Look at it, with its impossibly long overhangs, high roof and twin headlights. This Subaru Libero looks more endearing than tough, but secretly it is a real all-rounder.
Wait, Libero? Yes, that’s the name this model got in much of Europe. This white Subaru, which was brought to the Netherlands in 2004, is judged by the type designation of such a Libero, but it is not surprising if you know this model as E10, E12, E-Wagon, Combi, Sumo or Domingo.
By the way, it is not surprising at all if you do not know this model at all, although it did have a long career. The Libero, as we will call it from now on, was released in 1983 and lasted in its original form for ten years. It is in fact the export brother of the Japanese Subaru Sambar. That was a real kei-car, which means that Subaru had to adhere to strict rules for the Sambar regarding outer dimensions and engine capacity.
This was not necessary for other countries, so the European version got bigger bumpers and a monstrous three-cylinder petrol engine from the Justy. A prominent feature of the front bumper is the way the license plate is mounted, more or less on top of the bumper. Buyers could choose from a one liter and a 1.2. The ‘E12’ on the tailgate of this white copy suggests that this is the thickest version, but the RDW is of the opinion that a 52 hp strong one liter provides the drive here. Four-wheel drive seems to be present anyway, although in 1992 it was not yet Subaru’s famous permanent variant.
Judging from the photos, this white copy is in very good condition, although we do see some rust under a piece of missing fender widener. The car optically more than makes up for this shortcoming with its particularly time-correct striping, in which the term ‘4WD’ is proudly included. In any case, the car is not averse to a little beating on the chest, as evidenced by the undoubtedly quite exaggerated ‘Super de Luxe’ on the tailgate.