The DFW Car & Toy Museum has unveiled a rare 1992 Nissan Figaro as a new addition to The Ron Sturgeon Collection. This vehicle, freshly imported from Japan in June 2024, represents a limited-production model with only around 20,000 units originally sold exclusively in the Japanese market. Its presence in Fort Worth underscores the growing appreciation for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) imports and retro automotive design in museum collections.
The Figaro's importance lies in its unique blend of nostalgic styling and innovative engineering for its era. Based on the Nissan Micra platform, it features a retro-styled design that was both nostalgic and futuristic when launched. This particular example has been resprayed from its original Emerald Green to a Champagne finish, enhancing its visual appeal while preserving its vintage character. The car's fixed-profile convertible top offers an open-air driving experience, adding to its charm.
Under the hood, the Figaro demonstrates surprising capability with its turbocharged 987cc MA10ET inline-four engine, producing 75 horsepower and 78 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels through a three-speed automatic transaxle, making it both peppy and practical for urban driving. With just 83,000 kilometers (approximately 52,000 miles) on the odometer, this well-preserved example showcases the durability of these vehicles.
The interior continues the retro theme with Crème leather seats featuring green piping and a cozy two-place rear bench. As a right-hand-drive vehicle, it maintains its authentic Japanese configuration. The chassis features MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent four-link rear setup, providing a refined ride for its class. Braking is handled by disc brakes in front and drum brakes in the rear.
Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's appeal, stating, "The Figaro is a dream car for anyone who loves vintage style and clever engineering. It's playful, it's rare, and it's impossible not to smile when you see it." The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, offers free admission and parking in its 150,000-square-foot facility. Visitors can find more information about the museum at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This acquisition matters because it preserves an important piece of automotive history that represents a specific moment in Japanese car design. The Figaro's cult status among enthusiasts highlights how automotive trends from the 1990s continue to influence contemporary appreciation for unique vehicles. For the museum industry, displaying such rare JDM imports educates the public about global automotive heritage beyond traditional American and European classics. For collectors and enthusiasts, the Figaro's availability in a museum setting provides access to a vehicle that would otherwise be difficult to experience firsthand, given its limited production numbers and exclusive Japanese market origins.
