first.

Your Volvo gets better than 66 mpg? How is that possible? The Subaru 360 didn’t even get 66 mpg. Maybe at idle with someone pushing it. That’s why it says “up to.”

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/30/2016 at 05:02

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Of course it does. It’s European! We’re not addicted to oil!

There it is, 3.2 l/100km. That’s better than 66Mpg, right? I use some electra to get there ;-)

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/01/2016 at 02:23

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Oh, I didn’t realize it had electric assist. That is impressive. The T5 isn’t quite that good. The Le Car must get in the high 30's. It sips gas.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/01/2016 at 04:50

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Using the diesel alone it’s not economic either. Our T5 is terrible, we barely get it under 10liter/100kms.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/03/2016 at 02:04

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It’s worth it, though. I really enjoy driving that car.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/03/2016 at 05:10

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I finally changed the winter tires for the 18" summer ones on my V60. That’s a way better drive now. The V50 T5 still has it’s winter ones. What’s wrong with the weather?

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/04/2016 at 23:26

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Are those bigger than the winter ones?

I don’t know. What is wrong with the weather? It’s quite pleasant here.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/05/2016 at 02:12

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Yeah, the winter ones are on the standard 17". And the difference in handling is a huge one.

Well, if you still can drive around on wintertires in July something definitely is wrong. Tomorrow it’s getting better. So it seems.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/06/2016 at 02:18

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I have 17's, but apparently that’s more ideal with the sport suspension in mine. I’m not sure why. Maybe more air mitigates the stiffness.

They were saying this is record rainfall. I guess it’ll dry up in August, but it almost doesn’t seem worth it at this point to put the summers on.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/06/2016 at 06:25

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On the V60 the 18's are fine. The 18" on the V50 with sport suspension definitely is harsh. But you need that suspension on the AWD as it’s way up too high on it’s feet otherwise.

It definitely was. A cousin of mine’s foundation of his house was severely damaged due to the heavy rain. We do live in a 3rd world country nowadays...

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/07/2016 at 02:22

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Wow. And it’s not like you don’t get rain, so for it to be a record is really something. Where I am, if it rains for more than 8 hours it’s a record. Isn’t your country used to handling water?

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/07/2016 at 04:39

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Yeah, we’re used to the threats of the salty seawaters and fresh river waters after heavy rainfall. The rains as heavy as lately them selves never was this bad. Really. And... As more and more concrete appears everywhere the water simply can’t get away that easily anymore.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/07/2016 at 15:13

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Yeah, that’s a big problem when the water has nowhere to go. Since we rarely get heavy rain, it floods whenever we do and so we have a lot of flood channels and whatever so the water has a place to go. But, the rest of the year those things fill with leaves and other crud which can cause a problem if they get blocked. I don't know why they can't fix it so it just rains on a regular schedule. I mean we put a man on the moon.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/07/2016 at 16:36

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Haha... Or... Did we? I heard Stanley Kubrick’s daughter explained again her dad wasn’t responsible for hoaxing that landing today or yesterday.

Handy Smurf had a solution for that weather though. It caused all other issues amongst the Smurfs though...

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/17/2016 at 20:51

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His daughter was just talking about this again? They made a comedy about that urban legend a year or so ago, but it got horrible reviews. I think that redhead kid from the Harry Potter movies was in it.

I can only imagine. Do Handy’s inventions ever come without collateral damage?

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/18/2016 at 12:24

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Yes, I read it in a newspaper about two weeks ago. Here it is: 6th of July 2016 .

I’m not sure who’s creating more collateral damage: Handy or Papa. Papa Smurf often requests solutions at Handy’s.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/18/2016 at 23:42

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Ah, funny. He was so into science, he never would have contributed to that kind of sham, like she says. I love that rocket ship sweater that kid wears in The Shining they have in that picture. I have to find someone to knit me one of those.

