1991 Nissan Figaro Convertible

Let's slow things down, make them diminutive, and embrace the quirky. That's what this 1991 Nissan Figaro Coupe is all about. The Figaro is part of an early Nineties quartet of small Nissan cars that were JDM only, meant for the Japanese Domestic Market. The Figaro and its siblings called the Pao, Be-1, and S-Cargo were never meant to leave the Land of the Rising Sun. However, some examples found homes with a loyal following in the United States. A smattering of such cars was converted to left-hand-drive, but this example retains the original right-hand-drive layout it left the factory with. This example is showing 67,000 kilometers on the odometer, around 42,000 miles. It is 1 of only 20,000 units produced in it's single year production run in 1991, making this car a rarity. Grab it before someone else does, and we can guarantee you these cars don't stay on sale for long.

Exterior and Interior

Sporting design cues from various classic automobiles, the Figaro is unashamedly retro-modern. Well, as retro-modern as 1991 would have been. This 1991 Nissan Figaro Coupe wears an Emerald Green paint job with a white top. It has chrome eyelids on its circular headlamps, white hubcaps with chrome centers, and a cutout for the tire valves, plus a cheeky twin outlet tailpipe. The rear also sports a quartet of circular lights for brake and indicator functions, with reversing lamps neatly flanking the license plate holder. The two door car is a fixed profile convertible, meaning it maintains fixed portions of fixed bodywork while a center fabric portion slides back to the rear, making this car almost a full convertible at will. The white interior that can seat up to four occupants is similarly retro-modern. It has a dash that mimics those on Sixties cars yet hosts a modern air conditioning and heating system, plus a Figaro-branded radio with audio tape and CD playback. There are lovely chromed toggle switches for functions such as the hazard lights, air conditioning compressor, and rear windshield heater. You'll also find some white-faced dials in retro style for speed (kilometers per hour), engine RPM, fuel level, and coolant temperature. Gracing the interior doors you'll see power windows with retro-style chrome switches, cupholders and a trunk that includes the spare wheel.

Engine

Pop the front-hinged hood on this 1991 Nissan Figaro Coupe, and you'll find a 1.0-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder Nissan MA10ET mill. The engine is in a relatively mild state of boost in factory spec, making 75hp and 78lb-ft and sending it to the front wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. Braking is via discs at the front and drums at the rear. Nissan rated the Figaro for a top speed of 106mph when new.