From February to March 1972, the first improved train with two sealed-beam head lamps each and with unitized side windows was made and put into production, out of which a total 109 new cars consisting of fifteen trains plus one spare set of four cars were put into operation at the Akashi Train Depot.
1972年2～3月にかけて、ヘッドライトのシールドビーム2灯化と側窓のユニットサッシ化が図られた1次改良車を15編成+予備4連×1本（計109両）を新製し、明石に投入した。