Retro cars are nothing new and are almost as old as the automotive industry itself. Japanese manufacturers have ridden the trend’s wave for decades, a fact perfectly proven by this 1989 Nissan Pao, which incorporated design cues from many older classics. It recently found its way to North America, with the seller holding the appropriate import documentation for it to find its rightful place on our roads. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Spencer D for spotting a classic that is even rare in its home country.
Nissan was probably the king of retro vehicle production, wheeling out the Figaro and S-Cargo to eager buyers. The Pao joined the range in 1989, and because the company decided on a limited build total, the first potential buyers to hand over their money would become owners. Final production figures vary across sources, but it is widely believed that around 31,352 of these little cars rolled out of the factory. The color choice was limited to four shades, with the Aqua Gray paint cloaking this car’s panels the most popular. Styling features drawn from earlier classics include the clamshell tailgate, and the side “flap” windows similar to those seen on the Citroén 2CV. This little Pao presents well for its age. The paint shines nicely, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust. The trim and glass are in good order, with the latter worth particular note. I don’t know how many of these cars made their way to North America, but I suspect that with the limited build total, replacing a broken windshield could be challenging.
The Pao’s interior is pretty basic, with no power-assisted features or air conditioning. Buyers received a heater, a radio/cassette player, and few other luxuries. This interior looks tidy, with no significant wear or issues. It would benefit from a deep clean, but there is nothing that appears to need repairs. Delving below the hood reveals a 988cc four-cylinder engine that sends 51hp and 55 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. Outright performance is all you might expect, although, with only 1,653 lbs to shift, that motor will comfortably top 55mpg. That makes it ideal for city commuting, but the top speed of 78mph means it probably wouldn’t enjoy life on the freeway. The seller confirms the engine starts and idles. However, it dies pretty rapidly. They believe it might be a carburetor issue, so diagnosing and rectifying the problem shouldn’t be difficult.
The seller listed this 1989 Nissan Pao here on Craigslist in Houston, Texas. Their price of $4,500 is undeniably affordable, although the car’s appeal will also be quite limited. Its size means it can’t be considered a genuine Kei Car, but it is small enough to function as a light delivery vehicle or city commuter. I can envisage it with the logo for one of the major pizza chains on its sides, weaving through traffic to ensure customers receive their purchases piping hot. Do you see commercial applications for this Nissan, or would you use it as an economical daily driver?
Isn’t it cute? What, Shirly Temple cute, or Bugeye Sprite cute? No, not really. It’s like the rich mixing with the poor, mini cars in a society like we have, doesn’t work. Now, if the entire country has the same size vehicles, a different story, It’s powerful intimidating having that Ram 1500, which I hear they are discontinuing after this year,,,good riddance, they got their run out of it, snarling up behind you, is here to stay. I read, the 2025 Ram 1500 looks the same, but won’t have the hemi, but will now have,,get this, a twin turbo IN LINE 6!! Cost, $71,000. Good heavens.
This looks about the same size as a Mini, which I’d be equally scared in that too. I suppose I shouldn’t laugh, once the EV thing shorts out, stuff like this with the all new “Ion” motor will be scootin’ around. A ’69 Chevelle, not so much.
Needs to be ‘deported’ asap – steering wheel on wrong side, and it’s homely.
1. Posting is deleted.
2. What is the other car?
Nissan Figaro is the other car.
Both cars are beauties (& plain fun at drive thrus), compared to what Dreyfuss was drivin in Amer Graf. & there are tons of ugly modern “car” models i would like to see disappear – & crush all the ones currently on the road.
Is “Pao” Japanese for “Clown Car”?
The car next to it is a Nissan Figaro Kei Car!
If you intend to use this on the road, make sure your state will allow you to title and register this car. There’s been a fight ongoing with state DMVs over registering JDM vehicles that have been brought into the US, especially kei-cars and trucks. Worse, states have been revoking registrations for cars that were previously allowed on the road and had had plates on them for years.
Good and thorough recent article about that debacle here:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/massachusetts-reviewing-kei-car-ban-after-uproar-over-canceled-registrations
51hp? That would beat my 1969 VW bug that had 40hp.
Post already deleted. Probably sold quickly!
These are actually hot sellers. With the Figaro being the most expensive.
Howard I wouldn’t count on the EV thing shorting out. You sound like the folks at the turn of the last century saying those horseless carriages will never last. Agree about big ugly trucks no one has any use for going away. My daughter who is a millennial thinks this Nissan Pao is cool. She lives in the city though and this would be perfect for her.
Hi Fox, you can’t possibly see a correlation between EVs and turn of the century naysayers. I agree, I may sound like that, but an entirely different set of circumstances. There was opposition to gas cars then, but they won out. Today, there is so much more at stake, oops, had another power outage, this one only an hour, ahhh, there it goes back, and clearly, this wasn’t designed for I-70 in a blizzard, it does work in a limited setting.
Agreed, EV makers have a whole lot of bilking left yet, as more folks jump on the bandwagon, blissfully unaware where that juice is coming from, a topic obviously not discussed during the sale.
The PAO and Figaro are basically the same car which share a platform with the original Nissan March (Micra). They were limited production and neither was classed as a Kei car as they were too big. They still pull relatively high prices on the used market here in their home country but many have gone stateside with the weak yen and the 25 year rule making them eligible.
Guy down the road from me has 3 4×4 Honda miniature pickup JDM’s for sale. All from the 90’s, or early 2000’s. Wants $7,000 each, but, you can’t drive them on our roads unless you ante up another $1500, for the paperwork that makes them legal. They’re cute, and if I was rich, and 5’6 and 140lbs? I’d get one for around the yard, and going out for cold snacks around town.