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Steven
Tavares `37 Ford Pickup
Oahu's
Scream`in Yellow Dream Machine
Posted
Tuesday, February 10, 2004. By Michael Diaz
Honolulu Streets Magazine
WHITMORE
VILLAGE, WAHIAWA – Some guys’ get it right the first time when they’re building a nostalgic rod and Steven Tavares is no
exception. With the help of some very special friends, Tavares spent
four and a half years meticulously building his 1937 Ford pickup
into Oahu’s very own Dream Machine.
What
some might think would be taking a step backward, a year after
buying a complete `37 pickup from the mainland, Tavares sold it and
bought a total basket case locally. Trucked all the pieces home with
the help of his good friend, and began building.
"It
was all in pieces when I got it," said Tavares. "My good
friend Daniel Gomes and I brought all the parts including the cab to
my house in the back of his '90 Ford pickup."
It
took some impressive talents on several different levels to actually
bring Tavares pickup to what it is. Starting with smoothing out all
the bumps and then filling his spray gun with `93 Subaru electric
yellow, which he laid down flawlessly for the pickups final finish
coat in his garage. Flames were always on his agenda too, so Tavares
looked to classmate Albert Amper of Waialua to mix up a great
combination of red, white `n orange flames.
The
list of friends who helped is quite long but be assured that Tavares
did most of what makes his truck so special all on his own. As a
matter of fact, there are so many trick and unique things that it
would take you weeks to spot them all. Starting with the biggest and
ending with the smallest of them has got to be the amount of work
that Steven and Daniel put into hand-forming the bed as well as
other sheet-metal items. Then, there’s the skull hood ornament
that lights up when the headlights are turned on.
If
you’re wondering about that little car club plaque just below his
rear license plate that reads ‘Wanderers, it’s a very real hot
rod club that Tavares and fiends formed about two years ago.
Right
now they’re nine members strong and growing. Keeping with
nostalgia, reminiscent of the 1950’s – according to the
Wanderers Vice President, Steven Tavares, anyone can join as long as
you have a car that is 1969 or older and the club unanimously votes
you in. You also have to be invited to a meeting by a member first.
With
the completion of his `37 pickup and the formation of the Wanderers,
there’s no doubt that nostalgia thrives on Oahu.
Below
are a few facts about Tavares Dream Machine along with a list of
club members. If you’re thinking about joining, just look for a
Scream`in yellow `37 Ford pickup and tell Steve you want in.
Facts:
1937 Ford Pickup
Owner/
builder: Steven Tavares
Engine:
1972 Chevelle 307ci. With Six 97 cfm Stromberg carburetors. Two
middle carb’s are functional; the remaining 4 are blocked off.
Transmission: 1972 Chevelle turbo 350-w/shift kit.
Rear end: `55 Chevy
Rims
& Tires:
Wide whitewalls: Stockton Wheel Co.
Painted Steelie Wheels:
Pete Paulsen's.
Rear / 15x8. Tire size: 225-70R15
Front / 15x6. Tire size: 205-60R15
Upholstery
/ Interior:
Red and white tuck & roll by Bob Arkus Custom Upholstery.
Gauge panel / Aluminum dash inserts
made by classmate
David Damas.
Gauges: VDO cockpit white
series with matching clock.
Lokar nostalgic shifter, Lokar handbrake, Ron Francis wiring.
Refurbished original `39 Ford Deluxe Banjo steering wheel.
Bodywork
/ Paint: Steven Tavares
Paint: `93 Subaru Electric Yellow
Pinstriping & custom artwork: Cosmic Airbrush.
Flames: Designed and sprayed by
classmate Albert Amper.
A
little run down on the Wanderers Car Club Members:
President: Dick Krupa
Vice President: Steve Tavares
Secretary: Rodney Rodrigues
Treasurer: Arlene Krupa
Membership Officer: Pauline D. Rodrigues
Sergeant At Arms: Daniel Gomes
Other members include: Kenneth (Sumo) Hiromoto, Russ Lee and Carol
Lee.
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