(first posted 3/20/2017) The automotive digital world is vast, unruly, and hyper-competitive. Everyone is competing furiously for clicks and likes; bloggers will say almost anything to attract eyeballs. Just a couple of weeks before I found this S Cargo next to the Burrito Girl food cart, I had stumbled into Doug DeMuro’s post at autotrader where he proudly proclaims “I Purchased the Ugliest Car Ever Made (S Cargo)”. Seriously? The Ugliest Car Ever Made? Desperate click-bait, or is he just lacking in taste? Did I have to ask?
The S Cargo may not end up on my “Ten Most Beautiful Cars Ever”, but it certainly has a spot on my “Ten Cutest Cars Ever”, or “Ten Cars I’d Like To Own”. In a world of dull, dreary, blobby, look-alike cars/CUVs, the S Cargo is a perpetually-raised middle finger to the inbred automotive taste of the times. Does a truly ugly car make everyone smile? Or laugh? The S Cargo does.
The S Cargo is one of four cars that would normally have never seen the light of day, especially coming from a major manufacturer. The are the fruit of Nissan’s exploration of the out edges of the market; the automotive equivalent of $100 designer tee shirts. They were all built by the Pikes Factory; a subversive little operation of Nissan’s that churned out the most amusing, absurd, and charming retro post-modernist cars from 1987 to 1991.
We’ve covered them all here except the S Cargo. And given my love of tall, boxy and quirky cars, you can just guess how I now want one of these. It would make the perfect companion to the Pao Stephanie still pines for. Now that they’re over 25 years old, they can be legally imported to the US. Now we just need to find someone to convert them to LHD.
A quick rundown of the Pikes Factory and its cars. Nissan hired designer Naoki Sakai, who had become obsessed with Japanese tattoo culture when he was at art school in San Francisco in the 1960s. He created tee shirts with the his designs that became madly popular for a while. In 1987, Nissan showed three concepts designed by Sakai, all based on the Nissan March platform. Due to overwhelming response, Nissan put them into production at the Aichi Machine Industry plant, which is actually a subcontractor for Nissan which nowadays builds engines for modern-day oddballs like the Juke and the Cube. It was then dubbed “Pike Factory.” And the Be-1 was the first to be built, in 1987-1988.
Demand outstripped supply by a 10:1 ratio, and a lottery was created to pick the lucky 10,000 that would be able to buy one.
In response, Nissan commissioned Sakai to design three more vehicles. The first two were the Pao, which I found in Eugene a few years back, and wrote up here. The other was the S Cargo, which we’ll get back to in a moment.
The final Pikes Factory-mobile was the Figaro, from 1991. CC’s David Saunders found one of them in his part of the world in Canada, and wrote it up here. That now just leaves the Be-1 to be found for CC.
Needless to say, the inspiration for the S Cargo was undoubtedly the Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette delivery van, which is really the mother of the whole breed of small FWD passenger-car based vans that are so common around the globe, and the offshoots are now available in the US as the Ford Transit Connect and Ram Promaster City, although they are obviously quite a bit larger.
It appears that the proprietors of Burrito Girl have bought one of the few now in the US to haul their supplies. And why not? It’s just about perfect for transporting the modest-sized amounts of cargo required for a food cart.
There’s no back seat in these; just a moderate (but tall) cargo area, as befitting its name.
Speaking of, its name is of course a play on both “Small Cargo” as well as escargot, French for snail, which also happens to be the nickname for the Citroen 2 CV.
If the 2CV was famous for its sluggish ways, the S Cargo is faithful to its inspiration. The 1.5 L four still has a carburetor, is rated at 75 hp, and is mated to a three-speed automatic. That’s plenty for the crowded streets of Tokyo, but not exactly ideal for American freeways. But that’s not what life in Eugene is about anyway; and it is perfectly able to take our relaxed (read: slow) freeways in stride.
