Jerry Gugino is back, and brought back a rat rod to the 14th annual Dad’s Day car show coordinated by the Kauai Classic Cars and Kukui Grove Center.
“The rustier the better,” Gugino said of the 1926 Dodge that looked like a vehicle out of a futuristic movie. “This is a rat rod and getting to be popular all over. Remember me from Puuhale Towing? I moved to Arizona after Hurricane Iniki destroyed our island. I towed cars for the highway patrol for 22 years, but now I’m back.”
Gugino’s rat rod was one of more than 58 vehicles displayed Saturday at the Kukui Grove Center parking lot near the Ross Dress for Less and the UPS Store. Also on display was the new Kauai Independent Food Bank delivery truck that was made possible through a grant and contributions of community volunteers.
“For the first time in our history, we’re having judging,” said Harvey Maeda of Kauai Classic Cars. “Al Oppio of Sparks, Nevada, Liz Kerns of Reno, and Sean Smith of San Jose, California, brought over the trophies and will lead the judging in six categories by Al’s Rod and Customs in Nevada.”
Gugino’s rat rod took the Most Rust award. Maeda’s 1932 Ford finished as Best in Show, and Darrell Borrero’s Volkswagen was judged Best VW.
“I almost forgot,” Borrero said. “It’s now brown. I changed the color.”
Wayne Costa earned the Best Paint award, and Clifford Pimental had the Best Upholstery. Mike Olivas’ 1948 Fiat captured the Best Engine award for this year’s showing.
Kelvin Moniz, KIFB executive director, said car enthusiasts contributed more than 200 pounds of food during the four-hour car show that featured entertainment by a mobile disc jockey, Richard Rasay, and a mobile version of Metalhaus, distributors of Chemical Guys car care products.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
