When Glenn Barretto spotted this 1926 Model T 5-window coupe for sale nearly two decades ago, he was more interested in the condition of its frame and body than the state of its engine. So, despite the fact this classic automobile’s motor couldn’t turn over, he immediately forked over $4,000 for the car of his childhood dreams.

Wilson Montemayor is a fan of lowriders. He started off with hydraulic trucks back in the early ’90s and eventually transitioned into the classic Impala. In fact, he’s owned six different Chevrolet Impalas, mostly convertibles.

When Ron Bush began working as a mechanic, he’d take advantage of every opportunity to wrench on cars. It didn’t matter if it was his day off, or if he was working on his or a friend’s car, Bush’s motivation was to learn all that he could about car repairs.

Mel Alvaro recalls the day he first spotted this 1950 Studebaker Champion in Waimalu — and being shocked at the owner’s asking price. A stock car racer for 15 years, Alvaro’s heart was set on owning this third-generation model featuring the bullet-nose look, but his instincts told him now was not the time to buy. And so he waited.

Over the years, Willy Jones has owned many different rides, from American muscle to European luxury. He started out with Hondas, but import-wise he’s come to appreciate the Nissan brand in a big way. In fact, he especially loves Z’s, having owned a 280Z previously.

About 30 years ago, Patrick Gouveia recalls attending a Good Guys car meet in Pleasanton, Calif., purchasing this 1933 Chevrolet Master Town sedan that graces these pages and, with little time to sit back and admire this rare metal beauty that was now his, immediately taking off for the airport, where he was catching a return flight to the Islands.

It’s rare to spot a hot rod Chevy Nova cruising the streets of Honolulu — and even rarer to find a first generation model like this 1964 Nova out there. But Butch Ferreira, who’s owned at least 40 different kinds of vehicles since graduating from Farrington High, knew he had to have one.

One of Wes Teixeira’s favorite occasions is attending car shows and cruise nights with his showstopper of a ride — a 1930 Ford Model A pickup truck. Often, spectators will approach him and ask questions about the time-tested model, and Teixeira will oblige by explaining how these trucks were made and what they’re like to drive.

Born in Iowa but raised in Hawaii, Soung Young Son has only ever driven Nissans. At the young age of twenty-five he has owned three different Nissan 240SXs in his lifetime. When asked “why only Nissans?”, Soung related that he is a big fan of the D1 Street Legal competition held in Japan.

Many custom car owners on Oahu may recall that it was just a few years ago when the state enacted a reconstructed vehicle law that required all kit cars — like this week’s featured ride, a 1963 Volkswagen Dune Buggy — to have an engineered certification.