Maybe some of you won’t be quite able to share my enthusiasm about finding this S Cargo, but then I’ve tried hard to share yours about your Broughams. Variety is what makes the world interesting, and that’s what I hunt for every day on the streets. Go ahead and laugh at it, but just don’t call it the world’s ugliest car. It’s playful; and we all could use a bit more of that in our lives.
More:
CC 1989 Nissan Pao: Retro Done Right PN
CC 1991 Nissan Figaro: More Anime Than Animal D. Saunders
I share your love of these, but the Figaro is the only Pikes car I tend to see in England and Ireland. Shame these oddball JDM cars invariably come with auto gearboxes though.
I wonder how many have been converted to manual (and EFI for that matter)? It’s not as though manual Micra potential donor cars are at all rare in your neck of the woods.
Quite common in NZ but you knew that already, The Scargo was built around a Pulsar/Sentra so is bigger than the Figaro Pike cars which are on the Micra platform, yes inspiration from the Tin snail 2CV the Nissan is actually quite a good workhorse with parts everywhere should it ever go wrong. These did come in manual.
No, Bryce; the S Cargo, like all the Pike Factory cars, was built on the Micra platform and only came with the automatic. Why do you so readily and repeatedly contradict facts that are so easily verifiable? Or maybe they built a special larger version of the S Cargo on a Sentra platform with manual just for New Zealand. According to you, it wouldn’t have been the first time. 🙂
Lack of a 1.5 petrol engine in the Micra lineup in 1990 was one reason and I have seen a manual though I’m now thinking it had been swapped locally.
Bryce, there was never a lack of a petrol engines in the Micra line. Micras were only built in petrol versions, except for some diesels for Europe-only, using the PSA TUD engine. Nobody was buying diesels in Japan at the time, or trying to sell them.
Yes, I’m sure some manuals have been swapped into the Pike cars.
Paul around the time these were built every Japanese car builder except Subaru had NA and Turbo diesels in their lineup and the Micras were 1300cc these Escargo are 1500cc and much wider than a Micra. I owned a 1990 Toyota Corona diesel they were a common ex JDM import, diesel Sentras were common all light Japanese commercials pickups and vans are available in diesel and very common in NZ.
Paul you misunderstood there never was a 1.5 engine in the Micra lineup replacement engines for Escargo are harvested from Sentras, I asked as I found a cooked one for sale cheap but didnt pounce untill I located another engine so got beaten to the draw,
Diesels were in every Japanese manufacturers lineup both Turbo and NA they are as common as dirt ex JDM, so somebody was buying them new apart from the passenger car lineup Japanese light commercials are mostly diesel vans and pickups, we get em both new and used ex JDM, The US is unique in using only petrol engines and the Japanese cater to it but in other markets including the JDM they fit diesels in everything.
Edit, as an example the gas V6 in Mazda BT50/Ford Ranger was dropped for the NZ market as the 3.0 turbo diesel produces more power and that was this century when local Ford pickup rebadged Mazdas began using the US Ranger badge
I’m a big fan of these and all the other Pikes, especially the Be-1. The Lane had one of each when I was there and a Figaro was outside my hotel window just a few days ago, alas, by the time I went downstairs it was gone.
One of the big car magazines (Road and Track maybe?) came to the Lane to do an article of the SCargo. The journalists took it to the local Home Depot for some humorous shots. Judging by the people’s reaction, it would be a hit in this day and time, in the American market, especially with the advent and success of the Transit and Sprinter vans.
There’s a sprinkling of Figaros here in sunny Cornwall. Not my personal cup of tea but they do make me smile! They are becoming quite collectible these days. I did once see an S Cargo somewhere although I’m blowed if I can remember where. Smile? I think I burst out laughing.
Our uber-serious world does need more cars that make people smile.
Nissan styling has always seemed quirky to me. Other than the Z cars and a very few others I’ve never cared for Nissan/Infinity vehicles.
