200+ Figaros anticipated at anniversary rally

The Figaro Owners Club has announced a Big Party Weekend of celebration to mark the cute cars’ 25^th anniversary in 2016.  To be held at Wroxall Abbey Estate in the West Midlands on June 4^th-5th, owners from all over  Europe have already booked their places for the event which looks set to attract more than two hundred cars from the owners club 2,000+ membership.

Gaining a devoted following, the little cars with a vintage look are enjoying a renaissance following in the footsteps of the VW camper van in zeitgeist popularity.

The Figaro was introduced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show under the slogan “Back to the Future”, designed by Shoji Takahashi, who won a design competition with the car. Manufactured by Nissan but sold without the Nissan name, they were built with the Micra chassis and engine but with an added turbo. The first cars to be built with a CD player as standard, they were luxuriously equipped with leather seats, air conditioning, an open roof and bags of style.

Though only 8000 were originally available, an additional 12,000 were added to production numbers to meet demand, but still prospective purchasers had to enter a lottery to be able to buy one. There were just four original colours: Topaz Mist, Emerald Green, Pale Aqua and Lapis Grey, each symbolising a season of the year. 

25 years on and many of the cars have naturally undergone some refurbishment and now a host of rainbow colours can be seen alongside the original pastel hues, from rich purples, sunny yellows through to iridescent metallic two tone orange and green.

The owners club is thriving.  Though based in the UK, its membership is worldwide and European rallies are a popular feature of their annual events planning.  Founder, Kevin Fagan opted for luxurious 12^th century Wroxall Abbey hotel as the venue for the Big Party Weekend as it is a good central point for owners travelling from all over the UK, with many European owners scheduled to make the trip too.  With a gala dinner dance on the Saturday night, followed by a full program of activity at a Figaro Fair on the Sunday and a Rally convoy drive out, the event is set to be a magnificent spectacle for enthusiasts and the public to enjoy.

Kevin explains “Wherever we go these cars we seem to attract lots of attention, even at classic car shows where there many more prestigious cars present the Figaros seem to have massive popular appeal.  I think it’s because they are so unusual they appeal to the men, because they are stylish they appeal to the ladies, and kids love them because they’re cute and look like something from a children’s cartoon or book.  Old or young they always manage to raise a smile.”