SP Rides: A Necessary Evil
By Michael Kitchens
Name: Michelle Nishimura
Age: 37
Occupation: Retail Manager
Hobbies: Family, watching Criminal Minds and Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Playing Bejeweled
Year/Make/Model: 1936 Ford Pickup Street Rod
Color: Two-tone Matte Black and Satin Silver
Engine: Motor Z Crate 350, 4-barrel Holley carburetor, polished tunnel ram, polished alternator and valve covers, forged headers, Dual MagnaFlow exhaust system
Drivetrain: TCI 350 transmission, 9-inch Ford rear end
Exterior: 1934 frame, 1936 body and bed chopped 3-inch, koa wood bed, Guinness gas tank, 3-piece fiberglass fenders
Interior: Black Diamond tuck seats, Stewart gauges, polished dashboard pieces, tilt steering, Lokar shifter
Suspension: Mustang 2-kit with custom coilovers in the rear
Wheels and Tires: 185/70R 15s and 255/70R 15s white wall BFGoodrich Silvertowns
Something wicked comes your way when laying eyes on this chopped-top 1936 Ford Pickup Street Rod — a tricked-out, horror-detailed vehicle owned by Michelle Nishimura.
A fan of the television series Counting Cars, Michelle is fascinated by the modifying scene. She knows what she likes, and she enjoys cruising in this modified street rod alongside her husband, Darren. While traveling to cruises around the island, she’s content to let Darren customize their cars to his heart’s content.
“I’m pretty much a firm believer in letting him do whatever when it comes to our rides,” she says.
The Nishimuras are both members of a new club called VooDoo Street Rod. The club is dedicated to the more sinister-looking hot rods that frequent Oahu’s pitch-black asphalt. Any fan of the Resident Evil video game or movie will immediately recognize the creepy vibe going on with this vehicle.
The ride is a complete ground-up restoration. The 1934 frame has been refurbished and fitted to a 1936 body and bed, with the top chopped three inches and the body mated to three-piece fiberglass fenders. The exterior has been painted matte black with a satin silver top that is clear-coated.
Exterior wise, the body is covered with impressive details. First and foremost is the Resident Evil-themed additions such as the Umbrella Corp. logo and the ominous “Our Business Is Life Itself” vinyl graphic, which strikes a chord of terror in anyone who really knows what that symbolism stands for. Standouts are the incredibly vast grill and chromed mirror and lights, which adorn the front and rear of the vehicle. The gorgeous bed floor is made up of stunning koa wood and steel pieces, set off by a blacked out Guinness keg that doubles as a gas tank.
The centerpiece of the vehicle is the Motor Z Crate 350 engine, fitted with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor that is mated to a TCI 350 transmission for movement. An impressive tunnel ram sits among other highly polished pieces, including the alternator and valve covers. Forged headers mate to a dual MagnaFlow exhaust system for some low-end growl.
The vehicle is equipped with modern conveniences such as power steering, disc brakes and windows. A slick feature is the trick suicide doors that lead into the darkened interior. The seats feature a black diamond tuck amidst a polished dashboard filled with Stewart gauges. Even the chromed out steering wheel is fully adjustable.
A vehicle of this age will need modern suspension for safety and reliability and this one doesn’t disappoint. A Mustang 2-kit with custom coilovers in the rear has been added. Front and rear tires are fitted with 185/70R 15s and 255/70R 15s white wall BFGoodrich Silvertowns. The chrome dishes are immaculate and distort the asphalt surroundings in their wide reflections.
Michelle can’t get enough of this ride. She also enjoys the fact that she and Darren can cruise without worry of getting wet thanks to the roof over their heads. For the most part, though, she is comfortable just enjoying the moment. “I just go with the ride, and I like it,” Michelle says.
