Japan vs UK — 1958 vs 1959
| 360 Deluxe | P50 P50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 16 hp | 4 hp |
| Torque | 18 lb-ft | 3 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 356 cc | 49 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 0.0 sec | 0.0 sec |
| Top Speed | 62 mph | 38 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 0.0 sec | 0.0 sec |
| Wheelbase | 1,800 mm | 1,270 mm |
| Length | 2,990 mm | 1,340 mm |
| Units Produced | 392,000 | 50 |
| Value (Excellent) | $25,000 | $175,000 |
| Collectibility | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Rarity | 7/10 | 10/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe brings more power, higher top speed, better value to the table, and the 1959 Peel P50 P50 answers with quicker acceleration, greater rarity. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
The rivalry between Japan and UK automotive industries has produced legendary matchups, and the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe versus 1959 Peel P50 P50 is among the most fascinating. These two cars represent the best of their national engineering schools. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe producing 16 hp and the 1959 Peel P50 P50 delivering 4 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Subaru 360 uses a Flat-2 2-stroke displacing 356 cc, while the Peel P50 relies on a Single-cylinder 2-stroke with 49 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1959 Peel P50 P50 edges ahead at 0.0 seconds versus 0.0 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 50 units built, the 1959 Peel P50 P50 is considerably scarcer than the Subaru 360's 392,000 examples. On the collector market, the 1959 Peel P50 P50 commands a significant premium over the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe, reflecting differences in prestige and rarity.