SP Rides: Cashing In On A Super Sedan
By JERRETTE KAMAKA
OWNER: Patrick Gouveia
YEAR: 1933
MAKE: Chevrolet
MODEL: Master Town sedan
ENGINE: 383 ci Chevrolet all-aluminum small block, Ross pistons 9.7:1, Comp cam 600 lift 225 duration, hydraulic rollers, Oliver connecting rods, steel crank, 4 bolt splayed main caps, AED 750 double pump Holley carburetor, headers, Boiler mufflers
DRIVETRAIN: 700 trans, 9 inch Ford rear end w/aluminum 3rd member with Detroit Locker, 3.89 ratio
SUSPENSION: Mustang II rack and pinion front end, stainless tubular control arms, coil over shocks, rear semi elliptic, 4-wheel disc brakes
WHEELS: Halibrand
ELECTRONICS: DUI distributor
INTERIOR: Custom velour upholstery, power windows, power seats, air condition, telescopic steering wheel
STEREO: Sanyo AM/FM cassette deck, Sanyo speakers
EXTERIOR: Mazda Miyata blue, french antenna, electric trunk release, hidden gas cover, custom tail lights
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.
“I wanted a three-window coupe, and I went to the Mainland about
four or five times looking for cars, and one time I was going to buy a ’32
Ford Victoria,” explained Gouveia, who’s enjoyed a variety of careers as a journeyman mechanic for the city, a poultry farmer and real estate developer. “Anyway what the guy wanted for this car at the time, I thought he was kind of nuts, but I never say anything. I was in a rush. But the guy sent this car out to be built, and I think he had about that amount of money invested in it.”
Before leaving the West Coast, however, Gouveia asked his sister-in-law to make arrangements so the car could be towed to Oakland about 30 miles away, and from there shipped to Hawaii. Little did he know at the time how close he was about to come to selling his latest automobile purchase for a healthy profit.
According to Gouveia, some stranger successfully flagged his sister-in-law and tow truck driver down while en route to O-Town and promised to pay $60,000 for the sedan. But Gouveia’s relative would not accept the offer, replying “‘Oh, no! My brother-in-law just bought this car and wouldn’t want to sell it!’” remembers the Waianae High School product.
Today, Gouveia chuckles at the memory and the missed opportunity at making a nice chunk of change. Still, he’s happy to call this rare Master Town sedan — which some may confuse for a Victoria because of their similar body styles, although the ’33 Chevy possesses subtle differences in its bodylines, particularly with the front fenders and trunk — one of his most prized automobile possessions.
The sedan has a bevy of impressive features for car lovers, including a 383 ci Chevrolet all-aluminum engine, Mustang II rack and pinion front-end suspension, Halibrand wheels and custom velour upholstery.
