As 266 cute Figaro cars gathered at Wroxall Abbey on Sunday for the car’s 25th birthday celebrations, even the sun smiled down on them.
Preceded by a glittering gala dinner dance on the Saturday evening, glorious weather put the final touches on the Pimms-soaked frolics as more than 500 Figaro fans congregated to party in vintage style on the show field.
With prizes for best turned out in each of the original classic colours, Topaz Mist, Emerald Green , Pale Aqua, Lapis Grey and a class for their funky ‘custom colour’ siblings, everyone was out to impress – but in friendly spirit.
Figaro Owners Club founder Kevin Fagan explains “The ethos of the club is to have fun, we don’t take ourselves too seriously and cars were judged not just for their condition but for how much the owner captures that Figaro fun and enthusiasm for their car. It’s not about mint condition but how well-loved they are.”
The award for ‘Furthest Travelled’ went to Heiko Hilsher, who had driven 1,152kms from Germany to attend the celebrations with his Lapis Grey named ‘Forest’, while vivacious Vron Wootton of Scotland was an outright winner for Best Party Car embracing the essence of Figaro ownership in her quirky and stylish Emerald Green ‘Roxanne’.
Warwickshire locals were treated to the spectacle of the cars travelling a 14 mile circular route convoy rally featuring flag waving and tooting along Birmingham Road (A4141) and Old Warwick Road (B4439).
Only 20,000 of the retro styled cars were manufactured and produced in Japan in 1991 with lottery tickets issued as demand exceeded supply after its launch at Tokyo’s Motor Show in 1989. Designed by Shoji Takahashi, it was manufactured by Nissan but sold without the Nissan name badge. Built with a Micra chassis, engine and added turbo, they were the first cars to have a CD player and were luxuriously equipped with leather seats, air conditioning, an open roof and bags of style, with a branding theme of ‘Back to the Future’.
Not surprisingly these distinctive little cars are increasing in value and popularity as they age, and are now officially ‘vintage’ as well as looking like it.
A charity raffle and proceeds from the Pimms, cream teas and other activities raised £995 for childhood cancer support organization CLIC Sargent.
Ends
Notes to editors
High-res images are available on request
Full selection available to view here:
http://clients.spoonerstudios.co.uk/20160605-figaro25th/
Link to drone aerial images:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9pcTIUcnKnTYlRnVXBFZTFGYnc&usp=sharing
Figaro Owner’s Club website http://www.figaroownersclub.com/events/birthday/
Saturday Gala Dinner
Diners 203
Quiz Winners The Garage of Figaros
Sunday Figaro Fair
Visitors 700 (est)
Car Numbers
Emerald Green 76
Lapis Grey 67
Pale Aqua 51
Custom 44
Topaz Mist 28
TOTAL 266
Awards
Category Name Reg Country
Furthest Travelled Heiko Hilsher EF-NFS Germany (Erfurt) 1152 Kms
Best Lapis Grey Shenna Harvey J888 SAH
Best Emerald Green Sue Eustace H180 LJO
Best Topaz Mist Vicky Fennel H209 CJO
Best Pale Aqua Jason Laws M7 FYG
Best Custom Colour Gemma Sheriff FIG 8083
Cleanest Engine Bay Lisa Bailey F6 ARO
Best Party Car Vron Wootton H604 NCY
Car of the Show Dave Sands FIG 21
Charity
Money raised £995
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