If you make your way over to the 50th state, you can find five different types of cars for parts or restoration. With the exception of one of them, there isn’t a lot to be hopeful for. They range from coupes and a van to a pickup and a sedan. These forgotten cars of the last 60 years can be found in Honolulu, Hawaii and are available here on craigslist for $500 a-piece. Thanks to rex m for finding this tip for us. The oldest of the cars here is a third-generation 1961 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. This was the first of two years that the bubble top 2-door hardtop was offered. Identified by its thin pillars and an abundance of glass, the body style was only available on the Impala in ’61 and then the Bel Air in ’62. While a variety of engines could be had in the ’61 Impala, there were only 142 bubble tops built with the impressive 409 V8. The seller’s car looks like a rusty mess and appears to have been wearing blue before switching to red.
1978-82 Chevrolet/GMC G-Series Passenger Van
Next up is a multi-window passenger van that appears to be from the 1978-82 era of Chevy or GMC G-Series of products. This run of vans was produced between 1964 and 1995 and what’s left of this one looks to be from the middle years, sold by both Chevy and GMC dealers. Most of the front-end of the seller’s edition is either badly damaged or missing, including the powerplant. What we can see of the body suggests it’s been sitting for quite some time and Hawaiian rust has set in.
1978-87 Chevrolet El Camino
Except for the first two years of the El Camino in 1959-60, it was always patterned after the Chevelle of the day. This included the fifth generation which was built for most of the 1980s. Besides being rusted wherever you look, the seller’s El Camino seems to have a farm growing out of the bed. Me thinks that’s because that area of the pickup has rusted straight through and Mother Nature has taken over. So, unless you’re interested in turning this one into a Chia pet, I’m not sure what might be of value.
1981-88 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
From the time the Monte Carlo debuted in 1970, it was a staple for much of the next 40 years. The fourth generation is widely known for its domination on the NASCAR racing circuit, piloted by the likes of Dale Earnhardt. There isn’t much left of the seller’s Monte Carlo from the opera windows forward. What’s there looks as though it was painted white before it went to red, too. Perhaps there is some of the aft sheet metal that can be harvested, but I doubt it.
1995-99 Nissan Maxima or Infiniti I30
Not real sure about this one. It could be either a Nissan or an Infiniti from the late 1990s. If so, it looks to have the most promise of anything offered here. The sheet metal and paint look good and it actually has wheels and tires. Perhaps a mechanical issue brought it to rest in this field more recently than the rest of the collection. $500 might actually be a bargain for this one.
If any of you happen to be in Hawaii this Christmas, be sure to check these finds out! If nothing else, it would be an interesting spectacle to see in person. Mele Kalikimaka to you all!
The rainforest is devouring these cars. Certainly difficult to think anyone off the islands could possibly be a buyer.
$500? – sounds expensive for a planter.
angliagt….
$500 sounds about right…it includes automatic sprinklers….when the gods decide to water, your ready…
this is the fun of going car (wreck) spotting while on any tropical island. Doesn’t make economic sense to drag them out of the shrubs but it’s neat seeing what parts are left behind, like the wheels on the Elca.
That last car (grey sedan) is looks to be a first-generation Lexus GS300, not a Nissan or Infiniti.
(though with 1990s Japanese cars, pretty easy to mistake them for one another)
You are correct, the center cap on the wheels have the stylized L which Lexus uses…
The only Hawaiian I know is “come-onna-wanna-laya”.
Proper spelling is “kamanawanalaya.” It’s a cure for lakanooki.
The automotive Jurassic Park.
Hope someone saves the Bubbletop!
I don’t know why everyone says the 61was the first bubble top. Didn’t anyone ever look at a 59-60 sport coupe?
Was it on here just yesterday , or maybe the day before where the duplicate of the ’61 bubble top was listed as being in Hawaii, Oahu,,,,, I think. It was a tri-power 348 Super Sport with a 4 speed with factory A/C,,,,,,,, Red also. Strange DEJA VU sort of day , this Christmas 2020 huh .
