1991 Figaro Lottery – Application process and example of a winning ticket

The leaflet above was sent to Nissan dealers and given out to customers to explain how the lottery application process worked along with dates as to when you would be notified.

On the 14th of February 1991, ‘NISSAN NEWS’ (the official media channel of Nissan Motor Co Ltd) published a 5-page Press Release telling the world about the Figaro. Contained in this release was an unusual statement about the car’s ‘Price and Sales Method’. Read now.

To understand why they needed to clarify this we have to rewind the clock to 15 months earlier when Nissan launched the car at the 28th Tokyo Motor Show (26th Oct – 6th Nov 1989).

The reaction to the prototype on display was unprecedented from both the public and dealers. Nissan had already decided to limit the production to just 20,000 units over three batches, so this left them with a problem: what do you do when you have more customers than available cars? The solution to offer 100,000 lottery tickets was both initiative and fair as it gave everyone an equal opportunity to purchase a Figaro!

The tickets were issued in three batches to match the allotment schedule of the factory.

The Lottery Process

Below is a scan of a leaflet translated into English that explains how the Lottery system works the processes involved in applying and how and when you are notified.

Interesting Observations

February 14th was the 1st application date for 8,000 units along with the announcement about the car’s launch
March 14th was the 2nd application date for 6,000 units and the 15th of March was the deadline for the first application
April 6th was the announcement of who had won from the 1st application
June 16th was the announcement of who had won from the 2nd application.
June 17th was the 3rd application date for 6,000 units and the 15th of March was the deadline for the first application
June 29th was the announcement of who had won the 2nd application
August the 8th was the announcement of who had won from the 3rd application.
All cars were manufactured to order with a delivery time of 3 months after signing the contract
You had to take the application to the dealer you could not post it!
If desired you could withdraw from the process by not signing the contract within the given time frame
The car was no longer manufactured after 31st December 1991

Thanks to Claire Nicol for sending us a copy of the application form

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Example of a 3rd Lottery Sales Application Form – Customer Copy

Having seen the Figaro launch, you visited an authorised ‘Nissan Dealer’ and applied to purchase. The process involved the issuing of an ‘Application Form’ containing both the Nissan dealer’s information and the applicant’s ‘Figaro Club Membership Number’ (212382 was the lottery number see above).

You were issued with a copy and the dealer kept a copy. This must have then been sent to Nissan for entry into the actual lottery. We do not know if the winning tickets were generated electronically or physically. You had three chances to win because if your 1st application was unsuccessful you could then re-apply for the 2nd time and again for a 3rd time (see below).

Now probably like me, you have only ever read about this lottery with little or no supporting documentation that it had ever taken place. Until a few weeks ago that was when my email pinged with the subject ‘Rare find’ from member Chris Marien. Attached to the email was a copy of both the application form number 1820 and the winning ticket notification.

Interesting Observations

It looks like you were issued with a Figaro Club Membership Number
This was a re-application and assumes you have already applied under the second application and was unsuccessful
The deadline for applications was August 31st 1991
Reception day was February 17, 1919

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Example of a Figaro 3rd Lottery Winning Ticket

Below is the text printed on the back of the winning ticket

Interesting Observations

It is saying that if you receive this winning guide you must contact the above sales office (dealer) the complete the sales procedure
Winning and contract (ordering) are different. Please be careful
Delivery will be made within 3 months of the contract
The validity period of this prize is October 13th 1991
On the back they they congratulate the winner and state they were ‘elected’ from a large number on application
They request the winner to get in touch with the sales company to sort out payment terms, optional parts, car insurance etc.
The date of the negotiations will be set by the ‘car life adviser’ who will be in touch

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How did Chris come about owning this rare find?
I purchased 3 rare Figarist magazines on a Japanese auction site (Jauce.com), and I did not know that there were lottery tickets included in the sale. I used an online translator because I cannot read Japanese. I was thrilled that I had something really rare, because not many will survive in almost 30 years. But when
I got it first sight I spotted directly some kind of serial number and the red stamp and I knew it had to be something official and not merchandised.