The Nissan Figaro was a limited edition sports style coupe that was only available in Japan in 1991. designed to look like a British 1950s sports car, the retro 2 door is covered in chrome and has gained a cult following. The Figaro was based on Nissan Micra mechanicals and produced in Yokohama’s pike factory.

Nissan Figaro

Only 20000 Figaro’s were built, it was so sort after when it was released you had to go into a lottery to have a chance of buying one. Second hand Figero’s have made their way to Europe New Zealand and Australia and are starting to enjoy as much popularity as the more well known Scargo that was built at the same factory using the same concept of a specialist low volume production car based on the Nissan Micra.

There were 4 pike cars altogether starting with the Mini inspired Be-1, the jeep/mini crossover the Pao, the Citroen 2cv inspired Scargo and finally the Figaro. Designed by Shoji Takahashi he was quoted that the inspiration of the pike cars came from the swatch watch, where you can make a limited highly fashionable car based around the same mechanicals.

Powered by a 1 litre turbo the Figaro came with air conditioning, power steering, power windows, fold down roof and a retro bakelite style CD cassette player. The Figaro was only available in an automatic, it was sold in four pastel colors all with a white roof, the majority of new Figaro owners were young Japanese woman who always crave the latest fashion accessory.