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This Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 replica is keeping historic Group B rallying in motion.
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This Nissan Pao Isn’t A Sports Car, Exotic, Or Pedigree Rich Racer, It's Just Different
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).
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.
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/
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/
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
