Lovely little Figaro that has been in the UK for 18 years
New MOT on sale
Recent head gasket and top end rebuild
Bare metal respray in late 2010s
THE APPEAL
Built to cash in on the classic car boom that hit Japan in the early 1990s, the Nissan Figaro was one of four cars to come from the company’s ‘Pike Factory’ where it developed three retro-styled production cars that would go on to achieve cult status.
The other three were the Pao, the S-Cargo van and the Be-1, but it was the two-door Figaro that won the most hearts. So much so that after the initial production run of 2,000 cars were built in 1991, Nissan had to commission a second run of them. A cutesy two-door drop-top coupé with unashamedly Fifties styling, the Figaro looked like something that Betty Boop would drive.
Yet under the curvy exterior it was essentially a turbocharged Micra – and that’s no bad thing as it means it’s both cheap to run and easy to maintain.
This one was imported in 2005 from Japan and has had four previous owners, the most recent being the vendor’s mum who has owned it since 2020. But she now needs a slightly taller car to get in and out of, so the Figaro is reluctantly for sale.
It’s a mechanically sound car, with the vendor having carried out a full top end rebuild ad head gasket replacement about 1,000 miles ago. The vendor also states that there are some knocks and bangs from worn bushes. A7406818.jpg637.93 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
One of the original batch of 2,000 Figaros built in 1991
Registered in the UK in July 2005
New MOT to be provided on sale
All original books and documents
Substantial service history, comes with a file of invoices and receipts documenting recent and past expenditure
The Figaro’s interior is a work of art – finished in retro ivory with delicate chrome details, it looks like a 1950s classic, which was Nissan’s intention
Thin-rimmed ivory steering wheel
Original Figaro head unit with cassette and single-slot CD player
Delicately styled secondary control with art deco finish
The leather seats are all in fine order with no major damage
Boot and spare wheel storage are in good order with no notable issues
New head gasket and top end rebuild in last 1,000 miles
New radiator
New plugs, leads and distributor
Gearbox service
Pressure tested and in great order, with strong performance and a steady temperature
Reported by the vendor to be excellent mechanically and to drive very well indeed, with no issues with the suspension, steering or brakes other than some slight knocking from front bushes
The Figaro is a cool, cult classic and this is a sound and mechanically wells-sorted example that only needs a few bits of minor detailing to bring it up to superb condition. As it stands, it’s a really straight, sound and charming example that’s ready to use and enjoy, with the reassurance that the engine and transmission are in tip-top condition and the body is structurally sound.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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