Nissan Figaro (ex-Eric Clapton)

History

First announced at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Figaro caused such a frenzy of excitement that a lottery had to be held to decide who would get each of the 20,000 that were going to be made. Restricted to Japan only, every single one was already spoken for when the car hit the showrooms in 1991.

Built by a Nissan special projects group called 'Pike Factory', the Figaro may have had a retro design based on the 1950s, but in fact there was nothing old-fashioned about it. Based on the contemporary Micra chassis, it had leather seats, air conditioning, a CD player and an electric retractable roof. A full four-seater, it was powered  by a 75bhp 1-litre turbocharged engine mated to a three-speed auto box.

This particular car was originally imported to the UK by rock legend Eric Clapton, who fell in love with it while on tour in Japan and pulled a few strings to obtain one to bring home with him. Clapton was regularly seen driving around London in this Figaro and even used it in one of his music videos. He owned it from 1991 to 1996, since which time it has been kept as part of a private collection.

Still said to be in immaculate condition, it comes with a fresh MOT and has covered just 21,000kms from new. Complete with all documentation to confirm Eric Clapton's ownership and numerous supporting magazine articles, it is a fabulous piece of rock and automotive history that would grace any collection.