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Photo of a Nissan Figaro

Nissan Figaro

1950s curves, a 987 cc turbo, and a lottery for the keys.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 38 sources

Also called

  • FiggyOwners' familiar short form of Figaro; the plural 'Figgys' is used too.34

At a glance

0100200
75 hpPower
07.515
12.9 s0–100 km/h
0100200
171 km/hTop speed
0150300
106 N·mTorque
05001,000
810 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1210

Engine
987 cc MA10ET turbocharged OHC inline-four2
Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive; RHD, 2+2 seats1
Gearbox
3-speed automatic1
Built at
Oppama Plant, Yokosuka, Japan1
Units built
20,0738

The story

Born as a Nissan design exercise, the Figaro entered production on a wave of demand. This March/Micra-based 2+2 convertible is said to be named for the lead in Pierre Beaumarchais's play The Marriage of Figaro.156

1989: Tokyo debut: Back to the Future19891991: Japan-only Cherry Store launch · 8,000 planned, 20,000 offered · December closes the 20,073-car run19911995: Used Figaros reach Europe19952016: US import eligibility at 2520162025: Figaro joins Forza Horizon 52025 Nissan March/Micra (K10): 1982–1992K10Nissan Be-1 (E-BK10): 1987–1988Nissan Pao (E-PK10): 1989–1991Nissan Figaro (FK10): 1991 1990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1281516171819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1982–1992Nissan March/Micra (K10)
1987–1988Nissan Be-1 (E-BK10)
1989–1991Nissan Pao (E-PK10)
1991Nissan Figaro (FK10)
1989Tokyo debut: Back to the Future
1991Japan-only Cherry Store launch
19918,000 planned, 20,000 offered
1991December closes the 20,073-car run
1995Used Figaros reach Europe
2016US import eligibility at 25
2025Figaro joins Forza Horizon 5
  1. 1989

    Tokyo debut: Back to the Future

    The Figaro made its debut at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under Nissan's Back to the Future slogan.1

  2. 1991

    Japan-only Cherry Store launch

    The Figaro launched exclusively in Japan in 1991 through Nissan Cherry Stores, with right-hand drive throughout its production run.127

  3. 1991

    8,000 planned, 20,000 offered

    Demand swelled the intended 8,000-car run to 20,000, with prospective buyers entering a ballot for a chance to order.3

  4. 1991

    December closes the 20,073-car run

    December marked the final production month, bringing the February-December 1991 run to 20,073 cars.8

  5. 1995

    Used Figaros reach Europe

    Europe began receiving used imports in 1995, with the UK the main destination.7

  6. 2016

    US import eligibility at 25

    The 25-year NHTSA exemption opened the US to Figaro imports in 2016.7

  7. 2025

    Figaro joins Forza Horizon 5

    April 24 brought the 1991 Figaro to Forza Horizon 5 in the Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack.9

Every generation

  • Nissan March/Micra
    K101982–1992
  • Nissan Be-1
    E-BK101987–1988
  • Nissan Pao
    E-PK101989–1991
  • Nissan Figaro
    FK101991

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Lapis Grey

    Standard

    Lapis Grey

    1991

    75 hp

    8,156 built

  • Emerald Green

    Standard

    Emerald Green

    1991

    75 hp

    5,632 built

  • Standard

    Pale Aqua

    1991

    75 hp

    3,989 built

  • Standard

    Topaz Mist

    1991

    75 hp

    2,279 built

  • Special

    Cold Weather

    1991

    75 hp

    786 built

  • Special

    Special model code

    1991

    10 built

  • Special

    Mystery models

    1991

    4 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Round headlights and taillights accompany chrome bumpers and trim.3
  • The white roof folds away, but the side frames stay up.13
  • Wheels are styled to resemble whitewall tires.1
  • Flower bud badges sit below tiny Nissan lettering.514

Year by year

  1. 1991

    Read the VIN plate for build month: February FK10-000051–FK10-001622; December FK10-019552–FK10-020073.8

Don’t confuse it with

  • Nissan Pao

    The Pao has a three-door hatchback body, external door hinges and ribbed sides; the Figaro is a fixed-profile convertible.115

  • Photo of a Nissan Figaro
    Figaro
    Photo of a Nissan Be-1
    Nissan Be-1

    Nissan Be-1

    The Be-1 has a small, upward-opening trunk lid and fixed rear window; the Figaro retracts its rear glass with the soft top.116

Against its rivals

  • Suzuki Jimny

    Figaro vs Suzuki Jimny

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Figaro12.8 s
    Suzuki Jimny12.7 s
    10