If I were either a competent mechanic, or knew of one (he says living just outside of Richmond, the home to the importer of JLM cars), I’d love to have one of any of the four cars built by the Pike Factory.
They’d take care of my love of small cars and odd looking cars simultaneously.
However, I’m already neck deep in odd, old motorcycles that constantly need attention. So I’ll just suffer along with my 55c Abarth.
One can always dream those. Favorite dream: Tomorrow morning, every brougham in the country turns into one of these four. What an improvement.
What are JLM cars?
Not familiar with the acronym, and it’s not coming up (at least not in mulitiple tries, styled differently) in a Google search.
I start to worry about my memory when I visit here daily for years, and I don’t get the lingo… ?
I suspect it’s a typo. He undoubtedly meant JDM.
Thanks! I kept thinking, “Jaguar, Land Rover…and who else?”
Yep, didn’t catch that in the reread before submitting.
It’s shaped like a shrunken DIVCO milk delivery truck from my childhood. I love it.
Hardly worthy of the “Ugliest” award, especially to those of us who love the 2CV Camionette. Certainly the Pontiac Aztek (and I know this is hardly an original thought with me) retired that trophy years ago. I can think of nothing that even comes close to it for sheer clumsiness. Ironically, as I understand it, they’re pretty useful and reliable vehicles, relatively speaking.
“…nothing that even comes close to it for sheer clumsiness…”
Except just about anything from the noble house of SsangYong.
Ssang Who? Never heard of them before but a quick online search reveal stuff that looked conventional, dull and derivative. What am I missing, O.P.?
Ssangyong’s newest stuff is dull yes, but look up the first gen Ssangyong Rodius. Good god man. It makes the Aztec look pretty!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/SsangYong_Rodius_270_Xdi_front_20100719.jpg/1280px-SsangYong_Rodius_270_Xdi_front_20100719.jpg
Well, not exactly pretty but point well taken, Glenn.
If a manufacturer identifies and fills a market need, more power to them. Nissan obviously tapped into one if the Be-1 had to be in a lottery!
The S-Cargo is a great idea and for the current mission of this one is ideal.
The Lane had a small section with some of the Pike cars; my camera battery was about dead or I would have grabbed more. This Pao was the only one I captured.
DeMuro’s proclamation is meant to be emancipating, but it’s terribly self-conscious all the same, as if he’s saying, “Come behind the curtain, and look at my guilty pleasure! It’s ugly, right? No, really… you DO agree it’s ugly, don’t you?”
The only problem with a supremely cute vehicle, and, by extension, any car that’s likely to draw comments on the street, is you have to allow extra time to discuss it with the random onlooker and still get your business done (even in Eugene?). Imagine rushing down to the convenience store to get an emergency feminine product for your lady in an S Cargo… unwise.
These Pike’s cars are all wonderful little contrivances, and not as rare as hen’s teeth, except for the Be-1; there’s always one or more of them available for sale on ebay or BAT.
IF ONLY Japan had evolved as a LHD country. Imagine the fun we would be having! It’s not just the inconvenience or strangeness. Part of the enjoyment of driving a cute oldtimer is sharing the experience, but who wants to ride shotgun on the traffic side of the road?
+1 on Dave M’s Divco remark!
I can only take Doug DeMuro in small batches. He now has a home on a major carsite. He has done some interesting videos, about how practical it is to daily drive a Ferrari or Aston Martin. Except for dumbstuff like tying a flatscreen tv on top of the Ferrari to bring it home from Best Buy. That S-Cargo is very cute, though I would go for the Figaro. Or maybe a “Mighty Boy” micro pick up.
“IF ONLY Japan had evolved as a LHD country. Imagine the fun we would be having! It’s not just the inconvenience or strangeness. Part of the enjoyment of driving a cute oldtimer is sharing the experience, but who wants to ride shotgun on the traffic side of the road?”
