Nissan Figaro

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Nissan Figaro (E-FK10)
Curb weight
810 kg (1,790 lb)
Nissan Figaro finished in Pale Aqua
Nissan Figaro interior

The Nissan Figaro is a two-door car manufactured by

Nissan Cherry Stores
.

A total of 20,073 Figaros were produced by Nissan in the convertible's single year of series production[2]—all with right-hand drive;[3] at least several thousand have been grey imported to Britain and Ireland.[4][5] There are a few examples of left-hand drive conversions for countries that have right-hand traffic.[6][7]

Because of its origins at Pike Factory, Nissan's special project group, the Figaro (along with the Nissan Pao, Be-1, and S-Cargo) is one of Nissan's "Pike cars," and represented a design strategy that adapted "design and marketing strategies from other industries like personal electronics."[8]

In 2011, design critic Phil Patton, writing for the New York Times, called the Pike cars "the height of postmodernism"[8] and "unabashedly retro, promiscuously combining elements of the Citroën 2CV, Renault 4, Mini, and Fiat 500".[8]

Design

Nissan introduced the Figaro at the

S-Cargo. Aichi had originally built independent kei cars like the Cony 360 until Nissan assumed operations in 1966, and was also the original manufacturing location for the first generation Nissan Sunny
.

Based on the

drum brakes.[10] The Figaro can reach a top speed of 106 mph (171 km/h). It also featured front fenders made from thermoplastic resin to reduce weight.[10]

The Figaro features a retro style design on both the interior and exterior, taking inspiration from cars of the 1950s, as well as from elements of 1930s Art Deco design.[4] Notable retro exterior design elements include the round headlights and taillights, chrome trim, fixed-profile convertible bodystyle, and wheels designed to mimic whitewall tires.

Standard equipment on the interior included ivory leather seats with contrasting

cassette tape player, chrome and Bakelite-style knobs, soft-feel paint on the dashboard top, chrome-trimmed speedometer with smaller inset gauges for fuel and engine temperature; and chrome-trimmed tachometer with inset clock.[10]

As a fixed-profile convertible, the upper side elements of the Figaro's bodywork remain fixed, while its fabric soft top retracts in conjunction with a solid panel with a

defroster-equipped glass rear window—as seen in other fixed-profile convertibles, including the original 1957 Fiat 500 and the Citroën 2CV
.

Exterior paint colors represented the four seasons: Topaz Mist (autumn), Emerald Green (spring), Pale Aqua (summer) and Lapis Grey (winter).[10][11]

At first, 8,000 Figaros were manufactured, and then an additional 12,000 to meet demand. Prospective purchasers entered a lottery to acquire a Figaro.[12] Limited edition cars came with passenger side baskets and cup holders.

References

  1. ^ Saarinen, Martin (6 July 2016). "Cult classic: celebrating 25 years of the Nissan Figaro". Auto Express. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ Dodd, Mark (April 15, 2017). "Nissan Figaro FK10 VIN Table". GTR-Registry.com. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  3. ^ Baime, A.J. (April 19, 2016). "How a Nissan Figaro Became an Instant Classic in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Nissan Figaro at 30: plotting the retro roadster's history". Autocar. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  5. ^ "Buying a used Nissan Figaro". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  6. ^ McAleer, Brendan (2021-08-23). "This left-hand-drive Figaro proves nothing is impossible". Hagerty Media. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  7. ^ "LHD – A look a left hand drive Nissan Figaros - LHD – A look a left hand drive Nissan Figaros - Figaro Owners Club". Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  8. ^ a b c Patton, Phil (March 18, 2011). "Nissan's Cartoon Cars, Once So Hip". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  9. ^ McAleer, Brendan (July 28, 2015). "No matter how you slice it, the pint-sized Nissan Figaro is just plain fun". Driving.CA. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d Printz, Larry (June 21, 2018). "Why you should want the adorable Nissan Figaro". Hagerty.com. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Nissan Figaro for Sale 1991". duncanimports.com. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
  12. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved January 12, 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Figaro.


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