If you have a keen infatuation with roadsters then you would know a thing or two about the hard top convertible Suzuki cappuccino.
A design architecture managing director Zubed Ali is a proud owner of “Yakuza” a modified and street legal Suzuki cappuccino race car.
Mr Ali said his car was one of the limited quantities that were produced by Suzuki Motor Corporation around the world during its time.
“The cappuccino which weighs 725kg (1598lb) was originally equipped with a F6A 5 speed manual, inline three-cylinder engine, 657cc DOHC engine (just under 0.6 litre maximum displacement allowed for a Keri Car) which is turbocharged and front mount intercooled with car length and width,” he said.
“The vehicle has a power output claim of 63 hp (47kw, 64 PS at 6500 rpm) and its factory tyre size is 175/60 R14, which was modified to a 195/60 R14 on deep dish wheels and has factory leather pack interiors and take-off body kits.
“The car is a two-door, two-seat car hard top convertible. It has three removable roof penal meaning that the car can be used as a closed Coupe, T-Top, Targea or on retraction of the rear window and roll bar, a full convertible and its rear window/rollcage assembly retracts into the body behind the seats unlike many other convertibles.
“The cappuccino was also called a sporty k-car.”
He said the Yakuza’s dash meter was up to 140km and his friends had highlighted that he had driven the car above 200km/h.
“From my primary school days I would have exotic car pictures on my school book covers and I even took a mechanical subject in high school to better understand cars,” Mr Ali said.
“After reaching university my passion increased and I started going to car races and I thank God (Allah) for giving me all that.
“It was my dream to own a sports car for myself which should be unique. I always have a soft spot for convertible cars which are very rare in the country. “
He said his dream car was anything exotic and on the top of his list was the Subaru WRX STI which was already parked in his garage with some modification going on it now. It has a GC8 model for drag racing only and will be launched in the track soon.
“There is a lot of modifications work to be done on cappuccino in 2017 and it will be my project for car shows only,” he said.
“The bond between me and my cars are further strengthened by the love of driving and the familiarity of the environment within the car, knowing the exact way my car takes a certain turn with the mirrors and seats adjusted just for me really creates comfort for my driving.
“Many people choose to modify their cars to improve their performance and there is no shortage of modification option for car enthusiasts.
“Some fundamental steps you can take to improve the performance of your car includes maximising the efficiency of the air and exhaust flow and replacing suspension components to improve handling.
“Eventually, you may even want to consider adding a form of forced induction or you can do the interior and exterior modification to give a sporty look example body kits, spoiler, interiors and sounds.”
He said he would like to thank the Fiji Car Club for organising the drag race and car shows as it will boost people’s interest in cars.
