The Figaro was a fixed convertible with limited seating that was built by Nissan. It was only offered in 1991 and only through Nissan company stores. With its innovative retro styling, it’s not known why Nissan didn’t pursue multiple-year runs. With right-hand drive, the cars were never officially imported into the U.S., but one does turn up here from time to time. Located with a dealer in Seattle, Washington, this interesting oddity is available here on craigslist for $18,900. Hats off to “Curvette” for yet another inquisitive tip.
Figaro’s were based on another Nissan car that never made it to the U.S. They employed front-wheel drive with a transverse-mounted inline-4 that displaced just 1.0 liters using a turbocharger good for 75 hp. More than 20,700 copies were built, including a few that were converted to LHD for other countries not the U.S. The design and layout of the Figaro seem reminiscent of a collection of 1950s kitchen appliances (IMO).
Only four color choices were offered that corresponded to each of the four seasons of the year. That explains why the seller’s car is finished in Lapis Grey for the Winter. We’re told that to get one in Japan, you had to enter a lottery with the hopes of having your number drawn. This car has 65,000 miles and looks to be in above-average condition, perhaps better than its 35 years.
Everything looks ship-shape with this Nissan, and you’re not likely to see another one anytime soon. Unless you join up with a Nissan group, where these little cars are more likely to congregate. They were well equipped, and the fit and finish seemed to be above average. It’s a shame they didn’t make them for more than one year or add them to their U.S. inventory.
Well, I know nothing of the car, however, the name triggers a Looney Tunes cartoon memory where Bugs is the maestro and the opera singer is singing “Figaro, Figaro”, it’s amazing we can think at all after seeing those cartoons as kids.
The car is a cute thing, awful sterile looking inside, and under the hood, let’s just say, a ’55 Willys it ain’t. I’d say a perfect car for those “headlight eyelashes” some gals decorate their cars with. For the guys, a paper bag with eye holes is included.
Thanks once again for the chuckles! Oh my, Figaro and only loony tunes comes to mind? Here’s the opera the looney tunes Figaro is based on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTk79LAd0eM&list=RDRTk79LAd0eM&start_radio=1
I’m sitting here right now reading the write-up, scroll down to comments, all while repeating that exact line of “Figaro Figaro” from the Looney Tunes cartoon. If I remember, Bugs slipped the opera singer liquid alum causing the opera singer’s head to shrink down to nothing there. That’s nostalgia, combining the automobile hobby with memories of the Looney Tunes.
There’s a dealer,Duncan Imports.in Christianburg,VA
that has a lot of these for sale.At one time they had 125 of them.
Seeing that many is like seeing a lot of Modal A’s together –
you look at the first one,then walk by the rest of them.
I believe they were all automatics.
I just looked at Duncan’s website…2 dozen ish listed in both right and left hand drive with prices from $10,000 to $45,000.
I’ve been waiting to see reliability and service reports of these for 10 years. I need one for local use. With the gas prices coming they will be desirable!
Micra running gear, as I remember.
Correct. Engine and transmission all Micra but they added the turbo for the Figaro. I had one of these and a Pao which was also based on the Micra. The Pao couldn’t get out of it’s own way but the Figaro was quite peppy with that turbo.
I was intrigued the first time I saw one of these in Calgary. I had to follow it for a while until I could see the name on it. Then had to do some research. I was disappointed in the lack of availability of a LHD model & filed it in the interesting folder. Still makes me smile when I catch a glimpse of one tho.
Inspired by the Renault Dauphine.
More likely, it was the German Gutbrod Superior which is strikingly like the Figaro.
out of all the japanese automakers it’s always Nissan who makes the special stuff – love it
These always reminded me of Colombo’s Peugeot.
While driving with my youngest granddaughter who was 15 and in possession of a learner’s permit and searching for her first car, we saw one of these at a stop light. Her requirement for a car was that it had to be “cute”. She liked the newer FIATs and the Minis but this one got her really excited. I had no idea what it was and the lady driving turned right before we could ask her. It was only later that I learned about the Figaros. By that time the granddaughter was driving her Mini, having chosen the lesser of the 2 evils. BTW, she’s now into her second year with the Mini and my frustration level has been suprisingly moderate.
These were and still are cute, funky little cars. There were a number on the east coast around Virginia for several years. I know they were available in both left hand and right hand drive. I had a little involvement with Renault Daulphines in days gone by, and thought these seemed familiar. Seems this price is just a little aggressive for this car. These are still available with just a little searching.
They didn’t build left hand versions. I believe someone did modify one once for left hand drive at great expense. But none came from the factory with left hand drive.
Any of these with left-hand drive would be aftermarket conversions, as they were only ever officially sold in Japan and manufactured in RHD accordingly.
Curiously, it appears a UK firm (Figs4U) has done most of the LHD conversions, any others being individual one-off efforts like this one featured on Hagerty’s site:
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/this-left-hand-drive-figaro-proves-nothing-is-impossible/
At first glance I thought Columbo. But his was a French Peugeot, still makes me laugh watching old shows. He loved that car.
interesting little car, price is in range of the 12 others I found on cars from Japan, I remember some on bring a trailer or a similar site this one is 8 hours away for a test drive.
These were only sold in Japan and any left hand drive were conversions done in other countries not by Nissan. The going prices for these is high.
There are quite a few in seattle. Makes sense given proximity to japan
19k for a car you can’t get body parts for? Pfft…..
You can get them, you just have to source them from England
Duncan also has a private collection of cars that is amazing,Gary Duncan’s private collection stands out for its focus on Japanese cars. Duncan’s passion is driven by a love for unique and rare vehicles that never made it to the American market.
His collection includes over 100 Nissan Figaros, as well as other exceptional models like the Toyota Century and Nissan President.
Duncan has over 4,000 vehicles in his collection, rated 5th in size, including many one-of-a-kind models, such as Japanese fire trucks, and vintage sports cars, like a 1986 Aston Martin Volante.
Visitors can stop by Duncan’s Imports and Classic Car’s warehouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, for a complimentary tour.
They have around 30 Figaros in Virginia, look at Media link for more info on his collection. https://www.duncanimports.com/jdm-inventory.htm?make=Nissan&model=Figaro&start=18
I own one. Not much of a man’s car but every woman wants one. A ton of attention wherever we go. These are for putting around town. At 70 mph you’re making that motor scream. The guys in England recently came up with a five speed stick. Allows for higher speeds. Easy to like car and fun to drive as a grocery getter.