Guam Hot Rods
Where America's Car Enthusiast Begins
Photos
Photographer: James Wu and Thomas Shieh, MD
Some photos freelanced for Pacific Daily News
Articles and editorial written by Thomas Shieh, MD
Dodge Challenger: Rebirth of a Legend!
2008 1st Edition ChallengerDodge Challenger Rebirth. Limited to only 6,400 made in 2008. Guam's first badge number is 1914.
"I waited 2 years for this remake of the original 1970 challenger.....very nice. It won't replace the original, but at least Dodge kept a similar look...with a Hemi too!"
1970 Dodge Challenger RTSE.
"RT stands for Road Track, SE stands for limited edition or special edition model," he says. "In fact, the same car is in the movie "The Fast and the Furious" -- the orange car is that (same) car." Purchased nearly 5 years ago, he has worked his restorative magic upon the famous muscle car. "I took the original engine out of the car, which has now been restored. Other than just cleaning it up, we've done some other things to try to improve its performance -- an electronic ignition system, an aluminum radiator with dual bolt fans, a transmission cooler, and different things -- including a set of original 17-inch Boyd Coddington rims," Cruz says in an interview with PDN.
1992 Mustag Coup
The story of the 1989-1993 ford mustang lx coupe. It is light and quick which is why it was used as highway patrol car when it was new. they are capable of reaching over 130 mph with ease in factory stock form. 302 H.0 V8, 5spd, limited slip rear.
My car is a hot rod version. it has a F1R procharger supercharger, 410w V8, C4 race trans and a built 8.8 rear end. big disc brakes in the rear help slow it down real fast. rollbar was done in CA. Tom Collins
The story of the 1989-1993 ford mustang lx coupe. It is light and quick which is why it was used as highway patrol car when it was new. they are capable of reaching over 130 mph with ease in factory stock form. 302 H.0 V8, 5spd, limited slip rear.
My car is a hot rod version. it has a F1R procharger supercharger, 410w V8, C4 race trans and a built 8.8 rear end. big disc brakes in the rear help slow it down real fast. rollbar was done in CA. Tom Collins
1972 Buick Opel GT
The Opel GT looks like a miniature Corvette on the 70s Stingray Era. This car competed with the Grumpy Jenkins era Chevy Vegas. in the 1970s. And was completely retired in the late 1980s where it sat stored away until I discovered it. Because it had been stored away in a barn for years, it need lots of repairs and updating. So we installed a bored 355ci. Chevy small block coupled to a Powerglide racing transmission. Then we installed new lexan glass and a full funny car roll cage. Everything but the roof and quarterpanels is fiberglass. The rear end is a modified Chevy truck 12 bolt. The car has 14x32 Goodyear slicks in a tubbed rear and GoodYear Front Runners on the front. The Opel is naturally aspirated and highly modified with the best of parts. It ran a 7.93 on an alcohol injected setup on the mainland. But to save money, we converted it to 110 octane race gas. On island, its best time is 9.26 seconds in the quarter mile. Ed Cruz
2001 Pontiac Trans Am
The Trans Am was a specialty package for the Firebird, typically upgrading handling, suspension, and horsepower, as well as minor appearance modifications such as hoods, spoilers, fog lights and wheels. Four distinct generations were produced between 1969-2002. The cars were built on the F-body platform, which is also shared by the Chevy Camaro.
I have had this car since 2001. It is my daily driver. Modifications are LS 408, Jet-hot long tube headers through custom catted y-pipe, Borla Xr-1 muffler, TCI SSF3500 converter, etc. Rod Croes
The Opel GT looks like a miniature Corvette on the 70s Stingray Era. This car competed with the Grumpy Jenkins era Chevy Vegas. in the 1970s. And was completely retired in the late 1980s where it sat stored away until I discovered it. Because it had been stored away in a barn for years, it need lots of repairs and updating. So we installed a bored 355ci. Chevy small block coupled to a Powerglide racing transmission. Then we installed new lexan glass and a full funny car roll cage. Everything but the roof and quarterpanels is fiberglass. The rear end is a modified Chevy truck 12 bolt. The car has 14x32 Goodyear slicks in a tubbed rear and GoodYear Front Runners on the front. The Opel is naturally aspirated and highly modified with the best of parts. It ran a 7.93 on an alcohol injected setup on the mainland. But to save money, we converted it to 110 octane race gas. On island, its best time is 9.26 seconds in the quarter mile. Ed Cruz
2001 Pontiac Trans Am
The Trans Am was a specialty package for the Firebird, typically upgrading handling, suspension, and horsepower, as well as minor appearance modifications such as hoods, spoilers, fog lights and wheels. Four distinct generations were produced between 1969-2002. The cars were built on the F-body platform, which is also shared by the Chevy Camaro.
I have had this car since 2001. It is my daily driver. Modifications are LS 408, Jet-hot long tube headers through custom catted y-pipe, Borla Xr-1 muffler, TCI SSF3500 converter, etc. Rod Croes