As much as I love Japanese ingenuity, appreciate German engineering and Italian styling, I have a special place for American Hotrods. Today’s Nostalgic Wednesday is about Mr. Dean Moon.
Dean Moon
Who is Dean Moon? Dean Moon was a ” gear head” from Santa Fe Springs California who started at a young age building his first race car behind his dad’s cafe. He loved building cars so much that he created his first Moon fuel block during his high school shop class, created a mold, reproduced it and sold a couple.
a must have part for every hotrod junkie.
With skills of a machinist and mind of an entrepreneur, Dean created more custom parts and sold them. Some of his creations were Moon throttle pedals…
talk about foot pedal...
Moon fuel tanks (Hand pump option for constant fuel pressure to the system)
The Moon Tank
and Moon discs (hand-spun discs that claimed to add 7hp more if you’re running 190mph on the salt lands) and many more to mention…
genius!
His success allowed him to purchase his own shop and named it Moon Speed Equipment. He built parts for hotrods not only to show off his brand but also proved it’s worthiness on the Boneville Salt flats and drag strips.
Left to right, Dean Moon, driver Dante Duce, Brian Chuchua, and Roy Gammell, 1963.
His name became so famous among dragsters and rodders that he made a coupe of friends, like Roy Richter (Creator of Bell Helmets), Vic Edelbrock Jr (Edelbrock), Carol Shelby, Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama.
SEMA Show
Dean was one of the founding fathers of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, which holds a convention that brings together all automotive aftermarket and OE manufacturers, media and enthusiasts to showcase new inovations and products,yuppp SEMA.
Dean Moon passed on June 4, 1987. Moon Speed Equipment went slow and was sold to a close friend in Japan named Shige Suganuma.
yes plz
You guys probably figured out already by now that , yes today’s topic is about the origins of Mooneyes. So after purchasing the Moon Speed Equipment Company, Shige continued Dean’s passion, traditions and he boosted the company Mooneyes USA in Japan while keeping the California base.
Carol Shelby @ Moon Garage
The birth of JDM Hotrods and the Mooneyes Custom Hot Rods and Custom Show in Yokohama,Japan. Dean Moon maybe gone, but he has left behind a legacy that will live as long as there are Hotrods and custom builders with the famous “Mooneyes Sticker”.
meanwhile in Japan, a Hotrod show
Starting an empire from humble beginnings behind his dad’s cafe, equipped with the right mindset,tools, and friends; he proved to us that success can be found in things that we love to do.
remember
roots.
P.S. This Saturday is Coffee and Cars, you might spot a Mooneyes sticker on a classic!
-Mark@ Mayday