What's this car?

shuffles03 · 25-07-2013 8:29am #1

I saw a car this morning, not sure what it is but it looked like a Hillman? I've seen quite a few around. I think you can buy them old (1960s) as well as new models that still have the classic look. The car was two toned, i.e. egg shell blue exterior and white roof. Does anyone know what car this is?

Bluefoam · 25-07-2013 8:34am

Yes, I know what it is. You are in fact not correct, it isn't a Hillman, it is in fact one of these:

Easy mistake to make, but glad I could set you straight. BTW, your description was wrong also.

HeidiHeidi · 25-07-2013 8:38am

http://www.ooyyo.ie/detail/c=CDB21D7114D28540111BEC6FBAED355B55A41D6617F384/6323603196038828525.html/#

One of these?

corktina · 25-07-2013 8:39am

i know what it is....horrible....

shuffles03 · 25-07-2013 8:40am

Bluefoam wrote: »

Yes, I know what it is. You are in fact not correct, it isn't a Hillman, it is in fact one of these:

Easy mistake to make, but glad I could set you straight. BTW, your description was wrong also.

BRILLIANT!!! My brother actually bought one of those 4 weeks ago. He polishes it everday and I think I've seen him kiss it goodnight too.

alastair · 25-07-2013 9:52am

corktina wrote: »

i know what it is....horrible....

Nothing wrong with a Figaro.

OP: The car is most likely a Nissan Figaro. A retro-styled car that was produced in limited numbers for the Japanese market in the 90's. Lots of them have been imported to the UK and here. Looks nothing like a Hillman though - a bit like Colombo's old Peugeot, but mostly the East German IFA P70 coupe.

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe9c4032fac71b793cec651836e8e129a97.jpg

d43864c90df075c94489ddbe4ca5ffe9c4032fac71b793cec651836e8e129a97.jpg

FA P70 coupe:

Colombo's Peugeot 403 cabriolet:

nmacc · 25-07-2013 11:06pm

Perhaps the OP was referring to one of these: http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/151295/nissan-micra-k11-jag-mk2

Capri · 26-07-2013 6:59am

Interesting to see where Nissan 'robbed' the Figaro design from :rolleyes:

They also have the Rasheen (micro Hummer)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/1997-2000_NISSAN_Rasheen_rear.jpg

and the Pao (2CV / A40 design elements )http://www.carfolio.com/images/dbimages/zgas/models/id/2191/pao2.jpg

Those Mitsuokas and Copels look interesting

http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-MITSUOKA.htm
http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-COPEL.htm

alastair · 26-07-2013 8:47am

Capri wrote: »

Interesting to see where Nissan 'robbed' the Figaro design from :rolleyes:

They also have the Rasheen (micro Hummer)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/1997-2000_NISSAN_Rasheen_rear.jpg

and the Pao (2CV / A40 design elements )http://www.carfolio.com/images/dbimages/zgas/models/id/2191/pao2.jpg

Those Mitsuokas and Copels look interesting

http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-MITSUOKA.htm
http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-COPEL.htm

I had a Pao for a number of years. The Nissan retro cars are all much better resolved designs than the Mitsuokas etc, which, in the main just use the stock donor car interiors, which kinda defeats the whole retro theme. There does seem to have been a particular Japanese fascination with everything Vanden Plas at one point all the same - there's a Copel in my neighbourhood, and it looks pretty convincing from the front - any other angle - not so much.

kev1.3s · 26-07-2013 10:48pm

Absolutely hideous all of them and in my opinion have no place in a classic car forum.

nitna bitna · 26-07-2013 10:53pm

kev1.3s wrote: »

Absolutely hideous all of them and in my opinion have no place in a classic car forum.

BURN EM,,
BURN EM ALL

alastair · 26-07-2013 11:57pm

kev1.3s wrote: »

Absolutely hideous all of them and in my opinion have no place in a classic car forum.

Some of them will be old enough soon to be considered 'legit' classics. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

alastair · 27-07-2013 1:58am

nitna bitna wrote: »

my hole it is

Oh, sorry. Didn't realise your opinion had to applied to all.

kev1.3s · 27-07-2013 9:10am

alastair wrote: »

Some of them will be old enough soon to be considered 'legit' classics. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

You're absolutely right but in my opinion they are only poor copies of European classics and will never be classic in design standards.

Maybe if they were to use there considerable skills to design something original it would have a place.

alastair · 27-07-2013 10:06am

kev1.3s wrote: »

You're absolutely right but in my opinion they are only poor copies of European classics and will never be classic in design standards.

Maybe if they were to use there considerable skills to design something original it would have a place.

Some of them aren't copies of anything in particular though. The Figaro is no more a copy of the IFA coupe than, say the Capri is of the Mustang, or a Citroen Mehari is of a Mini Moke. It's a well resolved design in it's own right. Same story for the Pao, the Be1, and (particularly) the S-Cargo. As I say, the Mitsuokas don't work as well - they're more equivalent to slightly iffy coach built specials from the past. And everyone loves an iffy coach built special at a car show, don't they?

Don't get me wrong. I don't like to see a Figaro at a classic car show. I don't think they're old enough yet. But when they are, I'll make the case for them over any Morris Ital or whatever.

Vaguely related: I drove a Nissan Pao (copy of nothing in particular, but 100% retro-styled) for a number of years. I was going to the Terenure show without my actual classic a couple of years back (in the Pao) and turning into the punters car park, coming from the city. The parking steward vigorously waved me down to the Fortfield road entrance, but when I got down there (into the exhibitors queue), I copped that he thought I must be showing the car. I drove back down to the main gate, and had to browbeat the guy to let me park in the regular car park.

Tzar Chasm · 27-07-2013 10:37am

I like the figaro, they are a cute little thing.
the figaro is an interesting concept executed well, the car deserves its place amongst the 'genuine' classics.

the pao is Fugly as sin, but still someone loves it so it too should be preserved and exhibited.

those mitsoyoko's will persist purely because of their kitch value. I wouldn't drive one, but if they were scarce I would buy one to preserve it.

mondymike · 02-08-2013 10:28pm

I love the t2 lookalike myself.

http://www.subarusambar.co.uk/

What's this car?

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