Thought that too – almost as one would start thinking they don’t like ’61 ‘palas on Hawaii…?
Mele Kalikimaka rust rust rusted is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That’s the island greeting that we send to you home with a classic car today.
From the land where palm trees sway and rusts prevails with sea salted items.
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day, and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas to you
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That’s the island greeting that we send to you
Its the Island that keeps on giving
I’m not 100% sure, but I assume there isn’t scrap metal processing on the islands. So I imagine hulks need to get shipped back to the mainland. That can’t be cheap.
Evan,
Same basic situation as found all over the smaller islands in the Caribbean, you’ll find vehicle hulks all over the islands because [as you correctly pointed out] there are few scrap processors available, and the expense to transport them off an island is cost prohibitive. Most of the hulks have been stripped of all valuable parts.
In the 1980s I worked in Barbados for a while and discovered the scrap processors charged to ACCEPT iron & steel, and the other metals don’t bring much at all. Certainly doesn’t come close to paying for the fuel to transport the scrap.
We had an older Mazda pickup with a badly rusted bed, the scarp guy wanted 80 Bajan Dollars [$40 USD] to take the bed, so we filled it up with stuff to send to the landfill, and having already cut the bed off and then tied it onto the frame with rope, drove the 10 miles to the landfill, disconnected the rope and tipped it all off into the ravine. The costs for landfill was only 20 Bajan Dollars!
Then took the truck to a local welding shop where they made a nice angle iron frame with a solid 2″ thick mahogany wood bed! [Mahogany on the islands is cheaper than pine!]
There is one car shredder in Honolulu. As for shipping to/from the Islands it cost about $1,500 one way. Shipping cars between islands is $400 to $700 depending on size and weight.
https://www.schnitzersteel.com/company_locations.aspx?View=Detail&ID=21
Turds from a turd run state. At least you can sneak into California and still get a decent car. If the nusence does not tax you to death doing so.
Fran,
Sounds like you haven’t seen much of the world….you should get out more, there are ALOT of beautiful sights to see and even more beautiful people to meet.
Ray, I have been to Hawaii twice. I have been on the “Big Island” and seen the beauty of it. Have you ever seen a waterfall flowing up? It’s quite a sight. I have seen a few things (places) in my life. Don’t worry.
Hawaii, is a S&^% state like California, New York and many others.
Now get back to your Amazon order.
Perhaps we can send Governor Nonsense to Hawaii.
He likes to control a bigger population. LOL
Anyway, this is quite a conversation. I get a kick out of people who attack. They are so funny…I never remember cars guys doing that, but it was about fun back in the 70’s. The car hobby is just not the same.
Anyway my sister and her family moved to Hawaii a long time ago, they shipped a brand new Chevrolet there and within a year or two is was looking like the red car. Amazing how the salt air just attacked it.
“Fran”-
Please keep your “turd”-slinging politics off of this site.
It just goes to show how absolutely ignorant and stupid you are for (metaphorically) throwing entire states in the garbage (probably because you disagree with their predominant political leanings).
While I might disagree with the predominant politics of, say, Texas or Alabama, I would never treat these places with such blind disrespect. Unlike you, I respect other peoples’ opinions, and realize that there are many others residing in said states who share my own beliefs.
I am absolutely sick of people giving my New York home such a hard time, and I know that many others across the world have similar feelings.
You, on the other hand, likely have no idea that the whole state isn’t just one big city…
*A note to the moderator: Take my post down if you have to, but delete Fran’s, too. He/She is breaking the same rules as I am.
We just left the Binghamton area. Moved to a much better run state. Lol. Good luck to you! Keep collecting! (Cars, right?)
M.C.S.,
Well said. In response to the next comment from Fran, I’m curious to hear what better run state they moved to.