Good point. Someone should tell Papa the old, “Fool me once...” cliché. If he’s so wise, how he has not learned his lesson? Or, maybe, he keeps giving Handy a chance to boost his confidence.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/19/2016 at 16:14

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Think about the best lubricant in the world to make people do things they loath and all seems not that ridiculous anymore... And for that knitting queen just walk into a retirement home: lots of elderly women with nothing but time on their hands and the right skills!

Could be some coaching-idea of papa, sharp! Or Papa knows all his adventures are shot on film anyway and all those horrible things happening and eventually solving is a great way to teach French/Belgian kids about right and wrong. At one point in my life I was convinced all of the world and universe was just a big dream from “some guy”. I was drinking a lot back then.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/21/2016 at 00:15

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I suppose it would be the ultimate challenge for a filmmaker. Someone said that they hired him to do it, but being Kubrick, he insisted on shooting it on location.

Scientists have said that it's more likely that we’re all living in a computer simulation than this being real. So, maybe you’re right. As a kid, I imagined I was being filmed all the time for a t.v. show like that movie.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/21/2016 at 16:31

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I HAD THE EXACT SAME IDEA AS A KID!!!! Seriously. I always looked for cameras when going to the bathroom.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/22/2016 at 01:44

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I think that’s a common childhood fantasy for some reason. It might have something to do with brain development and the ego, or something. I would imagine how everyone knew when I was around who I was, being the star of the show and all. Sometimes I’d even address the audience.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/22/2016 at 15:52

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Is that a fact? About it being common? Never knew. I was so flabbergasted when that movie with Jim Carrey came out. Another one of him I sort of enjoyed.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/23/2016 at 02:09

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I think it is because I’ve heard other people talk about it. I don’t know if there’s a name for it, or how documented it is. Another subject to research. That is one of the better Jim Carrey movies. Maybe even the best. Dumb and Dumber and the first Ace Ventura make me laugh, but they’re not my favorite comedies by any means. I was never an Eternal Sunshine... fan.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/23/2016 at 15:17

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Eternal Sunshine definitely showed the world Jim Carrey was more then just a comic. Loved him in the Dead Pool as well. Dumb and Dumber was amazing. Love Ace Ventura. Best comic of him was the Cable Guy though...

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/24/2016 at 22:27

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Yeah, he’s quite good in Eternal Sunshine . I’ve just always found the movie overrated. Oh, yeah. Cable Guy is great. That might be the best one, you’re right. I don’t remember Dead Pool . One of my teachers from film school wrote Liar Liar which is my father’s least favorite movie ever. Built the guy a house, though, and he was a pretty good writing teacher.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/25/2016 at 15:25

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Of course you know the Dead Pool ! The last Dirty Harry was called that way! I’m with you on the Eternal Sunshine I think. It’s just that Jim played a that surprising character that it’s watchable, I could do without though. Liar Liar is so over the top. I could watch it again and have a good time, it definitely is on par with Jim’s facial expressions going nuts.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/26/2016 at 00:19

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Oh, that Dead Pool ? I didn’t know he was in that. Who did he play? I actually probably haven’t seen that one since it was first on cable in the 80's. I should watch it again. I’ve been looking for a good movie from then to watch.

Yeah, he could have done The Mask without the makeup. That’s another movie I’m not a fan of.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/26/2016 at 05:36

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He played the killed drug using rock singer. Singing a song from Guns’n Roses .

The mask I liked the first time I saw it. But it’s a film you never watch again. Or start disliking it.

Loved the dog in it. And it was the movie that gave us Cameron Diaz!

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/26/2016 at 23:08

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Ooooh. Interesting. I never realized that was him, I guess.

Well, God bless it for giving us Cameron Diaz at least. She looked incredible in that movie. I can’t remember the last time I liked a movie with her, but I always like her.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/27/2016 at 16:28

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Another reason to watch it! I’ll wait for the update.