The US may have opened Japan to trade in the mid 1850’s but somehow lost out to the British in it’s modernization. The British built and trained the early IJN in both ships and personal, later with early aircraft and carriers. I would assume since the British had a considerable influence in modernization of Japan they would also influence it in other ways such as which side of the road to drive on. If people drive on the left it is because of British influence in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s time frame. Only later after Japan industrialized did the US have any significant trade with Japan and it mostly for raw materials
Your loss is our (well, my) gain…
While the vehicle itself doesn’t really tickle any of my brain’s receptors, finding one certainly would.
I am trying to decide why it leaves me cold. As an appliance, the 3 speed auto would be a real buzz kill. As for its looks, maybe it just tries too hard to be cute and funky. I much prefer the Pao.
Still, I am glad they made it. It is certainly colorful and our current autos autoscape of black silver and white CUVs could stand some of what the S Cargo offers.
Had an 81 Datsun pickup with a 3 speed auto and it worked just fine. Especially around town. Love the s cargo and like the Pao. Don’t spend any time at all thinking about the writer Paul mentioned. He’s about himself, not the vehicles.
There is at least 1 roaming around in Wales too 🙂
Well, it does have a brougham-esque opera window, so what’s not to like?
These types of cars have grown on me somewhat — not that I want one, but I’m not annoyed by the concept as I once was. I think some of that growing accommodation is because mainstream car design has produced so many angry-looking, ridiculously aggressive-looking designs in the last few years (even the new Prius for goodness sake), that an unabashedly cutesy vehicle like this becomes somewhat appealing.
Plus, anything that uses a 2CV as an inspiration gets extra credit in my book.
Good point about the latest generation Prius. I suppose Toyota was trying to maintain a high-tech appearance but it just comes off as aggressive and angry, not unlike the scowling front end of cars like the Dodge Charger and many of Pontiac’s efforts towards the end. The ultra-cute, diminutive Pike cars are a refreshing counter-point.
With the low price of fuel these days, I wonder what kind of hit the Prius is taking in sales. It’s just not a very good-looking car and a far cry from the popular, inoffensive second generation car that was attractive in its purposeful, appliance/pod appearance. The new Prius looks sort of like a washing machine that someone glued on some fifties’ tail-fins.
There are a TON of new Prius’s in London. To the point that we saw more of them than the 2nd gen one and almost as many as the just replaced 3rd gen. Sometimes we don’t think about other countries that they are sold in, many other places have high gas prices and diesel is starting to take a hit in many of those places.
I really like the Figaro, actually wouldn’t mind owning one of the other two, and the S-Cargo is sort of cute, in a cartoon-like way.
Now the Citroen Ami-6 was ugly.
But the Nissan Juke is truly hideous!
(I call it the “Joke”.)
Happy Motoring, Mark
The Divco reference really nails it. Before I read it I was thinking in terms of Model T form follows function, but this little chuck wagon has a bit more flair than a T. Nice find, I never knew that they existed.
Definitely cute, with its perky face and jaunty posture. It is also different, and thus eye-catching, unlike the cookie-cutter CUVs that Paul describes…and the “Chrysler Cab-Forward Taken To Doorstop-Look Extremes” of the thing alongside it.
Ironic to mention the Chrysler since I really wonder what kind of impact these might have had on the development of the Chrysler Neon, particularly the design of the front end, which would have been getting started right about the time the Pike cars run was ending.
I can’t help but think Iacocca saw the Pike Factory cars and insisted on a cute appearance for the Neon which, in turn, inspired the whole “Hi.” Neon advertising campaign.
Ugly, no.
Cute, totally. Especially in those colors. Bonus points to Nissan for the “S-Cargo” moniker.
The Be-1 styling strikes me as plain, but the Pao and Figaro are both cute and creative, like the original Mini. Definitely more attractive than anything Mini sells today.
Always thought the name was a wonderful pun. Extra bonus points to the Japanese who realised what a wonderful pun it would be in certain Western languages.
I hate “window in a window” on the doors, but that works on this contraption.
