Films: This Nissan Pao Isn’t A Sports Car, Exotic, Or Pedigree Rich Racer, It's Just Different
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Made To Drive | S09 E14

This Nissan Pao Isn’t A Sports Car, Exotic, Or Pedigree Rich Racer, It’s Just Different

The mighty tiny PAO.
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Peter Hemm
Peter Hemm
7 years ago

Nice video about an interesting car, though I wouldn’t agree that the lack of airbags is a plus.

Greg Childs
Greg Childs
7 years ago

Cool video, but several discrepancies… The Pao was a boutique car, but wasn’t exactly as “exclusive” as the owner states. I’ve had my Pao in the US for two years (hardtop, 5-speed)… there are actually several in the States.

I’d disagree with the need for “sympathetic” inputs, but that’s certainly debatable. It’s a 60-hp 1-liter engine, but weighs under 1600 lbs. Driving a Pao requires some skill to keep up with city traffic, but like the owner says, it’s still totally fun to drive. I’m sure the automatic is a lot less engaging. If you’re in the market, hold out for the five-speed (rarer, but more fun).

Robert in LA
Robert in LA
7 years ago

Thank you David Zu Elfe. This is a market sector I never knew anything about, and would not have known anything about if it were not for videos like this one. I can imagine that a principal function of the Pike Facility is to design and release cars that Nissan uses to explore market interest. A limited production car of this type has very limited potential to be profitable except in the sense of providing useful market information to Nissan. A design language in which door hinges are external, window mechanisms are exposed and visible, and headlights are the shape of a round bulb, is not one the world has seen much in the last few decades. There is a kind of honesty in that simplicity. And leaving mechanism visible, and not behind valences of some type is the lightest possible way to build a car. Given the important of saving weight to performance and efficiency, what was old has become new again in a very legitimate kind of way.

James Flaherty
James Flaherty
7 years ago

What a wonderful story. Thank you Godis!! I have a Citroen SM, while Immensely different, we share similar emotions for our cars. At our Cincinnati cars and coffees, the SM gets more looks than a Ferrari .

Dennis White
Dennis White
7 years ago

Great production and a neat little car, but “hearts” rims? I dunno!

JB21
JB21
7 years ago

I really like those Pike cars. I always felt, in some ways, it’s such a shame that they don’t drive as good or funky as they look, but then, the ability of Pike cars to make you feel happy driving them, that really is priceless. Just so you know, Pao can be had with 3-pedal manual, too. Just a while ago, I think there was a LHD converted Pao on Bringatrailer. There’s a huge scene around Pao in Japan still, with great restoration services and aftermarket parts, like this company, http://www.speed-well.jp/pao/

Robert in LA
Robert in LA
7 years ago
Reply to  JB21

Thanks for the ‘speed-well’ link.

Robert in LA
Robert in LA
7 years ago
Reply to  JB21

By the way, if you want your own PAO, they can be imported under the ’25 year’ rule, and driven without modification. Try Google “Nissan” and “PAO”. And you will find cars delivered to the worlds major ports. Prices range between 6000 and 10000 USD. Here is an example: https://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/nissan/pao/

Bill Meyer
Bill Meyer
7 years ago

Another great choice for a film subject. Mr. Sanchez really nails the joy of oddball cars. Indeed, if it makes you smile who cares if it only has 50 horses. For many of us who aren’t “numbers crazy” a car like this is a real jewel.

Colby Shenkle (Leggera Creative)
Colby Shenkle (Leggera Creative)
7 years ago

Good film, would like to have learned more about the powertrain, maybe seen some shots under the hood, even if it wasn’t perfectly tidy.

JB21
JB21
7 years ago

It’s March (Micra) engine, 1.0 litre, single-cam.

Mike
Mike
7 years ago

What is up with that clock?! It is gorgious but doesn’t looks like an accessory with any of the Nissan Pao’s I am seeing online. I need to know more about this clock!
Clock can be seen at 3:34 or here: http://d.pr/i/GVs4

JB21
JB21
7 years ago
Reply to  Mike

That’s a Dalton kitchen clock. That has actually been a pretty popular mod on Pao.

Dayshay
Dayshay
7 years ago

Great video, as usual Petrolicious but how about giving credit at the end to the people who put it together? Some beautiful cinematography and editing done here, shouldn’t they get the credit they deserve?

David Zu Elfe
7 years ago
Reply to  Dayshay

It’s all well and good. I am living happily in the comments section, coming out once in a while when a film I made is published. 😀

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