Why we bought a JDM import Nissan Figaro (+ buyers guide) // The Late Brake Show

This Late Brake Show episode explains why Jonny bought a JDM Nissan Figaro (+ useful buyers guide for others) for Mrs CarPervert. 13 years after buying it the Smith JDM jewel Nissan Figaro finally gets featured. Jonny and Chops explain why they bought it, what they like, what they don't and why the future for their little retro Japanese import involves an EV conversion.

Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.

The Nissan Figaro was launched at the 1989 Tokyo motorshow to fever-pitch interest, fuelled by a massive hype around European classic car imports to Japan during the '80s. Nissan had already launched three other odd-ball retrospective styled vehicles under their 'Pike Factory' in-house coachbuild factory; Be-1, Pao and the S-Cargo van. But it was the Micra K10-based Figaro that proved to be the most popular, explaining why it exceeded the 8,000 projected sales and ended up with a lottery system to pick the 20,000 owners at random. Yeah, the little turbo-charged cartoon faced cabrio was the 'it' car of Japan. Sadly it wasn't sold officially outside its native soil, hence why grey imports became rife in the late 1990s.

The Figaro turns 30 years old next year, as all cars were built in 1991. All Figs are 2+2 seater convertible, RHD, automatic and have the 75bhp / 78lbft turbo charged MA10-ET 987cc 4-cylinder engine (as opposed to the normally aspirated 51bhp MA10-S of the other Pike cars). Figaros also came as standard with power steering, electric windows and genuine leather seats. Air conditioning was extra.

Rare Figaro specific accessories include a parking stick, emergency flare, parcel tray, rear quarter panel shields, cabin air purifier, cup holders and boot organiser.

Dimensions:
3740mm long, 1630mm wide, 1365mm high, 2300mm wheelbase, axle track 1350mm (front), 1335mm (rear), 4.7m turning circle, 40L fuel tank, 165/70/12 tyres.

4 different colours were available, depicting the four seasons: Lapis Grey, Emerald Green, Topaz Mist and Pale Aqua. Chops' car is the most common colour - Emerald Green.

Figaros have bespoke badges, toggle switches, piped leather seats and interior parts, plus all body panels unique to this model. No other Nissan shared these components. There are only two tiny locations on the car showing the Nissan name - everyting else is Figaro.

Famous Figaro owners include Eric Clapton, Andrew Marr (British political BBC reporter), Vanessa Feltz (British DJ) and chat show presenter Jonathan Ross. Chops' Figaro was thought to be the highest mileage Fig when Jonny bought it, now showing 162,000km.

For more details on EV conversions and parts visit: www.zero-ev.co.uk

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Filmed by: Matty Graham @ www.pixel-click.com and Mark Hankins - @Inksharkman - InkShark Studio
Edited by: Mark Hankins - @Inksharkman - InkShark Studio
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant Design https://matttarrantdesign.com

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Jonny Smith aka CarPervert
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: http://www.carpervert.comInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/jonnycarpervert Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carpervert


CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
9:30 BUYER'S GUIDE
12:40 Clarion retro stereo
21:15 EV conversion time?
24:20 EV MX-5 kit
25:00 Space for batteries?
26:52 Boot space
27:35 Cabin space
28:00 converting analogue clocks?
28:35 162,000km!
28:48 Battery area to mimic engine?


#nissanfigaro #electricclassiccarconversion #jdmimportcar #nissanturbo