Here are a few photo's of the original builder, Robert "Longie" Gandall, with the Roadster as it appeared in the early fifties. You can see why his nickname was "Longie"! Being as tall as he was, there were a few mods to the chopped and channelled Roadster so he could fit in it. The floor is sunken and the cat walk above the trunk lid has been removed and the driver area extended. In the side view of the car you can see the longer rooftop.
How in the world has this'32 survived the Hawaiian rust that will eat everything metal up??????---Unbelieveable!
There are actually a few "built back in the day" survivors stashed around the island. I think a little luck and a little love have kept them from disappearing back into the earth. The salt air here is wicked!
That thing has such a classy look to it. I love it ! At first glance it looks like one of those Excalibers. I hope the car is being restored to its original glory so we can enjoy it all over again. I'm curious though, how did it manage to stay together in all that salty humidity over there?
There are patches where you can still see the red lacquer, but I think the thing that preserved it, is the last owner slathered "red lead" paint all over it with a brush. The same kind of liquid lead used in military and industrial applications. Better than undercoating and five times more toxic. Roadster will be hitting the road pretty much as you see it. Next April?! You guys not coming out here this summer? Not to worry though, John's garage doesn't give anything up easily. You'll see the Roadster for sure.
check out another thread here- Oakland Hot Rods.....1954 -first pic is of roadster with much of the same styling.
Here is the photo that was refered to.....it really looks like there was a Hawaiian style! Check out the Hawaii license plate frame and the cars name.....Hula Girl.
It was in April and not in our budget this year.. but next year its on! I'm digging the Hawaiian Style!! You gotta build one now hahahahahaaha
Oh yeah, thanks for that photo Ron. That's the Hawaiian Style right there! Probably a car built here in Hawaii and either sent to the mainland or the owner moved and took it with him. If I ever do build a Hot Rod it'll be pure HI Style for sure. I'm still a Kustom guy though.
Here's another early fifties, island built Hot Rod. I was told the history on this one, but can't remember the details. I'll fill you all in later when my memory gets refreshed. These photos are from an indoor car show here in Honolulu in 2006. I was practically crawling around on the ground checking out the hand formed rolled pans. Nice stuff. I think it had been newly restored when it appeared in this show. I'll be checking out this Roadster next week so will post more pics later.
was there one builder who was doing all of these or a small group of guys who did them. because they all have this "look" to them! like they were all related in some way besides where they were.
Several builders for sure, but from what I've learned there were a couple of guys that were especially good metal fabricators. There seems to be a lot of "Custom" mixed in with the Hot Rods here. Lots of moulding, frenching and metal forming. The style seems a little more akin to East Coast builds than the West Coast in my opinion. Don't know why that is, but I like it.
on a side note. my boss was in hawaii last year and he was talkin to a bloke who's setting up a drag strip over there (was just dirt at the time but they were getting it sealed). do you know aything about this? don't mean to hijack your thread, just woundering
I love it.. I might have to make some corrections to my roadster plans..;D it does look very east coast influence maybe some east coasters stationed there?? that's pretty interesting I wonder how long that trend lasted I have some photos that barris shot in hawaii in 65 and I don't remember seeing anything like that but i'll have to look again.. We will need to visit the owner of the back car as well that thing rules..
Indeed. Z, stretch, full fenders is my strategy with the '31 A. I'll also have a Deuce shell hanging low between the frame horns.
Note how the lowness, fenders, and level stance make for a sort of rod-custom crossover. One can almost see skirts on the back of that.
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