Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Maeda’s ‘31 Ford: A classic by itself
 |
| This 1931 Henry Ford deluxe Model A five-window coupe, owned by Kaua‘i’s Harvey Maeda, features a stunning onyx black exterior. Photos by Leo Dubois/The Garden Island |
By Leo DuBois - The Garden Island
Harvey Maeda’s genuine 1931 Henry Ford deluxe Model A five-window coupe is made totally of metal and is not a fiberglass kit car.
The stunning onyx black ‘31 has a 327 Chevy with a 350 turbo hydro transmission with a modified drive chain, an eight-inch Ford rear end and a tri-power set up on the carburetor.
This unique deluxe Ford also sports dome lights and a roll down back window allowing the driver to speak with passengers in the “mother-in-law” rumble seat. After the Model A reached Kaua‘i, Maeda added a full engine cover to give the car a smoother, more solid look.
Maeda was browsing the Internet one evening when he discovered this gorgeous little ‘31 and learned that it was being sold out of Texas. Noticed the car was taking a long time to sell, he e-mailed the owner and followed up with a phone call the next day.
Maeda began asking a series of probing questions and discovered that mounting medical bills had forced the owner to finally sell his classic, and the bank was now holding the title to the car.
Maeda hired an auto insurance appraiser from Texas to check out the car and send him a series of photos.
“The pictures of the ‘31 just came out and bit me because it was shiny jet black and the body was still straight,” Maeda said. He knew he was going to buy this car, but at what cost? It took nearly four months of polite and savvy negotiations to finally bring the buyer and seller to a firm handshake.
“The hardest part of closing the sale comes during negotiations,” Maeda said. When Maeda finally sent the down payment to show good faith, the seller knew he was serious, and so did the bank.
Once the sale closed, Maeda arranged shipping through a special trucking company that only ships classic cars in specially enclosed containers. The company made all the arrangements from the owner’s home to Nawiliwili Harbor via Matson.
After the Model A finally arrived, Maeda immediately got an insurance policy and the safety check, but because the car came from Texas, there was no weight on the paperwork so he had to get the car officially weighed as required by Hawai‘i law for tax purposes.
Maeda also picked up a horseless carriage plate that he has on most of his cars because there is a discount on the registration if the car is over 30 years old.
Of all the cars Maeda owns, this 1931 custom deluxe Model A is probably his favorite.
The car must be seen up close to be truly appreciated, because photos just don’t do it justice.
On Saturday at Kukui Grove, Kauaians will have a unique opportunity to see Maeda’s beautiful classic along with more than 50 of the island’s hottest cars, trucks, and bikes.
The 5th Annual Father’s Day “Just for Dads” auto show will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and must not be missed. Bring your cameras and snap up some of the dreamiest custom rides you will ever witness together in one place on Kaua‘i.
Anyone wishing to share their classic auto may find out more information by contacting Richard Aki at 482-0688 or Harvey Maeda at 651-2813 or harveyskoi@juno.com
To view a short video of Harvey Maeda’s ‘31 Classic Ford, click on the “TGI video” link at www.kauaiworld.com.
Watch video
footage online
of this classic 1931 Ford in action as part of The Garden Island’s recurring series on Kaua‘i’s Classic Car Club and check back each week for a new classic.
The stunning onyx black ‘31 has a 327 Chevy with a 350 turbo hydro transmission with a modified drive chain, an eight-inch Ford rear end and a tri-power set up on the carburetor.
This unique deluxe Ford also sports dome lights and a roll down back window allowing the driver to speak with passengers in the “mother-in-law” rumble seat. After the Model A reached Kaua‘i, Maeda added a full engine cover to give the car a smoother, more solid look.
Maeda was browsing the Internet one evening when he discovered this gorgeous little ‘31 and learned that it was being sold out of Texas. Noticed the car was taking a long time to sell, he e-mailed the owner and followed up with a phone call the next day.
Maeda began asking a series of probing questions and discovered that mounting medical bills had forced the owner to finally sell his classic, and the bank was now holding the title to the car.
Maeda hired an auto insurance appraiser from Texas to check out the car and send him a series of photos.
“The pictures of the ‘31 just came out and bit me because it was shiny jet black and the body was still straight,” Maeda said. He knew he was going to buy this car, but at what cost? It took nearly four months of polite and savvy negotiations to finally bring the buyer and seller to a firm handshake.
“The hardest part of closing the sale comes during negotiations,” Maeda said. When Maeda finally sent the down payment to show good faith, the seller knew he was serious, and so did the bank.
Once the sale closed, Maeda arranged shipping through a special trucking company that only ships classic cars in specially enclosed containers. The company made all the arrangements from the owner’s home to Nawiliwili Harbor via Matson.
After the Model A finally arrived, Maeda immediately got an insurance policy and the safety check, but because the car came from Texas, there was no weight on the paperwork so he had to get the car officially weighed as required by Hawai‘i law for tax purposes.
Maeda also picked up a horseless carriage plate that he has on most of his cars because there is a discount on the registration if the car is over 30 years old.
Of all the cars Maeda owns, this 1931 custom deluxe Model A is probably his favorite.
The car must be seen up close to be truly appreciated, because photos just don’t do it justice.
On Saturday at Kukui Grove, Kauaians will have a unique opportunity to see Maeda’s beautiful classic along with more than 50 of the island’s hottest cars, trucks, and bikes.
The 5th Annual Father’s Day “Just for Dads” auto show will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and must not be missed. Bring your cameras and snap up some of the dreamiest custom rides you will ever witness together in one place on Kaua‘i.
Anyone wishing to share their classic auto may find out more information by contacting Richard Aki at 482-0688 or Harvey Maeda at 651-2813 or harveyskoi@juno.com
To view a short video of Harvey Maeda’s ‘31 Classic Ford, click on the “TGI video” link at www.kauaiworld.com.
Watch video
footage online
of this classic 1931 Ford in action as part of The Garden Island’s recurring series on Kaua‘i’s Classic Car Club and check back each week for a new classic.
 |
 |
|
| Island History for Friday, June 19, 2009 | Paws to Read completes afterschool reading program |
Related headlines
- Maeda s 31 Ford: A classic by itself
- Ron Ceridono s 1931 Ford Model A pickup
- Catiggay s 67 miracle Mustang
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
RSS