by Gabrielle DeSantis

Practically every list of affordable sports cars mentions the Mazda Miata, and for good reason. But new or used, it’s not the only convertible sports car out there. It’s not even the only Japanese option—it’s just that some never made it overseas. Thanks to the 25-year rule, though, these JDM rear-wheel-drive roadsters can now make it onto US roads. That means driving enthusiasts can finally get a taste of the Suzuki Cappuccino.

A Suzuki Cappuccino is like a smaller-scale turbocharged Mazda Miata

On a basic level, the 1991-1997 Suzuki Cappuccino shares a few things with the Mazda Miata. Both are front-engine, RWD convertible sports cars with relatively modest power. However, park them next to each other and their differences become clear. And the biggest one is that the Cappuccino is scaled “like a Mazda Miata that was left in the dryer,” Hagerty points out.

That size difference is because the Suzuki Cappuccino is a kei car. In Japan, space is at a premium. And after WWII, the country needed cheap and frugal ways of getting around. These needs spawned the ‘kei car’ vehicle class, which is still around today. Government regulations mean these cars are tiny and pack motorcycle-sized engines. But the owners benefit from inexpensive transportation that’s cheap to insure and run, not to mention easier to park.

And kei sports cars like the Suzuki Cappuccino enjoy a few more benefits. Although it’s less than 11’ long and 5’ wide, it’s also light. Depending on the trim, the Cappuccino “barely” weighs 1540 lbs, AutoExpress reports. True, it’s not as fast in a straight line as even an NA Mazda MX-5 Miata. But its 657cc three-cylinder engine is turbocharged, so it makes 64 hp and 76 lb-ft of torque in 1995-and-later, Driving.ca says. And with a bit of tuning, you can get 90 hp at the rear wheels, Road & Track reports.

Plus, like the NA Mazda Miata, the Suzuki Cappuccino has a five-speed manual and fully independent suspension. Some trims even offered limited-slip differentials. All Cappuccinos, though, have 50:50 weight distribution, Hagerty notes. So, like the Miata, they’re also a hoot to drive.

The most practical ‘ABC’ RWD kei sports car doesn’t skimp on fun, Hagerty says

Given that kei cars were originally designed for fairly utilitarian reasons, the idea of a kei sports car might seem odd. But it’s worth remembering that the Suzuki Cappuccino dates back to the ‘bubble economy’ era. Flush with cash, Japanese automakers could indulge in ‘less practical’ projects. Say, a convertible, RWD kei car.

The Cappuccino wasn’t the only kei sports car available at the time, though. There was also the mid-engine Honda Beat, another convertible. And those who wanted the supercar experience in a tiny package could get the Autozam AZ-1. If you hear someone talk about an ‘ABC kei car,’ they’re referring to these three.

While the Suzuki Cappuccino doesn’t have the AZ-1’s gullwing doors or the Beat’s mid-engine layout, it does have more torque. Combined with a lower curb weight and a wider power band, that makes it faster than the Beat, Hagerty says. It also has a larger trunk than either of the other two ABC cars, making it arguably the most practical. Plus, the Cappuccino’s roof is configurable—you can take it off or turn it into a T-top or Targa roof. And you can store it in the trunk, just like in the C8 Corvette.

But you don’t buy a kei sports car for practicality—you buy it for the experience. And the Suzuki Cappuccino delivers on that promise. The suspension and tires offer a surprising amount of grip, while the steering is “sharp and precise,” AutoExpress reports. Being narrow, the Cappuccino is easy to position within a lane or a corner. And its low ride height amplifies the sense of speed. If you love how the Mazda Miata handles, you’ll enjoy this Suzuki, too.

How much is a Suzuki Cappuccino worth?

All but the very last Suzuki Cappuccinos are eligible to import. And unlike the AZ-1 and the Beat, a few Cappuccinos were sold outside of Japan—specifically, in the UK. The downside is that UK-market ones offer fewer color options, AutoExpress notes.

Whether UK- or Japan-market, Cappuccinos tend to be fairly affordable. Most examples from importers like Toprank Importers and Duncan Imports go for $10,000-$12,000. But Cappuccinos on auction sites like Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids often go for $6000-$10,000. And as long as they’ve been properly maintained, they’re reliable cars. However, if you plan on modifying the engine, Hagerty recommends going with the 1991-1994 models. Their ‘F6A’ engines only make 63 lb-ft of torque, but they can stand up to more mods.

Regardless, if you want Mazda Miata fun concentrated into a smaller, more unusual package, the Suzuki Cappuccino might be worth a shot.

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Olympics is known for racing. Sometimes it includes racing on a track, in a pool, or on skis. There is probably an Olympic race for it if there is a way to move, except for car racing. 

Many have contemplated and even complained as to why car racing isn’t included in the international tournament. After all, Formula One drivers are internationally celebrated. Not to mention that multinational car companies sponsor youth racing programs around the world. It seems that some form of motorized racing would attract a large audience. 

Oddly enough, car racing was an event at the second Olympics in 1900. It was quite different from the strategies used for modern-day racing. Here is our look back at the car races held at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Multiple racing events

The 1900 Summer Olympics, or II Olympiad as it was known then, had several racing events. Some of which may sound odd compared to today’s racing standards. There were three events that included 2 seater cars, which may have appeared like a prototype NASCAR race, although NASCAR has an illegal origin story.

Other events included 4-seaters and 6-seaters. There was a race of gasoline and electric taxis. However, how these taxi races differed from the 4-seater race is unclear. 

Perhaps the most intriguing was the race of fire trucks: an exciting event, no doubt. If the fire truck race isn’t exciting enough for you, then perhaps the race of delivery trucks is more fitting. The delivery truck race was also divided into two categories: electric and gasoline. 

Winning drivers were unrecognized

According to The Olympians, the winning drivers went unrecognized. Instead, the manufacturers were considered the true winners.  While about 45 medals were awarded, none went to the actual drivers.

Due to poor record-keeping, we only know the names of a few of the drivers who competed. One of those was Gilbert Brown, the American who came first in the fire truck race. 

France utilized their home field advantage during these Olympic car races. Different French manufacturers dominated all the racing categories, taking a medal in nearly everyone. Not bad for a country that celebrates New Year’s Eve by burning hundreds of cars. 

However, Jalopnik reports that none of these races were “official” Olympic events. While winners were given medals, the International Olympic Committee does not consider these races to be legitimate. We think the International Olympic Committee should reconsider. 

Will racing ever be an official Olympic sport?

The Olympic committee is always adding and removing sports based on their fluctuating popularity. Some notable additions to this Olympics include rock climbing, skateboarding, and baseball. Will automobile racing ever join the ranks as an Olympic sport?

In a way, it already has. At least in the virtual sense. This summer in Tokyo, there will be competitions in the ‘sport’ of FIA Gran Turismo, the popular video game. Motorsports aren’t the only digital manifestation in this Olympics. Other video games include baseball, cycling, rowing, and sailing. 

While it is easy to be cynical and declare that this isn’t real racing or a real sport, professionals may disagree. The Association for Psychological Science has actually declared that the skills for video games and motorsports are quite similar. So much so that video games can be used to train people how to drive. Of course, video games will never have the same risk associated with real-life racing, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be popular. 

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