This car is no uglier than a Nissan Cube, which I find quite desirable because it’s different. I feel the same about this particular vehicle.
Google stole the design for their goofy self-driving laboratory on wheels!
Fun! Except for the RHD, which would be un-fun.
What’s wrong with RHD? We have a Figaro and Toyota Sera along with a Lexus SC400 and LS430 (mostly our trip car!), plus a restored ’67 Cougar. RHD is simple! You just tend to stay a little more to the right side of the road. One you’ve gotten over the initial “strangeness”, you automatically hop in any of the cars and just drive. It’s no big deal for letter carriers I’ve talked to who have RHD vehicles. RHD is especially easy with the small cars, but I did have a RHD Rolls many years ago, and that was no big deal either.
Paul, the link provided does not lead to David Saunders story, but to your take on Nissan Pao.
I’ve seen Figaro in Toronto, Ontario and S-Cargo in Vancouver, BC.
Edit: I was talking about the link in the article. The one at the bottom works fine.
I fixed the one in the article.
I love it!
But…
How are these legal?
Did Nissan federalize them for US sale? Someone else?
Is there a grey market importer doing the work?
Copy and paste from my article: Now that they’re over 25 years old, they can be legally imported to the US.
Thanks Paul,
When I wrote, the caffeine had yet to work it’s magic.
I knew about these when they were new – due to having an excellent source for then current Japanese die cast model cars. A prolific producer then, of models in the 1/43 to about 1/36 scale range, was Diapet. My JDM Diapet model, from a department store in Tokyo, was a pearl white and I have admired the S-Cargo since I unboxed the model.
I do know that the Pao was available with a manual. Was this ever the case with the S-Cargo? Seems likely not if simple city delivery work was the intent.
Eugene seems like the ideal place to get the most satisfaction out of one. Or a place like Ames or Greeley – flat and freeway free.
Here is an Oregon registered S-Cargo I found in Happy Valley, OR and I was so excited to see one in person. Though it does look cool there just less cargo space than an Aerostar and my goodness the tires are small.
While the S-Cargo won’t win beauty awards, it’s better looking than the Toyota WiLL.
AAhhhh! That looks like the Sydney Opera House on wheels
Toyota WiLL? No it WoN’T!
Just think some consider an Aztek ugly…
Car designers like this kind of thing. Again, as I said below, it’s not ugly, it’s something else: strange. It conforns to a set of rules that are intelligible. It’s properly detailed and finished. I personally like these kinds of shapes.
The Aztek is a genuine case of ugly as in “wow!” and “hmmm!” ugly. The 1998 Buick Signia also reaches the Aztek standard of very bad indeed.
If this was Toyota’s response to the Pike cars, they just didn’t get it.
A few years ago, I posted a ‘long roof’ version of the WiLL Vi.
Looks like the love child of a Ford Flex and Mercury Turnpike Cruiser…
Those Nissans are cute little cars, and I’d be happy to own one (though I have no idea what one pays to import one).
I also have no idea how long Sears has been marketing their “X-Cargo” rooftop clamshell, though I still kick myself for how long it took me to get the pun (before I saw one with the snail label).
*****************************
About Mr. DeMuro’s post: internet and publishing are screaming constantly about the “best-ever,” “worst-ever,” “ultimate” this and that, etc…..drives me crazy when I let it…..
I had one of the X-Cargo top boxes on my Dodge Caravan back in 1984.
There was a pale blue and white S-cargo running around town for a few years but it had “Datsun” badging on the outside. Made me wonder if it hadn’t been imported from India but reading this maybe someone added that later. Nice to know the real story behind it, thanks! I would like to have a Figaro for a town runabout, but not the pink!
It’s a bit pseudo-philosophical but ugliness
really does require intentionality.
This car just isn’t ugly. It’s not beautiful
either. For ugliness you need ineptitude
at every level: surface, proportion, detailing.
