What Car? Q&A - What’s a Figaro?

Q: I saw a small car in the shape of a mini saloon. It had a white interior and the outside was very curvy, in a pastel shade of green with lots of chrome. On the back it said Figaro. Who makes it, and where can I buy one?
J Blundell

A: The retro-look Figaro was made over a comparatively short period in 1991 and is a useful UK import, because the steering wheel is on the right. Some 20,000 were built, but only around 600 reached the UK.

The car is based on the Nissan Micra, or ‘March’ as it is called in Japan. It uses a 1.0- litre turbocharged engine with a continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox, and should return in the region of 50mpg.

The Figaro is a quirky four-seater convertible with lots of standard equipment, including air-conditioning, electric windows, a CD player and white leather interior.

Eccentric in its appeal, the Nissan Figaro could be specified with a small chrome wand attached to the front bumper to help drivers judge parking manoeuvres.

Prices range from £3000 to around £8000, and potential buyers should look for low mileage and a fully operational automatic gearbox. The rarer Topaz Mist Figaros tend to fetch slightly more.

There are several importers or specialists in the UK which supply Figaros. One is Autosupply UK, (tel 01273 565644, www.autosupplyuk.com) in Brighton. The Figaro Car Company, in Harrow, Middlesex, is another (tel 020 8901 2869, www.figarocars.co.uk).

Finally, Derek Champion Imports also deals in Figaros. You can contact the firm on 01342 842967, or visit the website at www.sportscarsrus.biz. It has two premises in Horley and Smallfield in Sussex, not far from Gatwick Airport.