East Germany vs Japan — 1959 vs 1958
| 601 S | 360 Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 26 hp | 16 hp |
| Torque | 40 lb-ft | 18 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 595 cc | 356 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 21.0 sec | 0.0 sec |
| Top Speed | 70 mph | 62 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 23.0 sec | 0.0 sec |
| Wheelbase | 2,020 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Length | 3,560 mm | 2,990 mm |
| Units Produced | 3,700,000 | 392,000 |
| Value (Excellent) | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Collectibility | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Rarity | 4/10 | 7/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1959 Trabant 601 S brings more power, higher top speed, better value to the table, and the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe 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 East Germany and Japan automotive industries has produced legendary matchups, and the 1959 Trabant 601 S versus 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe 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 1959 Trabant 601 S producing 26 hp and the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe delivering 16 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Trabant 601 uses a Inline-2 2-stroke displacing 595 cc, while the Subaru 360 relies on a Flat-2 2-stroke with 356 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe edges ahead at 0.0 seconds versus 21.0 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 392,000 units built, the 1958 Subaru 360 Deluxe is considerably scarcer than the Trabant 601's 3,700,000 examples.