TO MOST people a cappuccino is a type of coffee.

Not many people know that it’s also a make of car. “It’s a tiny sports car from Japan,” says Gavin Radforth, who is proud of his silver Cappuccino, made by Suzuki. “It’s quite unusual, not many people have heard of it. It’s got a 657cc engine, turbocharged three cylinder.

“Suzuki brought 1100 over from Japan - 80 per cent were red and the rest silver, so it is quite rare. It is like a go-kart when you are in it - it’s really low to the ground.”

The car - which Gavin has owned for 20 years - has three roof panels that can be removed in warm weather to turn the car into a convertible.

Gavin, a children’s entertainer with the stage name Malteser, has a passion for classic and unusual cars - and it’s not surprising.

“My mum and dad have always had Morris Minors - my mum has had hers for 53 years and dad bought his 42 years ago. Dad also likes bubble cars, so I’ve grown up with quirky vehicles.”

Gavin’s first car was a 1962 Triumph Herald saloon. “It was a surprise present for my 18th birthday,” he says. “It was bright red - I was over the moon with it.”

He had the car until 2003, when a drunk motorcyclist ran into the side of it, writing it off.

In 2004 he bought a Triumph Herald 1200 Coupe. “I spotted it in Practical Classics magazine and bought it in Market Harborough close to the headquarters of the Triumph Sports Six Club for enthusiasts. It’s in signal red, like my first Herald - I would never sell it.”

As well as the sporty look of the Herald, one thing about Heralds that appeals to Gavin is the ease with which owners can work on them. “The whole bonnet assembly lifts forward so you can sit on the wheel and work on the engine. it makes it so much easier.”

In 2019 Gavin bought a blue Fiat 126. “It’s quite dinky but you can still take four people out in it,” he says. “It’s got a 700cc engine in the back. I got it from Hull and when driving it back on the M62 my partner Amanda was driving behind and said it looked so tiny beside the lorries.

“When I got it home my stepsons Joshua and Ethan jumped in - they thought it was a toy car.”

Gavin whose work running his company Rapide Entertainment takes him across West Yorkshire, needs a practical car with decent space to transport his wares. “I take a PA system, a unicycle and my circus gear. The Cappuccino has limited boot space so for work I drive a Peugeot Partner.”

Gavin and his family enjoy visits to classic car shows. “We take two cars. The kids come along and take pictures - we then judge which ones are the best. it’s really good fun.”

He is a member of various owners’ clubs including the Triumph Sports Six Club and West Riding branch of the Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club.

“We love the meetings, cars runs, rallies and all the different events held by the clubs. “

*Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club visit ytcc.co.uk

*Triumph Sports Six Club tssc.org.uk

*facebook.com/Rapide-Entertainment

*Would you like to appear in the T&A’s Me and My Motor?We are looking for people who love their cars and want to talk about them.

If you are interested email helen.mead@nqyne.co.uk