Subaru’s Iconic Boxer Engine Just Turned 50

It's time to blow out some candles, as Subaru's burbly boxer is celebrating its 50th anniversary

11 May 2016

Subaru’s Iconic Boxer Engine Just Turned 50

See that unassuming little saloon car above? It’s a Subaru 1000, and it went on sale on 14 May 1966. The reason why this is important? It was the first car from Fuji Heavy Industries to ever be powered by a horizontally-opposed engine, meaning the mighty Subaru boxer engine turns 50 this week.

Subaru itself jumped the gun by a few days by releasing a celebratory press release about the big birthday, but hey, we’d be keen to celebrate, too. Subaru says it’s sold 16 million cars with boxer engines over the last 50 years, during which time it’s gone from the humble 54bhp 1.0-litre in the 1000 to the 323bhp 2.5-litre version in the bonkers S207.

Sure, it’s maybe looking a little outdated and is not as efficient as its competitors, but we’ll always be fond of the burbly old so-and-so. Many happy returns, Subaru boxer.

Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! - From your biggest fan!

Thanks Subaru, making our lifes better with BRAPBRAP STUTU. Looking forward to the next 50 years

let us sing the subaru anthem BRAPBARPBRAPSTUTUTUTUTUTUTUTUUTUTUTBRAPBRAPBRAP

Happy birthday to this mad little 2.5 litre engine. Makes all the right noises and leaks like a b*tch but I still love it! Here’s to the hopeful next 50 years.