Why we bought a JDM import Nissan Figaro (+ buyers guide) // The Late Brake Show
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2024
- This Late Brake Show episode explains why Jonny bought a JDM Nissan Figaro (+ useful buyers guide for others) for Mrs CarPervert. 13 years after buying it the Smith JDM jewel Nissan Figaro finally gets featured. Jonny and Chops explain why they bought it, what they like, what they don't and why the future for their little retro Japanese import involves an EV conversion.
Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.
The Nissan Figaro was launched at the 1989 Tokyo motorshow to fever-pitch interest, fuelled by a massive hype around European classic car imports to Japan during the '80s. Nissan had already launched three other odd-ball retrospective styled vehicles under their 'Pike Factory' in-house coachbuild factory; Be-1, Pao and the S-Cargo van. But it was the Micra K10-based Figaro that proved to be the most popular, explaining why it exceeded the 8,000 projected sales and ended up with a lottery system to pick the 20,000 owners at random. Yeah, the little turbo-charged cartoon faced cabrio was the 'it' car of Japan. Sadly it wasn't sold officially outside its native soil, hence why grey imports became rife in the late 1990s.
The Figaro turns 30 years old next year, as all cars were built in 1991. All Figs are 2+2 seater convertible, RHD, automatic and have the 75bhp / 78lbft turbo charged MA10-ET 987cc 4-cylinder engine (as opposed to the normally aspirated 51bhp MA10-S of the other Pike cars). Figaros also came as standard with power steering, electric windows and genuine leather seats. Air conditioning was extra.
Rare Figaro specific accessories include a parking stick, emergency flare, parcel tray, rear quarter panel shields, cabin air purifier, cup holders and boot organiser.
Dimensions:
3740mm long, 1630mm wide, 1365mm high, 2300mm wheelbase, axle track 1350mm (front), 1335mm (rear), 4.7m turning circle, 40L fuel tank, 165/70/12 tyres.
4 different colours were available, depicting the four seasons: Lapis Grey, Emerald Green, Topaz Mist and Pale Aqua. Chops' car is the most common colour - Emerald Green.
Figaros have bespoke badges, toggle switches, piped leather seats and interior parts, plus all body panels unique to this model. No other Nissan shared these components. There are only two tiny locations on the car showing the Nissan name - everyting else is Figaro.
Famous Figaro owners include Eric Clapton, Andrew Marr (British political BBC reporter), Vanessa Feltz (British DJ) and chat show presenter Jonathan Ross. Chops' Figaro was thought to be the highest mileage Fig when Jonny bought it, now showing 162,000km.
For more details on EV conversions and parts visit: www.zero-ev.co.uk
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Filmed by: Matty Graham @ www.pixel-click.com and Mark Hankins - @Inksharkman - InkShark Studio
Edited by: Mark Hankins - @Inksharkman - InkShark Studio
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant Design matttarrantdesign.com
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Jonny Smith aka CarPervert
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: www.carpervert.comInstagram: / jonnycarpervert Twitter: / carpervert
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
9:30 BUYER'S GUIDE
12:40 Clarion retro stereo
21:15 EV conversion time?
24:20 EV MX-5 kit
25:00 Space for batteries?
26:52 Boot space
27:35 Cabin space
28:00 converting analogue clocks?
28:35 162,000km!
28:48 Battery area to mimic engine?
#nissanfigaro #electricclassiccarconversion #jdmimportcar #nissanturbo - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
The Figaro is such a perfect candidate for an electric conversion! It has an interesting design that looks like a "future design" prototype you would see in "Popular Mechanics" magazine from the sixties. Can't wait to see the updates and final results of this build! Also, the chemistry between husband and wife is unbeatable! You need to do more episodes with her. She is a riot!
I agree they would be great to convert to electric power. I am surprised Nissan don't provide the parts for these anymore being that the retro styling cars are popular across the globe.
Great video, loved it!
There's the great "Project Fig-Leaf" conversion project on Twitter and the Open Inverter forum. It's fantastic!
@projectfigleaf
If you re-arrange the letters in "NISSAN FIGARO", you get "RAINING OF ASS", which is a more gentle word for diarrhea 🤔
Great to see you guys trying to do this as well. Check out the Fig-Leaf’s first outing:
th-cam.com/video/dZp3I_3pF8g/w-d-xo.html
You (and Jonny) COULD NOT be more wrong. The car already has a turbo for heavens sake. Want to make it faster? Tune it! More boost + more fuel - simples. Don't rip its guts out and weigh it down with batteries. Poor car.
"But I wasn't in love with you then". "You totally were". Classic!
Busted
Mrs. Pervert is now the star of this show.
