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To understand the #SubaruVivio T-Top, we need to look back to the “bubble era” of Japan. The “baburu keiki” (バブル景気) put money in the pockets – and gave Japanese car manufacturers freedom to try things out. What was otherwise shown at the next motor show as a courageous experiment quickly gathered dust in the underground garages of the development departments – in Japan in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such things ran off the assembly line.

The Subaru Vivio T-Top

The #Subaru Vivio was initially the successor to the small car “Rex” in 1992 – not very exciting at first. In Europe, the Vivio played a rather minor role among the Japanese small cars. The M300 and RX, the sporty versions available in Japan, did not make it here. Especially not the Supercharger. And on the T-top? Not to be thought of. 1994 marked the 40th anniversary of Fuji Heavy Industries, the home of Subaru. The t-Top was sort of a birthday present – 3,000 have been made. And I wouldnt have said NO to it, because it’s utterly brilliant. The T-Top was a targa top combined with an electric retractable rear window. That was the „Multi Top“, as Subaru put it, and just as the Suzuki Cappucino I absolutely love this idea. With one T-Top you have a handfull of cars. Almost. What else to find?

Don’t know if you noticed this, but yes, it’s colorfull inside. Another funny aspect of it, you might hear the Suzuki X-90 roar in the background, but unlike the Suzuki the Sub was four seater. Although I’m not sure if any humans have been harmed testing them out. But if so, luggage would be no problem here, with a nice boot rack installed. That wasn’t even the end of it. After the release of T-TOP, another 1000 were available in an posher GX spec.

Subaru Vivio T-Top
Picture: https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/post/174761980153/subaru-vivio-t-top-1993-the-open-roof-version-of

In this japanese advert, you can see all the glory of the roof construction – just wait until the end. It’s awesome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6iXVpd2rhE

Benni Serious

The car nerds heaven!

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