The Nissan Figaro is a two-door car built by Nissan in February 1991 for the Japanese market. Based on the original Nissan March/Micra, it is a fixed-profile convertible with 2+2 seating and front-wheel drive, and was sold only through Nissan Cherry Stores. A total of 20,073 were built in its single year of production, all right-hand drive.
Nissan Figaro at a glance
| Production | February 1991, one year |
|---|---|
| Built | 20,073 |
| Base | first-generation Nissan March / Micra |
| Body | two-door fixed-profile convertible, 2+2 |
| Engine | 987 cc turbocharged four, 76 PS |
| Gearbox | three-speed automatic |
| Suspension | MacPherson struts front, four-link coil rear |
| Top speed | 171 km/h |
| Sold via | Nissan Cherry Stores, by lottery |
| Colours | Topaz Mist, Emerald Green, Pale Aqua, Lapis Grey |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Figaro.
History of the Nissan Figaro
Pike Factory
The Figaro was shown at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show with the tagline “Back to the Future”. It was built by Aichi Machine Industry, the special projects group Nissan later called Pike Factory, which also made the Be-1, Pao and S-Cargo. Aichi had built independent kei cars such as the Cony 360 until Nissan took over its operations in 1966, and had also built the first-generation Sunny. Together the four cars are Nissan’s “Pike cars”, a design strategy that borrowed marketing ideas from consumer electronics; the critic Phil Patton called them “the height of postmodernism” in 2011.
Engineering
The Figaro used the first-generation March platform and its OHC turbo engine, needed to offset the weight of the folding roof. The 987 cc unit made 76 PS through a three-speed automatic, with MacPherson struts at the front, a four-link coil-spring rear axle, rack-and-pinion steering and ventilated front discs. The top speed was 171 km/h. Front wings were made of thermoplastic resin to save weight.
Retro design
The styling took cues from 1950s cars such as the Renault Dauphine and from 1930s Art Deco, with round headlights and tail lights, chrome trim, a fixed-profile convertible body and wheels made to look like whitewalls. Inside there were ivory leather seats with contrast piping, air conditioning, a CD and cassette player, chrome and Bakelite-style knobs and a chrome-trimmed speedometer. The four paint colours stood for the seasons: Topaz Mist for autumn, Emerald Green for spring, Pale Aqua for summer and Lapis Grey for winter. Nissan planned 8,000 cars, then built another 12,000 to meet demand, and buyers entered a lottery to get one.
Design and features
- Fixed-profile convertible: the side structure stays put while the roof folds.
- Turbo Micra engine: 76 PS from 987 cc.
- Seasonal colours: four paint options, one for each season.
- Cult status: at least 3,000 grey imports in Britain and Ireland by 2019.
Nissan Figaro versions
- Figaro (1991): the only production version.
- Limited edition: cars with passenger-side baskets and cup holders.
- Left-hand-drive conversions: a few built for right-hand-traffic countries.
The Figaro was one of the Pike cars alongside the Pao and S-Cargo, all based on the March and Micra. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: Cruising in the Nissan Figaro
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Figaro, English Wikipedia: production, Pike Factory, engineering, design, colours
