HANALEI — It sits outside on the road, and over the period of the Kaua‘i Food Bank’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive, has collected more than $1,000. The 1948 Woody International glistened in the morning sun in its vigil to
HANALEI — It sits outside on the road, and over the period of the Kaua‘i Food Bank’s Holiday Food and Fund Drive, has collected more than $1,000.
The 1948 Woody International glistened in the morning sun in its vigil to solicit passing motorists to contribute to the food bank via one of the signs inside its rear window.
Belonging to John Ferry, the girls working inside Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty said it is parked outside their shop almost daily.
Makai Ferry, a graduate of Kula Intermediate and High School, had the distinction of driving the vintage Woody from his home in Hanalei to its preferred parking along the highway adjacent to Quiksilver and Tropical Taco.
Brudda Kimo, the real estate office’s “social director” keeps an eye on the car from his vantage point on the lanai, the girls noting how good a job he does.
“John used to drive the Woody to the polo games when it used to play at ‘Anini Beach polo fields, but now that polo is gone, he parks it out here,” the Coldwell Banker staff said. “Now, it serves as a vehicle to help raise funds for the Kaua‘i Food Bank here in Hanalei.”
Makai said there isn’t too much information about the vehicle which still sports the original 1948 Hawai‘i registration on the back panel while complying with current registration bearing “Woody” from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A manufacturer’s identification plate on the firewall of the vintage car indicates the flathead six-cylinder engine cranks out 73 net horsepower at 3200 rpm and is capable of hauling up to 4,400 pounds.
It also indicates the car being of the KB-2 series manufactured by International Harvester in Chicago, Illinois.
Online sources state that IH produced 42 models with 142 different wheelbease lengths and load ratings from 1/2-ton to 90,000 pounds after being introduced in the mid-1940s as the K series.
The vehicles were known for their durability, pre-war design in a post-war era, and low pricing. The KB series was introduced as a followup to the K series with the major characteristic difference being a widened lower grill appearing like wings.
Another design feature involved headlamps which were integrated into the fenders, and the engine hood opens alligator style.
Makai said the majority of the original equipment has been kept and maintained, and the appearance of several termite holes in the moulding signal the need for another round of maintenance.
“It has so much wood, it is like a boat, almost,” Makai said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