This car is a transporter van, styled.
For a properly bad design look at the
1993 Nissan AQ-X. It looks like design
professionals were asked to realise a drawing
by a 14 year old.
I wrote a conference paper about ugliness in automotive
design if anyone is interested.
Richard, go ahead and provide a link. Are there any photo examples? While I don’t think that any major manufacturer would purposely design a truly ugly car, obviously they need to sell the things, sometimes I think that they either get ahead or behind the curve. The ’61 Plymouth, The Edsel, and the ’58 canted headlight Lincoln. More modern examples, the Aztek, and the Juke stand out. The rest of the current design directions; the excessively high beltline and aggressive front end designs are just a trend, I imagine.
I find that it is not easily linked to. Some research is needed.
Thanks for asking….
https://www.google.com/search?q=1993+Nissan+AQ-X&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3gcW91OXSAhWk8YMKHUQcBI8QsAQIGw&biw=1147&bih=527
I’m afraid you’ll have to provide your own mental floss. 😉
http://www.forskningsdatabasen.dk/en/catalog
This is the best I can come up with…
It’s the Danish research database.
Ha – I first read this as “Foreskin database”! No way would I research that, but gets me to thinking – do they save them?
The 1993 Nissan AQ-X and the 1998 Buick Signia mentioned further up were only concepts. It’s kind of hard to believe that Toyota actually made the long roof’ version of the WiLL Vi pictured up above though.
To be fair to Doug DeMuro, he did admit to really liking the S-Cargo in his videos. But clickbaity titles get traffic, and headers like “the ugliest car in the world” have a higher search volume than the more thoughtful, wordplay-rich headlines here at CC. And that’s a pity.
Defining “ugly” is like defining food; a steaming pile of dog crap might be gourmet to some; I never read food reviews for that very reason. I will try it myself, thanks. If I like it, I like it. Same with cars, boats, aircraft and women.
+1. When I was in my teens a friend of my parents asked me whether I liked a certain food. When I replied in the negative, she inquired whether I actually didn’t like it or just hadn’t acquired a taste for it. What?
That’s what so many foodie reviews are like. Unless something is burnt, crawling with maggots, or otherwise off in some other obvious way, taste is subjective. The same applies to visual taste, IMHO.
I’ve only ever seen one close up but I like it, and I love the S-Cargo/snail/2CV thing, and I didn’t know they had made it tot he US at all. We do get quite a few Figaros though, which don’t have the same appeal to me.
as you suggest, for a low mileage, low weight van, perhaps with a striking ad on it, there’s little to beat it.
It is cute. Utility, with loads of charm. While not looking austere. It reminds me somewhat of the plastic-bodied 1997 Chrysler CCV (Composite Concept Vehicle), designed by Bryan Nesbitt. Which was obviously inspired by the Citroën 2CV.
This appeals to me. When you are freed from the requirement that a car need imply aggressive sexuality, a lot of well thought out designs can get a nod.
I agree. At the time I hoped Chrysler would explore this design for potential production. Especially in its intended very practical role, for use as affordable basic transportation in developing countries. Unfortunately, I think this specific design pays homage to the 2CV a bit too closely. So much so, that it looks very much like a product of Citroën.
It could serve well as a fully weatherproof bullpen car as well.
S-Cargo & 1950’s Divco Milk Truck —
Twins separated at birth??
i wonder if the few RHD detractors have actually driven one here in the states. one of my Festivas is from Japan, RHD, and built by Mazda, not Kia. i too thought it would be awkward shifting with my left hand and making left hand turns but was acclimated to the set up within a 10 mile drive. my hardest habits to break when using the car are getting in the passenger side to drive it, looking up and to my right for the rear view mirror, and activating the windshield wipers instead of the turn signals. just stay away from drive thrus and tollbooths and all is good.
Yes. I’m driving a RHD Delica for work the wipers/turn signal thing is the only hard bit. Mostly because of the switch between my personal car and work truck. If I was driving the Delica full time it would be fine.