@@chooseymomschoose She just reminded me why I choose to be single.
@@25Soupy "choose" yeah sure 😅
Couldn't afford a mint one, so bought her a mint coloured one instead.
The brilliant irony of Jonny turning off the indicators as Chops is explaining how "mostly men" tell her "you've left your car running!" haha
I thought that first, but it wasn't bad "car manners" on her part as they were stopped by the side of the road, Jonny wanted them off because he knows the mics will pick up on it an it'll be annoying in the video.
"He was in the doghouse... for a long time..."
"Do you understand the concept of a gift?!"
Mrs Smith 2020
I want to see these two after a few G&Ts.
Jonny is the straight-man of this comedy team.
Jonny has personality he has a Charger.
The man is the epitome of a car pervert.
He is about as enthusiastic for cars as can be.
Having a slight interest in Figaro I clicked for what he had to say.
If you want shouty enthusiasm click on Cleetus McFarland, who I also like but love an honest man, One who showed me Red Victor one.
@@HIOP0 i guess if your intellect was non existent you might say that.
Poor guy having to put up with this
He's also quite clearly second in command 😊
Jonny is a battered husband.
I just spent 15 minutes watching Jonny explain what to look for in a car I would never buy, and probably can't even fit in. And I really enjoyed it.
Keep it up guys!
1:29 "Stood there and took lots of pictures".... not just Mrs CarPervert by name!
Yes, a perfect match! 🙂
“You didn’t think I was worth a mint one”
We’ve all been down that cul-de-sac
th-cam.com/video/Wo_2A31tnIg/w-d-xo.html
Worm your way out of that one!
Sd
And it it broke down she would have said "you get what you pay for". Sometimes you can't win when they get an idea into their head....
@@terryatkinson3182 sd
Figaro is a beautiful little cat that always makes me smile when I see one on the road.
Jonny thats one of the most genuine buyers guide I've seen in a long time, It's a lost art.
6:41 "Wellll, it's layers, isn't it?" 😂 Love the Mrs.
For such an iconic model I’m amazed that a newer version hasn’t been made
You & your wife make a amazing double act. She really lightens up the video with her quips. I actually love the little car & the colour is amazing. Thank you Johnny for lighting up 30 minutes of my mundane day.
There's a lot of great content on youtube these days. But Yourself (and Chops), Harry's Garage and Iain Tyrrell really are all the tops
That's v kind to hold us in such high regard Martin. Thanks.
Disagree pal.Hubnut,Carwow,CarWizard,South Main Auto,Fully Charged top out easily I feel.
I haven't loughed that much for a long time. Your wife is an example for british humor
Yea stinks Glad I am not married to her
Never thought I’d be interested in a video about a Nissan Figaro but thoroughly enjoyed it! Can’t wait to see the outcome and your wife’s reaction 🙂
Cheers!
th-cam.com/video/Wo_2A31tnIg/w-d-xo.html
@@TheLateBrakeShow this is definitely the kind of car related content that is missing in the market. personal and in-depth at the same time, about a car that might not be the car for everyone.. but then you look at the car on your own drive and understand the reason why we love cars . thumbs up !
I love these long videos, really keep me going. Thanks Johnny
What a really engaging episode. Thanks Mr and Mrs Smith! Can't wait to see the outcome!
Jonny,
Good luck ! It's a great project, and I can't wait to see the results!
Did NOT see that coming. Lovely.
Edit: Glad now that I didn't read the description before I started watching!
th-cam.com/video/Wo_2A31tnIg/w-d-xo.html
One of the best car videos I've seen in a while. Loved the little auto and the chemistry between you and your wife. It was just delightful. Can't wait to see the ev conversion.
That was a brilliantly executed episode
A car styled after the 1950s, developed in the 1980s, that I always think was released in the mid 2000s. Shows that retro styling can be successful in its timelessness.
Naaa mate it's a 1991 model judging by the reg
LOL, its just a rebodied Micra with a turbo, the chrome on the bumpers is bacofoil....check out the ViewT, its a rebodied Micra that looks like a Mk11 Jag,
@@markholroyde9412 the figaro is more than a rebodied micra as they are completely bespoke
@@bomfunk77 Maybe you missed the part in the vid that said it was introduced at 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. It's 80's development alright.
@@AnttiBrax no mate I didn't miss that part but the registration on the car starting with an H denotes it was registered between Aug 1990 and July 1991. So by a process of elimination I concluded with the information at hand it's a 91 figaro. Thanks for taking the time to reply unfortunately better luck next time
perfect example of why I'm a proud Patreon - keep it up!
This episode was brilliant. Your wife’s love of the Fig and your view of the car meshed was perfect. The plot twist and transition to the proposed EV conversion was well done. Keep up the great content. Cheers!
