The Subaru 360 was selling only in Japan at the time but Subaru wanted a car that could comfortably carry four passengers without a cramped compartment, that was an alternative to rear wheel drive competitors Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sunny, Mazda Familia, Hino Contessa, Isuzu Bellett, and the Mitsubishi Colt 1000.

Its appearance is similar to the Citroën Ami sharing an unusual reverse-raked notchback rear window, similar in style to the 1959 Ford Anglia 105E in Great Britain, and turn signal lamps installed next to the rear window as well as an air cooled flat 4 engine.

These cars featured a unique water-cooled, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, with overhead valves operated by pushrods.

[13] The power increase was due to twin SU carburettors and a 10:1 compression ratio, while stopping and going was improved with the fitment of quicker steering, disc brakes in front, firmer suspension, and standard radial tires.

In reality, this is a station wagon with a folding rear seat to take advantage of Japanese tax loopholes.

The last addition to the lineup took place in November 1968 (with only four months' production left), when the Super Deluxe model was added.

By March 1969, monthly production of Subaru's alternative to the Toyota Corolla and the Nissan Sunny was up to over 4,000 units.

The larger-engined and facelifted FF-1 was introduced in Japan March 1, 1969, and was marketed as the Star in the United States in 1970 and 1971 model years.

This platform of sedans and wagons was discontinued by Subaru on September 1 1972, with sales continuing into 1973, alongside the new Leone.

The regular range started with the Deluxe and continued with the Custom (both with column shift) and the GL (with a floor shifter).

[16] In Japan, the wagon models were technically speaking commercial vehicles - sold as vans, with either three or five doors and typically less equipment than the sedan versions.

[17] The entire FF-1 range received a minor facelift in April 1971, in which the taillights were redesigned, as were the sheetmetal of the hood and trunk lid, which now had a small lip.

The 1000/FF-1, being Subaru's first "real" car, was released before the design was fully completed, leading to numerous ongoing changes during production, in response to input from dealers and owners.

The car carried over the 1100's independent torsion bar suspension and rack and pinion steering, inboard front drum brakes and dual radiators.

Achieving 29 miles per US gallon (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg‑imp), the Subaru quickly became a strong-selling import car in the United States.

In March 1971, two prototypes were used in testing a 4WD system using the station-wagon body style, borrowing a rear differential from a 510-series Nissan Bluebird.

On October 29, 1971, the Subaru 1300G was displayed next to a station wagon installed with 4WD, parked on top of a mirror so that visitors to the 18th Tokyo Motor Show could see the new drivetrain system.

Subaru manufactured eight wagons with the 4WD installed, of which Tohoku Electric purchased five and the remaining three were delivered to the Village of Hakuba for government use in Nagano Prefecture in agricultural applications.