I’m happy Fran left New York. I don’t think we will miss Fran a bit. Note to Fran: Don’t come back when wherever place you moved to runs out of water. BWAAAHHHHAAAAA!!!!!!
Bill and Ike-
Thank you for backing me up!
Actually, the Titanic looks in better shape then these relics. Perhaps they should be set in the ocean for a marine habitat.
Was in Tahiti in 1980. Primitive as opposed to today.
Found a 66 red Mustang convertible rotting away.
Way too far gone then. Worth nothing then. Bet it’s gone into the ground
Nope.
Make an artificial reef out of them, or better yet push them into a volcano as a sacrifice to the gods of expired automobiles.
Man, those bubbletops were beautiful cars! Not exactly Arizona for preserving cars though.
The Island of forgotten lovers! From dust to dust! Shame!
Evan,
Same basic situation as found all over the smaller islands in the Caribbean, you’ll find vehicle hulks all over the islands because [as you correctly pointed out] there are few scrap processors available, and the expense to transport them off an island is cost prohibitive. Most of the hulks have been stripped of all valuable parts.
In the 1980s I worked in Barbados for a while and discovered the scrap processors charged to ACCEPT iron & steel, and the other metals don’t bring much at all. Certainly doesn’t come close to paying for the fuel to transport the scrap.
We had an older Mazda pickup with a badly rusted bed, the scarp guy wanted 80 Bajan Dollars [$40 USD] to take the bed, so we filled it up with stuff to send to the landfill, and having already cut the bed off and then tied it onto the frame with rope, drove the 10 miles to the landfill, disconnected the rope and tipped it all off into the ravine. The costs for landfill was only 20 Bajan Dollars!
Then took the truck to a local welding shop where they made a nice angle iron frame with a solid 2″ thick mahogany wood bed! [Mahogany on the islands is cheaper than pine!]
That last one is a 94 Lexus GS300 not a Nissan or Infiniti. FYI
Did any of these cars run when they were parked?
If they sit there long enough, they may become food for lava!
Merry Christmas Eb’one!
I had a red ’59 Healey 100-6 that I sold to a dealer
(Love-Thomas Motors) around ’76.First car my Wife & I went
out in.It was a 4 seater.
Wonder if it’s still around.
Sad to look at. Drain the fluids and dump em in the ocean and become part of a coral reef. At least theyd serve a purpose.
Thank you M.C.S. for your comment about the “special & entitled” contributor Fran.
We are out of NY, we do miss the Finger Lakes, many beautiful sites, but there are other things that we do not miss. We moved to a much nicer place to live, in fact I got to drive a few of my cars just last week, it is so cool to be able to drive a old car down a road in the “Winter Time” where in NY the embattled roads were enough. Not to mention the salt, it seems like those salt trucks come out earlier every year. I do not feel entitled to drive, but very lucky to be in God’s country! For me it is a nice feeling that I can probably drive my cars again next week after the New Year! Cheers to that! Merry Christmas to all on here and lets hope for a Great Year!
I gotta say that I sure don’t miss the snow and clouds up in Ohio. This is prime weather time here in Tampa, but it got cold today, high of 55, yet sunny. Mid 70s come back in a couple of days. Sure, the summers are hot, but my garage is air conditioned, and I can hang out there and work on the cars year round. No complaints.
Nice “RIV” Rex! FLA is nice! No State Income tax, like my new State! Gotta love that also! I bet there are still nice solid cars to find there!
Happy to help.
I am glad to see that I am not the only one who believes in mutual respect!
Yes! Thank you for all your mutual respect!
You did your job boys.
I think I will go for a nice ride now. Enjoy your day, it’s a beauty!
Shows that all of Hawaii isn’t a paradise.
1959 1960. 1961 were impala sport roofs and 1962 was bel air sport roof. Ask Google for pictures. I saw every ones of these in person at local dearlershipshow room in my youth. Jim B.
The only thing worth saving from this Hawaiian jungle find is the glass.