Figaro - A brief history
The Nissan Figaro has been referred to as a ''retro fashion car,'' and was born out of the Japanese ''boutique'' movement in car design - sub-compact vehicles (such as Honda''s Beat, Mitsubishi''s Minica Dangan and Suzuki''s Capuccino) were based on the mechanical components of mainstream cars, but were externally very different. Japanese designer Shoji Takahashi was inspired by Swatch watches - the notion that it was possible to give identical products different casings.
The magpies of the Figaro design team took all the best and shiniest bits from a variety of European cars and fused them into an almost-cartoon whole. There''s something there to remind you of just about every classic car you have ever seen. An Austin Healey specialist provided the grille, a Vauxhall one the chrome and some panels are Ford Popular, others vintage Rootes. Owners will become used to pensioners approaching to say ''I had one of those in the sixties!'' - no mean feat considering the car was introduced to the public at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan ''Back to the Future.''
The Figaro was developed around the concept of creating a distinctive, personalised coupe that would allow owners to enjoy a delicate feeling of stylish elegance in everyday life. In commercialising the concept vehicle Nissan has given the Figaro a unique design that conveys a sense of spiritual satisfaction and a full complement of equipment and appointments intended to satisfy a zestful desire for a good time.
- Nissan Press Release, 14 February, 1991
Nissan announced that they were to produce 20,000 Nissan Figaro (to be released in three batches, between February and September 1991), but demand was so great that potential users had to enter a lottery in order to win the chance to buy the new car, which was priced at 1,870,000 yen (£10,000).
What the Figaro Looks Like
There are those who believe cars like the Nissan Figaro are cute and trendy. They''re not. The Nissan Figaro is a suburban Noddymobile
- Quentin Willson, 2003.
This judgement, from the man who left Top Gear to front Channel 5''s Britain''s Worst Driver, might be taken by many Figaro owners as the ultimate compliment. In truth, the Figaro is not a million miles away from the glorious motor favoured by the best mate of Big Ears - but put in for a pastel respray. The only visible Nissan badge is in the shape of a fleur de lys on the bonnet and the car itself appears to date from the late 1950s or early 1960s - it''s all curves and chrome (the lighting units, the grille, the bumpers, hinges, handles) and is finished off with elliptical white wing mirrors (rather like the ones later used in the design of the ''new'' Mini Cooper). The Nissan Figaro is a convertible, with a sliding soft-top that folds neatly into the trunk so as not to spoil the natural lines of the vehicle. Even the hubcaps are distinctive - white and chrome and reminiscent of Polo mints. The interior is finished in cream with off-white leather seats, and the electric windows are controlled by sea-shell shaped chrome switches. The custom-made CD player/radio is fashioned from Bakelite-effect plastic. There are companies that restore them (at great expense) to full working order and the casing is so beautiful in itself that it would probably be a mistake to replace it. The Figaro dashboard is awash with chunky chrome switches to control the air conditioning and the white steering wheel surrounds a substantial mother-of-pearl horn. There is even a rear seat of sorts.
The Figaro was produced in four colours: lapis grey (it''s lilac when the sun shines, honest), pale aqua (light blue), emerald (pale green) and the rarer topaz mist (a sort of caramel colour). However, as the 1991 press release explains, ''to bring out an atmosphere of light hearted elegance, the entire car is painted in a solid two-tone colour scheme that accentuates the beauty of the body surfaces'' - and so, the convertible roof is off-white. Still, people will always customise cars - resprays are not unheard of and vehicles whose owners have decided to depart from the traditional colour schemes can be found cruising along sunny sea-fronts. The most popular ''non- Nissan Figaro colour is ''Barbie Pink''.
The magpies of the Figaro design team took all the best and shiniest bits from a variety of European cars and fused them into an almost-cartoon whole. There''s something there to remind you of just about every classic car you have ever seen. An Austin Healey specialist provided the grille, a Vauxhall one the chrome and some panels are Ford Popular, others vintage Rootes. Owners will become used to pensioners approaching to say ''I had one of those in the sixties!'' - no mean feat considering the car was introduced to the public at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan ''Back to the Future.''
The Figaro was developed around the concept of creating a distinctive, personalised coupe that would allow owners to enjoy a delicate feeling of stylish elegance in everyday life. In commercialising the concept vehicle Nissan has given the Figaro a unique design that conveys a sense of spiritual satisfaction and a full complement of equipment and appointments intended to satisfy a zestful desire for a good time.
- Nissan Press Release, 14 February, 1991
Nissan announced that they were to produce 20,000 Nissan Figaro (to be released in three batches, between February and September 1991), but demand was so great that potential users had to enter a lottery in order to win the chance to buy the new car, which was priced at 1,870,000 yen (£10,000).
What the Figaro Looks Like
There are those who believe cars like the Nissan Figaro are cute and trendy. They''re not. The Nissan Figaro is a suburban Noddymobile
- Quentin Willson, 2003.
This judgement, from the man who left Top Gear to front Channel 5''s Britain''s Worst Driver, might be taken by many Figaro owners as the ultimate compliment. In truth, the Figaro is not a million miles away from the glorious motor favoured by the best mate of Big Ears - but put in for a pastel respray. The only visible Nissan badge is in the shape of a fleur de lys on the bonnet and the car itself appears to date from the late 1950s or early 1960s - it''s all curves and chrome (the lighting units, the grille, the bumpers, hinges, handles) and is finished off with elliptical white wing mirrors (rather like the ones later used in the design of the ''new'' Mini Cooper). The Nissan Figaro is a convertible, with a sliding soft-top that folds neatly into the trunk so as not to spoil the natural lines of the vehicle. Even the hubcaps are distinctive - white and chrome and reminiscent of Polo mints. The interior is finished in cream with off-white leather seats, and the electric windows are controlled by sea-shell shaped chrome switches. The custom-made CD player/radio is fashioned from Bakelite-effect plastic. There are companies that restore them (at great expense) to full working order and the casing is so beautiful in itself that it would probably be a mistake to replace it. The Figaro dashboard is awash with chunky chrome switches to control the air conditioning and the white steering wheel surrounds a substantial mother-of-pearl horn. There is even a rear seat of sorts.
The Figaro was produced in four colours: lapis grey (it''s lilac when the sun shines, honest), pale aqua (light blue), emerald (pale green) and the rarer topaz mist (a sort of caramel colour). However, as the 1991 press release explains, ''to bring out an atmosphere of light hearted elegance, the entire car is painted in a solid two-tone colour scheme that accentuates the beauty of the body surfaces'' - and so, the convertible roof is off-white. Still, people will always customise cars - resprays are not unheard of and vehicles whose owners have decided to depart from the traditional colour schemes can be found cruising along sunny sea-fronts. The most popular ''non- Nissan Figaro colour is ''Barbie Pink''.