History of the Nissan Pao
The Pao was announced by Nissan Motors at the Tokyo Motor Show, October 1987. Reservations for new Paos started on the 15th January 1989, and continued for a mere three months through to the 14th of April in the same year. This short window produced far more demand than could be accommodated in the short production run (planned at roughly 10,000 units only) and successful applicants were ultimately chosen by lottery. The Pao was a happy stable-mate of, among other iconic motors of the time, both the Figaro, and the Be-1, all three being derived from the common K10 Micra and designed in Nissan's famous 'Pike' factory. Like the Figaro the Pao was sold under its own name, not taking the Nissan moniker of its designers.
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The Pao was designed for city driving and is properly equipped for this. The specification boasts of, amongst other features, a modern (but retro-styled) radio, air-conditioning and, on some models, automatic gearbox; the small engine provides excellent fuel economy of up to 69mpg at 60km/h, and the chassis allows a very small turning circle of 4.4m (14.4ft).
The very short sales run helped to cement the model's future as sought-after cult icon of retro styling and innovative design and the Pao proved to be very popular with users, buyers and collectors alike.
Whether or not the Pao was a feat of manufacturing or engineering excellence is largely irrelevant to its fans, and like many cult cars its supporters describe the often uncomfortable ride quality and suspect handling as giving the car character: without these nuances the Pao would not be the machine it is. What is undeniable is that the Pao fulfils its calling as a very bold design statement, slipping back into what can only be described as retro styling while its contemporaries and peers strove for a new, modern look.
Was the Pao a success? The answer depends on the metric you use to define success but often critics fom two distinct groups. To its owners, supporters, lovers and fans it is undeniably a earth-shattering achievement. To its detractors? An ugly, uncomfortable mess of a car dressed up ridiculously so as to draw attention away from its many flaws.
What the car meant to Nissan is more of a mystery. Such a short run cannot have yielded a financially favourable result but what price should a leading manufacturer pay for the chance to write a part of automotive history? What price should a designer pay to be able to express himself through his quirky design? And at what point does a car graduate from being a fun project to being an intrinsic part of an international company's business model? We think Nissan never intended the Pao to be a financial success as such and that it was developed as a fun side-project — perhaps a designer's 'pet project' — and we are willing to bet that its mothers and fathers in the Pike factory will be pleased with the way it has been (and is still being) received.
One thing is for sure: the Pao has firmly etched itself a place in history.