Prices

Value today $5.4K–$13.8K2627

Auction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 2016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $5,400–$13,750 2017 · $30,419 · 1991 Figaro, BaT2025 · $11,350 · 1991 Figaro, Emerald Green, AutoHunter2025 · $15,600 · 1991 Figaro, 90k km shown, BaT2025 · $29,000 · 1991 Figaro, 23k km shown, BaT2026 · $13,750 · 1991 Lapis Grey, 126k km shown, BaT2026 · $5,400 · 1991 Pale Aqua, 85k km shown, BaT2026 · $45,993 · 1991 Figaro, 7k km shown, BaT2026 · $16,250 · 1991 Figaro, 92k km shown, BaT2026 · $10,100 · 1991 Figaro, purple repaint, 104k km shown, BaT $46.0K BaT, 2026
2627333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2017Auction sale$30,4191991 Figaro, BaT
2025Auction sale$11,3501991 Figaro, Emerald Green, AutoHunter
2025Auction sale$15,6001991 Figaro, 90k km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$29,0001991 Figaro, 23k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$13,7501991 Lapis Grey, 126k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,4001991 Pale Aqua, 85k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$45,9931991 Figaro, 7k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,2501991 Figaro, 92k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,1001991 Figaro, purple repaint, 104k km shown, BaT
2026Value today$5,400–$13,750

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “S2020 put a Figaro on an S2000 platform”
    • “Sarah Jane's Figaro brought £6,000”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Nissan Figaro - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Nissan | Heritage Collection | Nissan Figaro nissan-global.com
  3. Nissan Figaro, a modern classic - Driven Car Guide drivencarguide.co.nz
  4. Accessories – Original - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  5. Cult classic: celebrating 25 years of the Nissan Figaro | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  6. Driven: 1990 Nissan Figaro journal.classiccars.com
  7. Nissan Figaro Buying Guide - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  8. Production Numbers & Model Codes - Production Numbers & Model Codes - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  9. Forza Horizon 5 Nissan Retro Rides Car Pack on Steam store.steampowered.com
  10. Putting our freshened-up Nissan Figaro to the 0-100km/h test - Driven Car Guide drivencarguide.co.nz
  11. Nissan Figaro – Colours - Nissan Figaro – Colours - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  12. Nissan Figaro – Cold Weather Model - Nissan Figaro – Cold Weather Model - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  13. Rare Figaros – what the Production Database tells us - Rare Figaros – what the Production Database tells us - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  14. 1988 – The Design Team - 1988 – The Design Team - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  15. Nissan Pao - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Nissan Be-1 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Nissan Micra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Drive and Collect 4 Nissan Classics in Forza Horizon 5 forza.net
  19. 2022 – Interview with Yoshiro Kobata Pike Series Designer - 2022 – Interview with Yoshiro Kobata Pike Series Designer - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  20. We take a ride in one of the few Nissan Figaros in North America autoweek.com
  21. Doctor Who News - Bonhams Auction Results doctorwhonews.net
  22. 1991 Nissan Figaro | Single-Lot Auctions with Sotheby's | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  23. 1991 Nissan Figaro | Dare to Dream Collection | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  24. Yamamoto Katsuya – Nissan Figaro Racing Car - Yamamoto Katsuya – Nissan Figaro Racing Car - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  25. Incredible Honda S2000-Swapped Nissan Figaro Destroyed in Brutal Track Crash thedrive.com
  26. No Reserve: 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,400 on June 19, 2026 (Lot #248,481) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,750 on June 12, 2026 (Lot #247,334) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Used Nissan Figaro (1991-1992) buyer's guide: the ultimate stylish import | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  29. 12 ways to add value to your Nissan Figaro - 12 ways to add value to your Nissan Figaro - Figaro Owners Club figaroownersclub.com
  30. Purchase advice Nissan Figaro • Figarocars - De Nissan Figaro specialist figaro-cars.com
  31. Repair and Maintenance • Figarocars - De Nissan Figaro specialist figaro-cars.com
  32. Nissan Figaro long-term test, Part 2 - Driven Car Guide drivencarguide.co.nz
  33. 7k-Kilometer 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $45,993 on May 22, 2026 (Lot #244,002) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,250 on April 2, 2026 (Lot #236,061) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,100 on January 29, 2026 (Lot #228,218) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 1991 NISSAN FIGARO CONVERTIBLE available for Auction | AutoHunter.com | 83128712 autohunter.com
  37. No Reserve: 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,600 on November 25, 2025 (Lot #221,103) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 23k-Kilometer 1991 Nissan Figaro for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,000 on June 7, 2025 (Lot #195,037) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • nissan-global.com
  • drivencarguide.co.nz
  • figaroownersclub.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • journal.classiccars.com
  • petrolicious.com
  • store.steampowered.com
  • forza.net
  • autoweek.com
  • doctorwhonews.net
  • rmsothebys.com
  • thedrive.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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