Photos: Rick Cruz/Pacific Daily News

Guam Hot Rod club founder Dr. Thomas Shieh recently added this brand new snake to his stable of killer rides. Inspired by the Nicolas Cage movie “Gone in 60 Seconds,” Shieh has had his sights set on one particular snake, inspired by the Hollywood-famed Mustang, Eleanor.

Shieh says, “I have always been a fan of the Shelby GT500. I waited for the 2011 model, because it has the biggest modification on the supercharged engine in an aluminum block, lighter, more efficient, and more horsepower. This Shelby stands out for its 6-speed manual transmission, and was already supercharged from the factory.”

The island of Guam became a territorial possession of the United States in 1898. It was captured by the Japanese in 1941 and retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. American cars are not unusual on the island because of the presence of military personnel there.

The North Pacific island is about three times the size of Washington, DC, and contains just over 650 miles of roads. Shieh’s GT500, which is optioned with HID headlights and the SVT Performance Package, would be able to make short work of a trip around the island.

“I like driving down the southern part of the island, the scenery is beautiful and the road along the ocean reminds me of a drive back in Honolulu,” he says.

Through the Guam Hot Rod Club, Shieh and his friends organize local events to help out island charities. An upcoming “Hot Rods for Toys” get-together will benefit the Salvation Army. Earlier this year, another event supported the American Cancer Society. The group also gathers for monthly breakfasts, which must be quite a sight for the local inhabitants.