It actually is her best movie. If you look at her at least, she never looked better. Not a fan. Maybe that one with Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon.

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/28/2016 at 01:07

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She’s always so bubbly. I kind of like that first Charlie’s Angels movie. Not too many other good ones, though. There’s Something About Mary , and she’s great in Being John Malkovich .

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/28/2016 at 14:00

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There’s something about Mary , that’s it. Great movie. Can’t remember her for being in Being J.M. but that’s probably a good thing. At least she didn’t bother me. She probably wasn’t that bubbly in it, right?

Jonee > Jobjoris 07/29/2016 at 00:39

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Well, she had moments of bubbliness. But, then John Cusack locks her in the dog cage. Or, maybe it was a chimpanzee. Her hair was as crazy as she was.

Jobjoris > Jonee 07/31/2016 at 06:39

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Haha, now I remember!

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/02/2016 at 00:19

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You know, I kind of also liked that Bad Teacher movie she did. It’s no classic, but it was quite funny on a plane.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/02/2016 at 04:09

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Haha, I saw that one on a plane as well! But I actually don’t remember a lot of it either. Somehow the Sweetest Thing keeps on poppin’ up in my mind...

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/02/2016 at 23:01

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Some movies are just perfect for planes. I was thinking it might be good to start an airline where you don’t actually go anywhere, you just fly around and watch a movie.

The Sweetest Thing is a movie I like to hate watch when it comes on t.v. It annoys the hell out of me, but I can’t look away. It has every romantic comedy chiché in the book, one after the other.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/03/2016 at 04:11

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And I’m sure you already came up with a name for this new airline! Tell me! Maybe, to cut costs, don’t even start flying! Just park some planes.

Hahaha. Totally! And such a reminder that no matter how independent a woman acts: THEY NEVER TRULY ARE. Hahaha.

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/04/2016 at 01:26

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I think I did have a name for that venture, but I can’t remember what it was called. I have another idea for Funeral Clowns where you hire clowns to come to a funeral and pop out of a coffin and tell jokes about the deceased. I think that could catch on. Parked planes would take part of the fun out of it, but it would certainly save on jet fuel.

Exactly. All they cared about was boys. Most women are serial monogamists, though.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/04/2016 at 09:37

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That Funeral Clown idea is even more epic. That would totally work over here. You can still make the plane move a bit wobbly to simulate turbulence?

What woman gave you that idea???? They totally are up until some blue-eyed god (or whatever fetish/preference they have) walks by, believe me.

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/05/2016 at 00:09

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How? With a bunch of people shaking it? We could also have them run by underneath holding tiny plants and toy cars to make it seem like you were flying over the countryside.

Well, that’s what I mean about serial monogamists. They go from one to the other.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/05/2016 at 05:09

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Why do you always want people to do the work and get the least cost-effective solution? Love that tiny cars/plants idea. Maybe we’d just have to situate our “plane” on top of Madurodam!

Oh, hhahaha, now I get it. TOTALLY!

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/06/2016 at 03:00

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Well, we could just stick VR helmets on their heads, but I’m trying to make it as authentic as possible. Can we put the Madurodam on a huge treadmill so it seems like we’re moving?

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/06/2016 at 06:39

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Wouldn’t it be easier to engineer the plane being the moving part?

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/08/2016 at 22:31

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Isn't that what I said at the beginning? Just fly the damn thing.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/09/2016 at 02:41

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I understand that for you, experiencing the world in a high-maintenance, non-Polestar C30 everything seems to be flown by. But moving isn’t flying per se!

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/09/2016 at 02:54

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Haha. I’m not sure you’d have enough room to keep moving for the length of an entire movie.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/09/2016 at 04:07

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Or manpower...

Jonee > Jobjoris 08/10/2016 at 02:40

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I think we could mechanize that part. We just need people for simulating turbulence.

Jobjoris > Jonee 08/10/2016 at 04:49

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Then better prevent your future leader to build that Mexican wall!