Fuji Rabbit The Fuji Rabbit was a motor scooter produced in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries from 1946 through 1968. The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (Japanese) rates the Fuji Rabbit S-1 model introduced in 1946 as one of their 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.[2]
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Production
Fuji Rabbit Junior in Chile
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. Motor scooters were so important to the post-war vehicle industry that In May 1948 both a Silver Pigeon and a Rabbit were presented to the Emperor of Japan.[1] Starting in 1954 the Rabbit also faced competition from the Honda Juno. As the Japanese economy expanded, the demand for scooters decreased in favor of more comfortable four Fuji Rabbit 150, showing a Shoshinsha beginner’s mark wheel transport, and Fuji diversified into automobiles in 1958 with the introduction of the Subaru 360. The last Production of the initial model, the S-1 began in 1946, Fuji scooter rolled off the production line in June 1968. some six months before the Vespa went into production[3] and was largely inspired by scooters used by American servicemen during and after World War II. As the first motor scooter manufactured in Japan, it was enor- 2 Featured in films mously successful and revolutionized the post-war vehicle industry.[2] Eventually the Fuji Rabbit scooters Although not very well known outside Japan, the Fuji evolved into some of the most technologically sophisti- Rabbit has earned itself a place in Japanese pop culture cated scooters of their era, featuring electric starters, au- as a symbol of nostalgia. Fuji Rabbits have been featured tomatic transmissions and pneumatic suspension systems. in Japanese animated series such as FLCL and Paranoia 1
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Agent and are a favourite amongst collectors of scooters and motorcycles in Japan.
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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.
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References
[1] “Silver Pigeon (Motor Scooter)". 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology. Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. Retrieved 12 August 2013. The Silver Pigeon and the Rabbit motor scooter manufactured by Fuji-Sangyo (now Fuji Heavy Industries Inc.) dominated the vehicle industry, and both became convenient means of transportation for ordinary people, who had lacked adequate transportation. [2] “Rabbit Motor Scooter”. 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology. Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2013. This scooter was manufactured right after World War II, using the U.S. Army airborne troops’ Powell motor scooter as its model. [3] “Fuji Rabbit Scooters History”. Fujirabbit.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
REFERENCES
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Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses
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Text
• Fuji Rabbit Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_Rabbit?oldid=700337582 Contributors: Choster, Davidcannon, Canterbury Tail, Brim, Dennis Bratland, Kallemax, Viva Chile, YurikBot, Gaius Cornelius, Willirennen, Bluebot, K-111, SamBlob, CmdrObot, Scooteristi, Thijs!bot, Chris Ssk, JaGa, Dispenser, Andy Dingley, Regushee, Quatro Valvole~enwiki, DumZiBoT, Addbot, The Sage of Stamford, Yobot, , Mcoupal, WhiteBook and Anonymous: 8
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Images
• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Fuji_Rabbit_Junior_Parque_Arauco_2009_(3).jpg Source: https://.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Fuji_ Rabbit_Junior_Parque_Arauco_2009_%283%29.jpg License: GFDL Contributors: Own work Original artist: Viva Chile • File:Fuji_Touring_150_01.jpg Source: https://.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Fuji_Touring_150_01.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as Fuji Touring 150 - This bike make it through the whole ride. (Fuji fans will know this is significant). Original artist: Eric
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Content license
• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0