Hawaii

Harry Keiichi Nishiyama's 1939 Ford convertible of Hilo, Hawaii. Harry's chopped and channeled Ford was built in 1949.

Howard Yoshimoto's 1953 Ford Pick Up of Maui, Hawaii. Howard was an expert body and fender man, and the pickup was built at Henry's Auto Body in Wailuku in 1953. It started life as a 1953 Ford two-door sedan front half, and a 1952 Ford station wagon back half. The front was grafted onto the rear end, forming a "Ranchero" type pick up, 4 years prior to Ford Motor Company.

Ivan Peroff's 1956 Buick Century of Kanehoe, Hawaii. Built between 1957 and 1958, the car was sectioned, channeled, and powered by a supercharged Buick Nailhead engine.

Ivan & Victor Peroff's Chop Suey is a custom car from Kaneohe, Hawaii, symbolic of the innovative spirit and craftsmanship of the Peroff father-son duo. Renowned for their inventive automotive creations, the Peroffs embarked on the ambitious "Chop Suey" project, which spanned three years and incorporated parts from 16 different cars. Photo courtesy of Lisa Anastasia.

Tommy Henderson's 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan of Caledon, Ontario, Canada. Henderson, a member of the Roadmates Car Club, bought the car in original condition in 1960. He spent the next 18 years working on it before selling it in 1978. The car was known as The Green Machine. Last Tommy heard, the car had been sold to a collector near Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 1949 the Hono-Kai Timing Association was formed in Honolulu. Initially, it contained about 20 members. A stretch of Navy roadway was set aside for drags. One club pioneer invebted a timing device for 1/4 mile clocking that they used. Within three months enrollment had jumped to over 100. The authorities refused to cooperate and assign a spot for racing, so the activity ended. In June of 1951 the club decided to sponsor a Hot Rod Show in Honolulu's Civic Auditorium in order to help gain public favor. The show was called Honolulu Hot Rod Show.^[1]