Some classics are designed to be taken seriously, while others appear to be tongue-in-cheek creations by the manufacturer. Released in 1989, the Nissan S-Cargo falls into the latter category. Not only is its name a play on the French word for snail, but its styling reinforces that impression. However, its rarity and condition make it worth more than a passing glance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Nissan listed here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. The seller set their price at $11,500, and it appears that figure is negotiable.

Often referred to as the “Pike Cars,” Nissan produced the S-Cargo alongside the Be-1, the Figaro, and the Pao at its Pike Factory. They embraced the retro trend that was gathering strength during that period, with the S-Cargo the only commercial vehicle in the range. This Nissan is a first-year example that presents well in its original shade of Red. The seller has been its custodian for a few years, and with a low odometer reading, they haven’t gone out of their way to wear it out. The paint retains a healthy shine, the plastic is in good order, the glass is clear, and there is no evidence of rust. You don’t often see an S-Cargo without the distinctive oval side window, but that could be a positive attribute. The lack of glass leaves a large blank area that could be filled with signage if someone wishes to utilize this classic as a promotional tool for their business.

The “snail” theme extends beyond the name and styling, because the S-Cargo is no long-distance cruiser. Its 1.5-liter four sends around 70hp to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Coping with city traffic should present no obstacles, because that was Nissan’s intent when designing the S-Cargo. However, the four will run out of breath with the needle hovering at around 70, meaning that most owners will probably opt to avoid extended road trips. The seller states that this Nissan has a genuine 86,400 kilometers showing on its metric odometer, which equates to around 54,000 miles. It appears to be in good mechanical health, making it a turnkey proposition for the new owner.

Nissan equipped the S-Cargo with a pair of wide bucket seats that look like they could accommodate three fairly small people. However, the number of seatbelts confirms that the company believed that it was strictly two-seat territory. There is a back seat that adds to the versatility, but since it looks about as comfortable as your average park bench, it appears to be a “short journey only” proposition. S-Cargo interiors can deteriorate with time, with the acres of plastic trim prone to UV damage. This Nissan hasn’t suffered that fate, the seatcovers are in good order, and the seller has added an upgraded stereo and a sports wheel for improved comfort.

Designed to cope with tight urban environments, the S-Cargo is no fireball on the open road. However, with a surprising amount of interior space and plenty of exterior flat surfaces, the S-Cargo represents an excellent candidate for light delivery or promotional purposes. This car’s back seat won’t be the most comfortable on the planet, but it does add to its versatility if the new owner has children who need to be transported to school. It is believed that Nissan produced around 12,000 examples of the S-Cargo before discontinuing the badge, making this a relatively rare vehicle. Therefore, if rarity and quirkiness sit high on your list of priorities, maybe this Nissan is the classic for you.