My cars are all LHD and I still have that problem. Being used to things like GM and Jeep all my life, with the wiper control on the left stalk. Then I got a Geo Tracker. Wipers on the right stalk, headlights on the left stalk. If I had a dollar for every time I turned off the headlights when attempting to turn off the wipers, I probably could have earned back what I paid for it.
One of my buddies dad bought one about 5 years ago. Here in BC Canada we have only a 15 year import law. I think he paid about $6-8k CDN for it and it had all of 60 000 kms on the odometer. He used it for small parts runs and going to town. It got really good mileage and for our 90 km speed limit on the highway was fine. He must have had enough of driving a right hand drive vehicle on our roads as I noticed it for sale recently. He was asking $4500 CDN. It was an auto I might have been tempted to pick it up if it had a couple more seats and a five speed…
Yep, there are a few of these plying around in Vancouver, along with a double-handful of the other weirdos from Nissan (and a goodly number of Subarus and a whole lot of Delicas). The S-Cargo looks practical for the small businesses I see using them, though I doubt their crash safety.
I love S-Cargos, they were relatively common here in NZ, but becoming less and less so. A lot of the parts for these (and the other pike cars) are no longer available, so even relatively minor accidents etc, can lead to write-offs.
We had one as a parts/workshop run-around at our dealership back in the early 00’s. Paul, I recall you’re pretty tall aren’t you? At 6’2″ I recall my knees hard up against the dash. Wasn’t a problem for a 5-minute dash down the road, but wouldn’t like to do too long in one.
While somewhat underpowered, and further hampered with a 3-speed auto, they still were sprightly enough to drive around town, bearing in mind they weigh less than a 1000kg.
They had a useable rear cargo space, you could fit an engine or FWD transmission in there without any problems.
They also did have back seats, a very basic folding bench, which could fold flat against the backs of the front seats. I imagine the vast majority of them were removed!
Would it be ‘cultural appropriation’ if they named it ‘Escargot’? There is enough Citroen inspiration in it already.
One of these would be perfect for a home health nurse. Easy to park, good mpg for zipping around town, and plenty of room for supplies. I’d much prefer a manual transmission and LHD though. I’d still want to keep an Outback for snowy days as health needs don’t stop for inclement weather!
The Pao was great retro design in the style of the R4 with all kinds of styling elements of the 50s in Europe.
As for the Figaro, reminiscent of the Gutbrod Superior and some other small cars of the 50s, I blame Nissan for never offering it in Germany – maybe then I would have forgiven them for the embarrassing appearance with the Nissan GT-R LM.
The S-Cargo is definitely not the ugliest car in the world, but a wonderful looking city transporter. The world would be a better place if there were more of these kinds of vehicles.
The S-Cargo is certainly a unique vehicle, I don’t find it ugly but rather cute. Certainly not ugly like the Aztek. I’m still waiting for a write-up on the Mitsubishi Lettuce.
There is that “Dad joke” about the snail that buys a car, this car is the punchline.
Why did Nissan stop with the Pike factory series? It seems like each one of them was a hit?
Seeing one of these would be very entertaining for me.
Like when I discovered the Teletubbies while channel surfing in the 90s. It was just so bizarre that I started watching it in every morning while eating my cereal before work. (In my 20s, with a wife and child and grownup stuff)
But as wonderfully bizarre as they were, I never wanted to cover myself in a Teletubbie costume, just as I would not want to surround myself by a vehicle like this.
This is a rolling “Kick Me” sign. They will be laughing AT you, not with you.
I don’t usually care what “they” think of me, but I don’t go out of my way to get “their” attention, either.
It’s so cutesy.
I hate cutesy.😎
Broke my heart when I found out that “Figaro” wasn’t coming to the “USA market”!! Don’t think it even came to “North America” at all.
No mention of Nissan’s Wartburg, the Rasheen?