by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/20/2017 at 20:52
by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 01/20/2017 at 20:52
Tags: Used Car Face-Off
; Nissan
; Pike
; Figaro
; BE-1
; Pao
STARS: 1
While we’ve seen the Europeans do retro two-doors nicely and the Americans sometimes not so nicely , today we head across the Pacific to Japan to experience the weirdness of their retro creations. Enter Nissan’s Pike Factory, in truth, nothing more than a set of special edition Micras, but still representing “the height of postmodernism...[in an] unabashedly retro [package], promiscuously combining elements of the Citroën 2CV, Renault 4, Mini [and] Fiat 500” (New York Times). Keeping in mind the campy and somewhat kitschy nature of these Micras, which of them would you choose as your clown-mobile back in the States? Here are the options:
The first contestant: 1987 Nissan BE-1 - ¥398,000 ($3,472)
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Of the set of Pike cars, the BE-1 was decidedly the least retro. Nothing too flashy or cheeky here, just a simple tub with some fashionable side moulding and solid colored lamp lenses. The story continues in the interior with a relatively drab design based on the color scheme of a panda. The 51 hp carbureted 1.0L I4 linked to a three-speed auto means that the car doesn’t just look retro but drives like it too, but it’s in good condition considering there are only 79K kms (49K mi) on its chassis. So what do you think? Is this a nice alternative to a BMW Mini for you, or is its design not outlandish enough?
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The second contestant: 1989 Nissan Pao - ¥400,000 ($3,489)
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Next up is the Pao; whereas the BE-1 mimicked the original Mini and had a trunk , the Pao is a true hatchback with a clamshell opening, much like a Land Rover’s split tailgate. Moreover, Paos offered corrugated sheetmetal and a canvas roof as a sort of combination of the Citroen HY Van and the 2CV. The yellow fogs on this one complete the French look, and the cream interior is a bit less drab than the BE-1's, though it looks a little worse for the wear. Same powertrain but 100 more pounds and a total 119K kms (73K mi). Do you prefer its looks over the BE-1 or are turned off by its wear and tear?
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The third contestant: 1991 Nissan Figaro - ¥442,000 ($3,856)
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The most well-known and the least practical, the Figaro was the one coupe offered in the Pike line-up and, although looked it like a convertible, it really just had a roof-rail system like the C3 Pluriel (I wonder where Citroen got their idea from...) Anyways, this one is nice in its classically pastel colors and has a sports hood (!) as with the rest. Same carbureted 4 and 3-speed, but 200 lbs more than the Pao and with 99K kms (61K mi) here. Does the style win you over, or is it just an ugly little fig in your eyes?
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"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
01/20/2017 at 20:59, STARS: 2
Hum, that figaro is probably a bait and switch car, fairly common in Japan... It’s too cheap for a car in such condition with such mileage. They sell on average for twice that...
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/21/2017 at 01:24, STARS: 0
Really? Must be really common practice since this one wasn’t even at the very lowest end of the range on Goo-Net...
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
01/21/2017 at 01:33, STARS: 1
Nope, not listed in Japan either, only on goo-net exchange... figaro that cheap at shops tend to be in pretty bad condition or with twice the mileage. Cars in this condition sell for more at dealer auctions lol...
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
01/21/2017 at 04:49, STARS: 1
I used to prefer the BE-1, the Pao is the winner here though. The Figaro is for the Mrs.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/21/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 1
Agreed, the Pao here is almost like a modernized 2CV with its French looks and flair. Shame about the three speed auto and carbureted four, it probably makes it even slower than an original 2CV!
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
01/21/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 1
Haha, the original 2CV only had like 12hp. I doubt that one keeping up with the Pao. It’s sensations are more in the handling and noise ;-)
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/21/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
Ok, maybe not just any 2CV ...
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
01/21/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 1
A friend of my brother mounted an Alfasud engine (flat-four) in one. V8 conversions aren’t that uncommon either...
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"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/21/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 1
Why an Alfasud flat-four when you could have the GS one like the Bond car? I like the way it sounds also, the air-cooled thrum of the thing, especially with a turbo!
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I’m surprised that a V8 doesn’t simply twist the 2CV into shreds, although you may end up in a tree sooner than anything else...
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
01/21/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 1
Because his AlfaSud fell apart, except for the engine... Power could have to do with it as well, it was a 1.5 ti engine with 105hp. No Citroën flat four got that. IIRC he took the entire subframe (with front suspension) from that Sud.
That’s a pretty fast GS(A)!
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
01/21/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 1
Haha, that sounds like an Italian car to me! And yes, the GSA was kind of underpowered for a four cylinder. Plug and play, was it? Seems that the 2CV would be pretty compatible with anything.
GS, I think. The GSA got a plastic grille and plasticky trim bits because ‘80s.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
01/21/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 1
There’s enough room for power under that bonnet. It had a way wider track as well up front after the conversion.
There was no grille in the video but I guess you’re right on the trim pieces.
