While there are plenty of desirable vehicles that Nissan failed to offer to the United States market, it’s safe to say most enthusiasts won’t flock to the quirky Figaro subcompact car over more enticing models – even with a fairly limited production run of 20,073 units. However, this extensively modified 1992 Nissan Figaro that’s available here on eBay has a long list of upgrades that make this example worthy of consideration, even to the most diehard fans of Nissan performance vehicles.
This Figaro currently resides in Agoura Hills, California, but a Japanese-based shop known as Sugiyama Automotive modified the vehicle in its homeland. The vehicle arrived in the United States in August 2017, and it is currently registered in the United States with a 50-state transferrable title.
The exterior design pays tribute to a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, with features such as a one-off paint job, bumpers, side skirts, hood, and more. Other exterior upgrades include a Nismo front grille, HID projector headlamps, and a set of 17-inch Work Euroline wheels.
Inside the vehicle, the alterations continue – the seller claims the gauge cluster is the only original item inside the cockpit. There are beautiful Recaro bucket seats and door panels with matching upholstery, plus a Momo steering wheel and pedals. A leather top replaced the old dashboard, and various carbon fiber elements are found throughout the interior, while a red headliner and carpeting also add to the vibrant overall theme of this Nissan. Last but not least, there’s also an impressive aftermarket sound system.
Additionally, this Figaro features an air suspension setup, which allows the vehicle to go as low as possible at shows while retaining the ability to drive to and from them in comfort. The controls for the system replace the glove box, and the air tank rests behind the passenger seat in a glass panel.
Each Figaro left the factory with a turbocharged 1.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 3-speed automatic transmission, but this one features a naturally aspirated 1.3-liter engine with individual throttle bodies. The engine pairs to a 5-speed manual transmission to drive the front wheels, and it features improvements such as an upgraded cam, custom headers, a tuned ECU, an oil cooler, and a custom exhaust system.
With all of these changes, it should come as no shock that this Figaro made rounds in the Japanese show car world from 2015 to 2017, earning itself a Speedhunters feature and even winning Best in Show at one event. At the time of publication, bidding for this Nissan is at $9,255 with the reserve not met. Would you go for best in show in this Figaro?
Nice little car..tastefully done. But I’m sure that I wouldn’t be able to fit in it. I would love to drive it. Might look kinda Ratfinkish lol
That would seem to be a whole lotta car for the money.
Neat car!! The mods have definitely made a better car of it!! Bet it’s a blast to drive!! I’ve never owned a car with the steering wheel on the passengers side!! I think it would take some getting use to!!
Absolutey, I love it! If my descresinary Income was higher, I would own it!
Yeah, I would love to drive a car with the steering wheel on the incorrect side! I think it could be fun!
I’m with Stangalang, where I highly doubt I would even fit in it lol. 6 feet tall, 300 pounds, sure would be tight for my fat A$$ lol. But with enough butter to make things slippery, it could be a real blast! Rat Fink lives!
I don’t know why, but I love this car and would love to see it in my collection…
I might just have to place a bid or two…
“registered in the USA” but not likely registerable in CA.
Unless you are intending to deliver mail I seriously doubt owning a right hand drive car would be much fun.
It becomes second nature driving a right hand drive car in no time. If you consider yourself a good driver you’d have no issues at all in a very short time.
Rear view is much better balanced than the front. Two less taillights and this could almost pass as a Plymouth business coupe from 1949-51. Front reminds me of a sad MINI Cooper, Lloyd Alexander, Vauxhall or Opel from around 1959.
Saw many of these when I was posted in the UK. Prefer the unadorned factory model which are aesthetically beautiful ; don’t take a liking to this street rod version!
Saw many of these when I was posted in the UK. Prefer the unadorned factory model which are aesthetically beautiful ; don’t take a liking to this street rod version!
That’s just odd enough that it would be fun to drive to cars & coffee. I have no problem with right hand drive and left hand shifting. After cars & coffee I could let my GrandKids race it on the 67.5ft AFX Slot Car Track I bought them. I don’t think it could keep up to our GTP class AFX cars, but it should be able to run with our GT4 AFX cars.
I’m w/TTF, twice !
The bean counters who made the decisions on this (& the few other low production specialty cars…30 yrs ago? – 4 or 6 of’em?) got it right. All that tacked on stuff looks like a buncha tacky tacked on stuff. Wish the 17 inch wheels could stay but even the flairs R poorly done. Look at one in cream or blk, ck the details…
Dirt cheap when compared to the money bog standard ones are bringing in Oz: https://www.justcars.com.au/cars/for-sale/nissan/figaro?taxonomy%5B0%5D%5B0%5D=nissan&taxonomy%5B1%5D%5B0%5D=figaro