Brilliant as ever, looking forward to the progress updates
Saw one of these in Barcelona in 2019, what a surprise!
It's just a whole new level, with Mrs Smith, in your videos. More please
Please do a video on your obsession with Mercedes wagons cuz there are a lot of appearances in this video
Also can I have one
Second this would love a video on the W124 S124
I have an S124 230, great car I would love to see Jonny do a video on his.
If you’ve heard his podcasts, there’s a few stories about one of those merc wagons too!
I don't have any W124s or W123s any more, but have had a few. Perhaps one will appear one day. Happy to do a video on this series of cars one day soon.
Best car review yet. We loved every minute of it. More please.
I love how passionate you are about this car. I’d never have one but I massively respect your knowledge of NOS/used parts. I wish you could do the same review on my mk3 golf! Your missus just manoeuvres the hood and you’re being super protective.....I know the feeling!! Class video
Good episode guys I really enjoyed the twist and even though i wouldn't have one I can totally appreciate all it's qualities x
Really interesting Vid (again!) Jonny. Giving me ideas for my 1985 K10 Micra. Keep them coming bud!
Best thing I’ve ever seen you do, bravo!
Absolutely brilliant video, look forward to the progress!
This video reminded me of the time my dad wanted to get one while he was living in Japan. I couldn’t understand the charm of this car especially when you could get a basic Impreza instead. Watching this video now has made me realise that it’s such a bespoke car special unlike other basic cars on the road. And btw love the content and twist in the end about the power train.
Knew as soon as you said Bristol it was going to be ZeroEV. Their TH-cam channel is great. Been waiting impatiently for the 100hp Twizy!
So looking forward to seeing the video of the finished conversion! 😊👍🏻
Sat in work watching thanks Jonny and the wife👍👍
Great video with Mrs Smith, looking forward to seeing the progress with this build. More content with Mrs Smith please, its an automotive Richard and Judy style goldmine.
I'm a big fan of ZeroEv's YT channel. Chris explains things so well.
Great video and a great double act! Really cheered me up. Thank you and looking forward to seeing her finished and EV’d. 👍🏼 Best wishes for 2021!
Great content Jonny, loving the channel. Also, more of you two... nice to see.. great combo.
About halfway through Jonny explaining about the debris that gets caught in the roof rails I realized the full perversion of the cleaning rituals his wife mentioned. This will be an amazing conversion. I absolutely love the look of this car. British sports cars have become a rare sight on US roads over the last decade and its a damn shame... I guess most of them found thier way back home.
Really enjoyed this. And what a curveball with the EV route. Bravo.
Cheers Jonny and Chops, top quality content. Engaging, informative and with a great plot twist. Chapeau. :)
What a great video, yourself and chops are two great characters. Can't wait to see how this goes !
No cheetahs were harmed in the making of this episode
That's a leopard print
Just some rabbits...
I love Mrs Smith.
An eV figaro makes a lot of sense. I'll be watching developments with interest.
Not sure making the range tiny makes it better suited to road tripping, really. Just makes the compromise turn from speed to... speed? Trading travelling slightly slower for waiting ages every 100 miles.
Love these quirky little motors so much fun.
Amazing, cant wait to see this unfold.
I was just thinking - why don’t you do an electric conversion?... and that’s when you pulled into the farm! Brilliant. Can’t wait to see the result.
You and your missus are very well matched Jonny. A proper strange but oddly likeable car!
th-cam.com/video/Wo_2A31tnIg/w-d-xo.html
A proper strange but oddly likeable lady!
Absolutely loved it! Three of you!
Enjoyed this video way more than I expected. Love the channel. Nice work Jonny. 👍
Was just thinking “they should electrify that” ten seconds before he threw the missus out.
What a great car to make a kit for. I can see them selling well in London as a cool town car.
Excellent idea!
We had a fig a couple of years ago and loved it. As you said, rust is an issue. The drivers side window switch played up, and i took it apart and cleaned up the switch contacts and it worked perfectly.
Brilliant! Your content just keeps getting better!
She’s lucky to have you and you are lucky to have her. I want one of these now but don’t have someone like you to look after it.
"You can't get out of this car looking like a piece of shit." I applaud your decision to marry this woman Jonny 😂👍
Now this is the video I've been waiting for since the start of the channel.
The channel is flying now. Many congrats, Mr. Smith.
How is the conversion coming along?
First time I saw one of these was quite recently, for a 90's car, the interior could probably pass of as 2007. Had no idea the car was actually released in 1991, that always blew my mind.
I thought that as well when I first saw one. It probably was the inspiration that manufacturers like BMW (Mini, Rover, MG), Ford and Fiat used to create their retro design vehicles.
