Nissan rode the retro wave in the 1980s, with the Pike Factory producing some genuinely quirky vehicles. They all shared one common characteristic: They were small by any measure. The first to emerge was the 1987 Nissan Be-1, a city car with an unusual appearance. The company produced 10,000 examples over two years, and demand was so high that it had to use a lottery system to select buyers. This first-year example is a gem that is a turnkey proposition. It presents extremely well, while the lowered ride and replacement wheels make it look more aggressive. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Be-1 listed here on Craigslist in The Dalles, Oregon. The seller priced it at $9,500 for a classic you won’t see every day.
The Be-1 was the first of what became known as the “Pike cars.” Designed by Naoki Sakai, it drew its name from the Design Proposal Number. Interestingly, the company sold the Be-1 through its Nissan Cherry Stores, but it never carried Nissan badges. The company based the Be-1 on its existing Micra platform, utilizing known mechanical components and a proven foundation for its limited-run model. Nissan offered only four paint shades, with this Be-1 ordered in Tomato Red. Its presentation is first-rate, with shining paint and no significant cosmetic issues. I can’t see anything suggesting rust problems, and the trim and glass are excellent. Someone has attempted to add a touch of menace, dropping the ride height with HIRO Performance coil-overs and fitting a set of 13″ Michelotti wheels from a later Figaro.
The “quirky” theme continues inside the Be-1, thanks to its gauges and lower console. Trimmed in Gray cloth and vinyl, some images seem to suggest dirty or stained areas. However, I believe these are an illusion, because the problems seem to disappear from other angles. There are no rips or tears, and no appreciable wear. The lower console has an almost industrial look and houses an updated double-DIN Pioneer stereo with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay. The interior also features air conditioning, a functioning heater, and white-faced gauges, including a factory tachometer. Some readers might worry about this classic being right-hand drive, but they shouldn’t. It can take a little while to adapt to driving on the “wrong” side, but doing so quickly becomes second nature.
Nissan didn’t reinvent the wheel, basing the Be-1 on the existing Micra platform. That means that there are no genuinely unique components, making sourcing spares and maintenance items surprisingly easy. It is worth remembering that the Be-1 is a city car and isn’t designed for cross-country adventures. It features a 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 51hp and 56 ft/lbs of torque. It sends power to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, although many people prefer the standard five-speed manual. The specifications make quoting performance figures pretty pointless, because you would probably measure the ¼-mile ET with a calendar. However, for stop/go city commuting, it could be pretty effective. The seller says they recently replaced the timing belt and water pump and also performed a service and tune-up. It runs and drives perfectly, with no identified mechanical issues.
I have always liked quirky classics, which is why I admire what have become known as Nissan’s “Pike cars. They include the Figaro, the S-Cargo, and the Pao. These vehicles don’t appeal to everyone, but to my knowledge, no classic has achieved that feat. Finding one in North America is challenging due to the low production numbers, and this 1987 example is only the third we have seen at Barn Finds. The others received mixed comments and were cheaper than this example. Its relative domestic rarity makes it virtually impossible to determine whether the asking price is appropriate and how it would perform as a long-term investment. However, if you favor small and quirky, could this Be-1 be a contender for your garage?
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