The Fuji Rabbit was the first scooter built in Japan after World War II. Some variants would remain in production from 1946 to 1968, serving as a competitor to the better-known Italian Vespa. This Superflow was considered a top-of-the-line model back in the day and came out of a private collection where it had been sitting for a long time. The 200-cc engine will need some coaxing to get running again, and the scooter has a few minor scrapes and scratches. Located in Lutz, Florida, this Japanese scooter is available here on eBay where the current bid is $1,100.

Fuji brought the Rabbit to market a few months before Piaggio did the Vespa in 1946. It was built by Fuji Heavy Industries which would be later known as Subaru Corp. It was the first-ever product of its type manufactured in Japan and its success helped put Japanese industry back on the map. These were not “mopeds” and could reach speeds up to 60 mph with an automatic transmission (known today as CVT). Production of Fuji scooters would wind down in the 1960s as the buying public became more interested in 4-wheel transportation. They were imported to the USA by none other than Malcolm Bricklin, who also brought us the gullwing car bearing his name and the little Yugo (2 out of 3 ain’t bad!).

The Superflow, like the seller’s offering, is considered one of the best scooters built in Japan (at least during its time). It came in flashy colors, used a liberal amount of chrome, had full instrumentation, air suspension, and an electric start (in addition to the left side kick-start).  The Superflow was fitted with a 200-cc, single-cylinder engine that would deliver 11 hp. It was built from 1962 to 1967 and estimates are that 75,000 were assembled and you could buy one new in the U.S. for about $500.

With just under 10,000 miles, this ’66 Superflow has spent many years in a private collection. Everything (like paint) appears to be original, though it has a few little dings and scratches. The previous owner retained some cool paperwork like the owner’s manual from the 1960s. The engine spins over when you try to start it, but it won’t quite catch and that’s as far as the seller has gone to get it running again. Someone with a background in these cool little machines should be able to sort it out. Or you could keep it as a display piece for some related business. You still see vintage Vespas running around, but seldom a Fuji Rabbit like this one.