Love stories are under stated these days and your's just filled my heart (Can't wait for the future!)
Famous Figaro Owners :- Andrew Marr , Eric Clapton ,Fran Healy ,Chris Rea, Vanessa Feltz, Princess Eugenie, Jane Goldman , Johnny's better half ..
Turbo Tom, Marty Mulholland... 😃
Maths not your strong suite ? Bit of a Figaro hater ?
Great video, I think you should ask you misses to join you more often in your videos.
Great vid once again, was good to hear you chat with Chris at the end there, getting some more insight into how these conversion garages think is great. I really like his comments on how creating kits and sharing them out B2B for a solution to scale this type of service is defo the way to go.
Brilliant as usual Mr Smith...👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Would be great to have more episodes with Mrs Smith as well, your on screen chatter with each other is great...🎩
Looking forward to the next episodes...👀👀
Ok, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again! WE NEED A MRS SMITH AND MRS SNIFF EPISODE PLEASE!
The plot twist at 22 minutes is epic! is rear-wheel-drive an option..... more room in the front?
I'll be surprised if rear wheel drive isn't the way to go on this.
Looking forward to seeing more on the Fig. Good content as always Jonny 😎👍
Tracksuit trousers and a fluffy leopard top is the ultimate figaro dressage 👍
so.... If the Fig was for missing a 'Significant' Birthday.... and you've had it over a decade... Was the Mini G a present for missing the next one??
th-cam.com/video/Wo_2A31tnIg/w-d-xo.html
@@Hitycooking go away with your spam.
The S-Cargo was based on the Sunny, so was a 1.5 NA....
Constructive, engaging, and bridges the gap to make the world of electric innovation a bit more relatable and a bit less scary.
Just the right side of geeky minerals and delivered with genuine warmth. Bravo Jonny, Chops and the unseen team 👏
Fascinating video. Among other things, this shows how there's nothing scarier/more-wonderful than having a partner who's got your number (and, preferably, your enthusiasm for most of the same things). Challenging in some ways, worth it in nearly-all. Not the biggest fan of EVs (other than eco-issues), but I *do* get doing the convo on this one, and can't wait to see the results.
Cracking levels of detailed perving on this one... just stop referring to it as yours Jonny, you’ll get into so much trouble.
Nice little cars and quite literally screaming out for the conversion.
Another great video mate! Interesting to see how the conversion goes.
What an amazing video and information resource for anyone wanting to buy, or has already bought a Figaro in need of some TLC. Well done Johnny and thanks very much.
When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it's aging wheels, but it's actually Johnny and the wife. Well it's okay, they're good too.
The best thing about the Figaro is when you can't find a parking spot, you could just put it in your pocket, or in your wife's purse
I really look forward to seeing a longer video about the actual conversion
Reaching out to turn off the blinker is such a married move. I love it.
😬
My daughter said she trusts your wife. Coming from my teenage daughter, it’s a very good thing :)
My mum had one of these , also a H reg with only 14,000km’s on it .. back in 1999! I really like it at the time .. 1.0 turbo and it was rare .. until you want to London road Southend Essex where all the import dealers were and they had like 40’of them on that road alone !! This was 2003 ish
Johnny, loving the content. One of the best channel around (Probably) 😂
This is cool, i was following that mx-5 build. And when you drove it in there, i was like wait a minute..... 👍🏻
And you're still Married !!!
Amazing. 😅
I've been "Sacked" twice, for So much LESS !
Just call me sensitive ! 😇
Who the hell do you think you are, Andrew Marr?!
.." Heaven knows I'm miserable now I own a Figaro" ... that's the real title of the song 😁
@@martino9134 Quality.
Excellent Jonny...... can’t wait to see the transformation!
Mike
Fantastic episode! Great presentation, great personal chemistry, loads of car pervy detail resulting in perfect balance. (Even though I rumbled that the EV conversion was coming at the very first mention of a disappointing engine!)
Put the batteries in the useless boot, and then make a "frunk" instead.
Or use the boot space to fit the motor and load the front with batteries, just need to keep the roof up if you want to take anything with you.
Nowhere near enough room for any useful amount of batteries in the boot. My bet is that they will switch to rear wheel drive because there's space for a motor in there.
@@MrAdopado Since they are talking about putting batteries where the fuel tank is, then the boot is a good place to consider as well. But true, having it rear wheel drive would be nice too.
Jonny cleans it?.....he missed the windows 😂😊
Great video - can’t wait to see results
Wasn't expecting the twist at the end. Very good call, looking forward to the end result
😂😂🤣 a jungle scene that’s vomited haha so good....so good