As one of Nissan’s “Pike Cars”, this 1989 Nissan S-Cargo van is about as unique as it gets. They aren’t huge but if you need a huge presence for your business, this would be hard to beat. It can be found listed here on eBay in Cocoa, Florida and there is a buy-it-now price of $13,500 and bidders have thrown down $5,100 worth of bids so far, but the reserve isn’t met.
For the life of me, I can’t think of what I could use this van for but I still want it. The seller doesn’t show really a good photo of the rear cargo area but it might be a tight squeeze to haul a couple of vintage motorcycles back there. It sure would be a cool way to show up to a vintage Japanese motorcycle show. Nissan’s Pike Cars, the Be-1, Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo, were made at the Pike Factory and they were almost more of a design statement than anything, and they remain popular and collectible today. Around 12,000 S-Cargo vans were made, all for the Japanese market.
The S-Cargo had a couple of definitions, it could be defined as “Small Cargo” but was also a play on its snail-like appearance, with escargot being the French word for snail. They were reportedly modeled after the Citroën 2CV Forgonnette van, such as this one seen here on Barn Finds a couple of years ago. You can see the resemblance. Even with no rear side glass, there’s a lot of glass for the sun to beat down into with the big windows and sunroof.
The S-Cargo was made between 1989 and 1991 for the Japanese market and as such, they’re right-hand-drive. The speedometer is also in kilometers and it appears that someone added some cheat-sheets, or stickers, to the speedometer to convert KM/H to MPH. Those would come off immediately if I had this van. Yes, the single-spoke steering wheel is meant to evoke the spirit of the Citroën 2CV. One thing the 2CV doesn’t have that the S-Cargo does is a removable sushi tray. I’m not sure what else to say about that. There is a bit of a back seat and the van can only haul 660 pounds so bring your small friends.
Kudos to the seller for providing a lot of photos including an engine photo. The engine is basically the same as in a first-generation Sentra, a Nissan 1.5L inline-four with about 70 horsepower. Thankfully, the air-conditioning is cold, you’ll need it with those big windows, and this van has four new tires. Have any of you seen an S-Cargo van? What would you use it for?
Doug DeMuro had one and did several videos about it
https://youtu.be/Ee8-6DfMEGE
Shssh, don’t let Elon in on this. He’ll start making them by the baker’s dozen.
Only question is; Where the heck is the twin antenae? I could just see one buzzing over the Golden Gate Bridge! Hahaha.
I have to say this is one of the ugliest vehicles I’ve seen in a long time, so ugly that it’s cute. I’ve never seen one before and know nothing about them, but like I said IMO it’s cute for some reason.
There used to be one here that belonged to a local nursery school; haven’t seen it in a while. F registration is 1988/89.
All Pike Factory cars were made within a year or so of each other. It would be more helpful, at least to knowing this car’s history, if the UK authorities would quit “reaching back” and issue newly-imported used cars a number from the current series of when they arrive there. Still better than issuing a new number with each change of ownership – but in this case, not by much.
Having driven one of these, I can attest to it getting lots of attention. I can also vouch for not being able to fit motorcycles in the back. While it’s cuteness factor is very high, it’s usability is not…if you want it to attract attention to a business…a rolling placard….it’s perfect. To deliver small packages/flowers, probably also good. However the 2CV can carry a bigger load better than the S Cargo…they are similar in one thing though…
The open back means you want to consider wearing ear plugs…the noise level is actually quite uncomfortable unlike the other Pike vehicles.
It also will help if you are not too tall…5’8″ is a good max for sitting in this car as the seat is not too adjustable as in the other Pike cars from the same period.
This is a nice looking S Cargo, but frankly, I think he’s fishing in deep waters with his asking. These can be gotten in good shape for rather less.
A deathtrap on wheels IMHO.
A computer service business here on Vancouver Island runs these as their service vehicles, I run a Honda Acty as my 12volt installation vehicle
In its native country it is not a death trap. The speed limits are slower. Where it’s from the government dictates what the auto manufacturers make. Unlike here.
make sure the windshield is good, near unobtainium (close to lamborghini prices like 2k by time shop from japan!)… looked at one in BC and no w/s glass in canada …. YMMV in the US though… fun car