Powering this island-bound beauty is a Carl Perez-prepared .030-inch overbore '74 Ford 351ci Cleveland. Rated at 10.5:1 compression, the Cleveland was rebuilt stock internally with the exception of a Competition Cams hydraulic cam and kit. On the outside, the 351 is fully equipped with a polished Edelbrock Performer 4V intake and B&M-protected 600-cfm Holley carburetor, a DUI electronic ignition, a set of Ford Motorsport finned-aluminum valve covers, and a set of homemade headers spinning those spent exhaust gases back through a 211/42-inch custom system outfitted with a pair of Magna Flow mufflers and MEGS exhaust tips. Souza also selected a small-block version of the compatible Ford C6 three-speed automatic and had it prepared by Waianae's Mal's Transmission using a B&M transmission reprogramming kit. The final link in the Effie's drivetrain is a Driveline's Hawaii custom-fabricated driveshaft.
Credit for the outstanding bodywork and PPG Pink Coral paint goes to Honolulu's Guy Azama. Custom modifications include a Fairlane Company-equipped forward-tilting Sir Michaels louvered F-100 hood, Vintage Ford Co. three-inch widened fiberglass rear fenders, and a filled and louvered tailgate with the license plate sunken dead center. Within the mirror-polished, stainless steel-lined F-100 bed you'll also find a new set of Fairlane Company chrome-plated bed runners along with refinished cherry wood planks.
Inside, local upholsterer Ronald Ruiz gets the credit for trimming the stock F-100 bench seat in gray velour. Other interior upgrades include Stewart Warner instruments and an Alpine audio system.
Souza is a member in good standing with the Hawaii Independent Cruisers, and shows his '56 big window locally. The truck has also attended the Cruise Paradise-Big Island Cruise-03 event, and was featured on a 2003 segment of My Classic Car with host Dennis Gage. We don't think Charlie's buddy will give away any other old trucks. Hopefully, he'll build the next one for himself.