Fuji Rabbit
The Fuji Rabbit was a motor scooter produced in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries from 1946 through 1968.
Production
Production of the initial model, the S-1 began in 1946, some six months before the Vespa went into production[1] and was largely inspired by scooters used by American servicemen during and after World War II. Eventually the Fuji Rabbit scooters evolved into some of the most technologically sophisticated scooters of their era, featuring electric starters, automatic transmissions and pneumatic suspension systems. The Fuji Rabbit scooters were the first Japanese made scooters capable of reaching speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). The Rabbit's primary competitor was the Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon, which also started production around the same time as the Rabbit, and later in 1954 the Honda Juno.
As the Japanese economy expanded, the demand for scooters decreased in favor of more comfortable four wheel transport, and Fuji diversified into automobiles in 1958 with the introduction of the Subaru 360. The last Fuji scooter rolled off the production line in June 1968.
Featured in flims
Although not very well known outside of Japan, the Fuji Rabbit has earned itself a place in Japanese pop culture as a symbol of nostalgia. Fuji Rabbits have been featured in Japanese animated series such as FLCL and Paranoia Agent and are a favourite amongst collectors of scooters and motorcycles in Japan.
North America
In North America, the Fuji Rabbit is best known for starting Malcolm Bricklin's motor vehicle career. (Bricklin was later responsible for importing the Subaru 360 and the Yugo hatchback, as well as producing his own car, among other things). The main importer for North America was the American Rabbit Corporation.
References
- ^ "Fuji Rabbit Scooters History". Fujirabbit.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- "240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology - Rabbit Motor Scooter". Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
External links
