No one requested a wide-body Figaro, but the seller of today’s Nice Price or No Dice model certainly delivered. Let’s find out if this unique combination comes with an equally unique price tag.
Alex Edelman had two accidents in one day with his 2004 PT ‘Loser’. In life, it’s often said that the journey matters more than the destination. Considering the seller’s claim that last Friday’s 1984 Ford Ranger Roll-A-Long camper is extremely slow, many may agree. However, most of the commenters disagreed with the $18,800 price tag, pointing out better options available in that price range. As a result, the Roll-A-Long experienced a 71% loss in the No Dice category.
If you’ve seen the 2002 Steven Spielberg film, Catch Me If You Can, you might be familiar with the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., the film’s real-life protagonist. Known for his crafty cons, Abagnale made millions through forgery, larceny, and theft by impersonating various professionals like doctors and pilots.
The Nissan Motor Company seemed to take a page out of Abagnale Jr.’s playbook with their retro series of specialty cars in the early 1990s. These Pike Cars, designed by Nissan’s Pike Factory special projects group, include the S-Cargo van, Be-1 mini car, Pao slightly bigger mini car, and the Figaro coupe/convertible. All of these cars are based on Nissan’s mainstream March model and imitate iconic models from other manufacturers, which is rather flattering.
The Figaro drew inspiration from small Italian cars of the 1950s and ’60s, particularly Fiats. Its retro interior styling hides a ’90s-tech stereo beneath the dash. The car’s exterior features a pronounced forward lean, giving it the appearance of an adorable bulldog. A color separation between the body and roof adds to its charm. In summary, the Figaro wouldn’t look out of place in Rome’s Piazza del Popolo or cruising down the Champs-Élysées.
However, today’s custom 1991 wide-body Figaro takes things to a whole new level. It amazes not only because someone decided to customize it in this way but also because someone actually manufactured the body kit for it. Who would have thought? This Figaru emphasizes the bulldog stance with broader shoulders and hips. It also ditches the original dual-tone appearance for a monochrome gray with black-painted windshield frames and door handles as accents. The ad claims the car comes with both the top and fuel-filler door, although they aren’t shown in the provided pictures.
The cabin retains some retro style with Recaro seats and vibrant blue trim. The driver’s seat could use some upholstery work, but everything else looks intact, including the cool retro stereo and HVAC controls.
The March/Mirca drivetrain remains unmodified, consisting of a 987cc SOHC turbocharged inline-four engine generating 75 horsepower and 78 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller claims that the car drives amazingly well and labels it a solid weekend car or daily driver. It sits on a lowered coilover suspension and Fatlace 15-inch alloys.
Despite all the evident customization, the seller mentions that the car still requires some tender love and care, including new weatherstripping for the top and some touch-ups to the paint and bodywork. Perhaps a different color would be more suitable as well.
The ad states that the car has a clean title, and the mileage is estimated to be around 104,000 (remember, the odometer is in kilometers). It’s safe to say that owning a wide-body Figaro would make you the only one on your block, and possibly the only one in your state.
Of course, such exclusivity comes at a cost, in this case, an $11,000 asking price. Do you think this is a fair price for such a unique and rare little car? Or is it too much for a Figaro that has been heavily modified?
You decide! Check out the listing on Facebook Marketplace out of Seattle, Washington. Alternatively, click here if the ad is no longer available.
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