a Lexus with Moon Eyes... huh!

 

good looking 356 made better looking by adding Moon discs

https://www.automesseweb.jp/2022/05/27/1030132/_mg_2335

Thanks to Mark for this update on the Mooneyes documentary, they have had some screenings at different automotive museums and there will be an online screening next month for $15.

Craft of Speed has upcoming screening at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in Irvine, California live on November 16.

An online screening will also be available November 17-24.

https://japanesenostalgiccar.com/mooneyes-craft-of-speed-documentary/

https://www.craftofspeed.com/#screenings-section

Moon discs on a Prius! Moon makes stuff look better, has for about 7 decades!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7BTg4VSKk8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-prius-on-moon-discs-thats-it-thats-the-blog

The Mooneyes logo was refined in 1957 with help from a cartoonist for Walt Disney Productions

 I just learned that, but haven't learned the name of the artist yet, and probably never will.

 
https://archive.nytimes.com/wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/30/a-tribute-to-moon-the-man-the-machines-and-those-eyes/
https://www.speedhunters.com/2012/04/nhra-museumthe-legend-of-moon

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a46619090/mooneyes-documentary-hot-rodding-details

Mooneyes had an open house, and made a cool video of it (skip the 1st minute)

One of the bucket list events, the Mooneyes show in Yokohama. Thankfully Speedhunters.com was there to get some photos (Why don't they photograph more?)

Who ever designed this ought to get an award, and free paint for life

 

http://www.speedhunters.com/2021/12/japans-finest-hot-rod-custom-car-show/

I am sure I'd have a couple hundred photos to post if I was able to get there, just once.

An independent filmmaker is putting together a documentary called “Craft of Speed” about Mooneyes hot rod parts

The film is independent and low budget, and to fund the project, sponsorship opportunities are available via a crowdfunded effort . 

The goal is to raise at least $50,000 for the production and postproduction costs. 

Once completed, “Craft of Speed” will shine a light on the glory days of hot rodding, starting at the beginning of Mooneyes Speed Equipment, with the origin story of legendary Mooneyes founder Dean Moon and his worthy successors, Suganuma and Kodama.

For 30 years, Shige Suganuma and Chico Kodama, two Japanese hot rodders, built Mooneyes, an iconic American speed equipment & custom accessories company, into an international brand, honoring founder Dean Moon’s legacy and celebrating car & motorcycle culture. As Asian/Asian American pioneers in their industry, they battled against racism and xenophobia and ultimately earned their respect. Now, Shige is attempting to grow the company despite declining interest in hot rods, and Chico is handcrafting a new modified street rod to try to break his second land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Fundraiser is ongoing, but ends in April. 

The documentary was started in late October 2019, and though having shot a significant amount of footage the coronavirus has caused a temporar stop in shooting. However, to optimize time, they’ve been editing the existing footage. Plans are to resume shooting and finish the film by mid-2022.

https://craftofspeed.wedid.it/campaigns/8648  via https://lacar.com/support-the-craft-of-speed-mooneyes-documentary

I've never seen the Moon Eyes dragster getting assembled before, and look at the rack of tires in the background

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-shots-from-days-gone-by.428585/page-6423

I'll be damned, Moon Eyes 3.5gal tanks on the drum kit

https://www.reddit.com/r/drums/comments/ypbrh/frank_beards_new_zz_top_drum_kit/

By the way, I never paid attention to the lyrics of a lot of songs, just hummed along, but check out

Well I was rollin' down the road in some cold blue steel
I had a blues man in back, and a beautician at the wheel
We going downtown in the middle of the night
We laughing and I'm jokin' and we feelin' alright
Oh I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Yes I'm bad, I'm nationwide

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac
I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back
They sportin' short dresses, wearin' spike-heel shoes
They smokin' Lucky Strikes, and wearing nylons too
'Cause we bad, we nationwide
Yeah we bad, we nationwide

Well I was movin' down the road in my V-8 Ford
I had a shine on my boots, I had my sideburns lowered
With my New York brim and my gold tooth displayed
Nobody give me trouble 'cause they know I got it made
I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Well I'm bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, I'm nationwide, yes man!

in 1974 the Moonliner (built in 1959) was used for a Budweiser commercial, and became world famous not for accomplishing much on the salt, but for it's cool as hell design. I've seen it in 3 colors, but I've never seen it with a trophy, or time and speed

In 1964, Dean Moon (of MOON Equipment fame) purchased the V-12 Allison powered streamliner and swapped the V-12 out in favor of a BBC. In 1974 Budweiser hired it for a tv commercial, and while it was on the salt Gray Baskerville took photos of it in black and white

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/snapshot-1974-moonliner-set-make-a-giant-leap
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/1974-moonliner?family=editorial&phrase=1974%20Moonliner&sort=best#license

What I find weird? Is that some retired engineering group has a website, has used my photos (very courteously with a link credit) and just posted nearly exactly, what I just did here. Yep, I didn't find their site until after I finished the above https://lynceans.org/tag/mooneyes-moonliner/  and what more shocking, that some group of retired SAIC engineers (where I once worked) did a post on the Moonliner, that they did it 2 weeks ago, or that they've used my photos (on LSR) ? and BLOG!

https://lynceans.org/all-posts/land-speed-record-lows-and-highs-in-2019/

when I mention I've seen it in e colors, I mean the red above, and it's usual yellow, but also blue

https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/moonliner-was-standout-amongst-racing.html

some photos from Automobile Magazine's coverage of the Mooneyes show in Yokohama

full gallery of this car at:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2017/12/hot-rodding-a-classic-kei-car/

1962 Mazda Carol. Originally 'powered' by a 358cc four banger, the Carol has been widened and had an S&S V-twin transplant. A pair of extra vents have been added to the top of the rear guards for extra cooling. There are Brembo brakes all round and it rides on a set of Colorado Custom billet rims.

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/super-unicorn-dragon-fantastic-double-gallery-mooneyes-socal-japan/
https://www.whichcar.com.au/events/show-n-shine/mooneyes-yokohama-rod-and-custom-show-2018

31st Annual MOONEYES Street Car Nationals 2017

I've seen it in red, I've seen it in yellow, but this is the only photo I've ever seen of the Moonliner in blue and yellow

I shot a lot of photo of it in 2010 at the GNRS http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/moonliner-was-standout-amongst-racing.html

found on https://www.facebook.com/groups/getting.there/

I just learned that Mooneyes is having a Mothers Day car show at Irwindale this Saturday

Coolest car show poster I've seen in a long time

the Moon Trike, first time I've ever seen or heard of it

the Mooneyes cars at the Wally Parks NHRA museum

full gallery of the above Moonliner http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/moonliner-was-standout-amongst-racing.html

above is the car in the below photo

Pouncing Poncho, A/FX drag racer was at the Mopars at the Strip 2012 event

 love the mooneyes decals

Mooneyes Chevoom at the dragstrip in the late 60's (with a great transporter)

from http://www.flickr.com/photos/57343654@N03/sets/?&page=3