I’d like to share the ownership history of the Cefiro I own in the United States.
The First Owner and Background
This Cefiro was previously owned by an enthusiast who ran a body and paint shop and had long enjoyed driving a Triumph TR4.
In September 2003, he purchased the car from a nearby Nissan dealership as a second vehicle, primarily to drive to golf outings.
The car was originally registered in July 1992, making it an early example of the facelifted (late-model) A31 Cefiro.
A Low-Mileage Example at the Time of Purchase
This is a two-owner car. The first owner kept it for about 11 years before it was passed on to the second owner.
At the time of purchase in 2003, the car had just 12,400 miles (19,938 km) on it. Considering its age, this was exceptionally low mileage. Being a one-owner, dealer-sold used car, it’s clear that the vehicle was already in excellent condition at that time.
How It Was Used
The second owner kept the car for about 14 years, but its use was very limited.
It was mainly driven once a month for golf and twice a year for longer trips back home. Today, the car shows approximately 64,600 miles (104,000 km).
What makes this car particularly interesting is how those miles were accumulated. Much of the driving was on medium- to long-distance trips, which generally results in less wear compared to frequent short-distance use.
Storage and Body Condition
The storage conditions were also exceptional.
For 14 years, the car was kept in a shuttered garage. Aside from occasional exposure to rain while out driving, it was rarely subjected to the elements.
One especially interesting detail reflects the owner’s professional background.
As someone in the body and paint industry, he never washed the car with water—not even the wheels. Instead, the car was consistently cleaned using a damp cloth.
As a result, even after more than 25 years, the car retains a natural gloss with no visible swirl marks, despite never being repainted or machine polished.
What Makes This Car Special
The value of this Cefiro goes beyond mileage or specifications.
It comes from how the car was owned, how it was used, and how it was cared for over time.
Cars with this kind of history carry a level of authenticity that numbers alone cannot fully capture.
Images of the shop where it was kept
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