Coming Event:
MOONEYES
X'MAS PARTY Show & Drag
DEC. 11, 2010
Irwindale Speedway
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CQQL FACT – Found at Carroll Shelby
The Photograph above was taken by Dean Moon behind his house, next to a gold course. That’s Carroll Shelby in the driver’s seat and his secretary at the time. This was the very first promo photo of the Shelby Cobra.
February 1962 – The first 260 Roadster, minus engine and transmission, is air freighted on February 2, 1962, to Shelby’s shop in Southern California. Carroll has a dream revealing to him the name Cobra appearing on the front of his car. In Carroll’s words, “I woke up and jotted the name down on a pad which I kept by my bedside-a sort of ideas pad- and went back to sleep. Next morning when I looked at the name ‘Cobra,’ I knew it was right.” In less than eight hours, a 260 HiPo and Borg-Warner four-speed are installed and Shelby and friend Dean Moon test drive the new Cobra, looking to bait Corvettes, but none are found.
From one of Catalogs from the early 70s:
Recently posted about by MOONEYES (JAPAN) Pinstriper, Hiro “WILDMAN” Ishii.
 An Iso-Griffith Grand Touring (GT) is one of the world’s finest “High-Dollar” sports machines and is made in Italy for sale all over the world. One of these was purchased by a gentleman in the Southeast by the name of Sam Pallone. While Mr. Pallone enjoyed his “Iso,” he soon found it to be a better “tourer” than a great “mover.” So he simply picked up his phone and called us at Moon Equipment – having heard of our knowledgeability – and asked if we could improve on the performance of his import. Naturally, we said “yes,” and we soon had his GT in our shop. First improvement made was lowering the gear ratio of his 4-speed and rear axle. Then we took the 327 Chevy V8 (standard Iso item) out and substituted a very well refined 350 small-block. We built this 350 to meet Sam’s firm order of “total driveability,” and the prime method used to maintain street driving manners came in the form of a set of Weber 48mm IDA carbs. Prior to installation, Pallone’s 350 registered 491 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm on the Moon dyno. Then we called Sam to come to California. When he got here, he road & track tested the upgraded Iso at Orange County International Raceway. Quarter-mile times were under 13-seconds. Enroute home, the only complaint Sam registered was a “lack of competition” on the open road!
Here are some original photos taken by Dean Moon:
 
Dean Moon was inducted to the SEMA hall of fame in 1988.
Although the page just hints at Dean Moon’s bio with, “Fuel tanks, spun aluminum disc wheel covers, fuel blocks.and more were familiar as Moon products. But the most popular item sold by the entrepreneur of hot rodding, Dean Moon, were the ubiquitous Mooneyes, the decals of which have been seen in virtually every country in the world.”
 
There was a Memorial last weekend at MOONEYES USA for Master of Camshaft, Bill Jenks, who passed away on October 3, 2009.
 
The Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club SCTA 17th Annual “Gas Up” and Dry Lake Racing Hall of Fame Ceremony was scheduled around the same time as the MOONEYES 12th Annual All Odds Nationals in Japan but I was there. It was important because MOONEYES was voted as the Manufacturer of the Year Inductee to the Hall of Fame so we all went in Buellton, CA at Mendenhall’s Museum of Gasoline Pumps for the award celebration and induction ceremony.
 
Hall of Fame inductees receive this ring.
The 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees together for a photo.
It’s not only about selling parts as a manufacturer. Chico built the Modified Roadster which broke a class record at BNI in 2008, has participated in Dry Lake Racing, and has made a considerable contribution to the sport, which is largely the reason I believe. Of course, it could be since the company has been around so long but when you think about it, there are not many companies like MOONEYES that have been on the sidelines for the Racer.
In 1995, Fred Larsen’s Larsen-Cummins Streamliner was inducted as a Distinguished Vehicle to the Hall of Fame here as well. MOONEYES USA has been open now for 17 years this year. It is a wonderful award to receive.
Mooneyes would like to accept this award on behalf of Bill Jenks, who passed away on October 3, 2009. Bill dedicated his life to the entire speed industry and the thousands of enthusiasts that have Bill’s cam turning in their engine. We are grateful for Bill’s contributions with MOON for more than 50 years and will always cherish the impact he has made on us all.
Thank you very much Bill!
Shige Suganuma
Bill Jenks 1930-2009
It is with regret and great sadness to announce the passing of master craftsman and long time dedicated employee, Bill Jenks. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 3, 2009. It is a great loss not only for his family and friends, including everyone here at MOON, but the entire industry and hot rodders everywhere.
Bill came to work for Mooneyes when Dean Moon purchased Potvin Racing Cams in 1960. He continued working from the old Potvin Cam facility in Anaheim, managing the company for Dean. When Dean built the machine shop at Mooneyes in Santa Fe Springs in 1962, Bill moved to this new facility. He worked at this location for the next 40+ years until his retirement last month. He came to work with his signature lunchbox every single day like clockwork, without fail. Mooneyes was his second home. They don’t make people like Bill Jenks any more and he was truly the real McCoy. We truly miss him and he will always be in our hearts.
Bill was a master camshaft designer and true craftsman. He could make any engine run better, faster, from small go-carts to nitro-burning dragsters and helped many people win races. Bill also welded MOON Tanks and was second to none. Between Fred Larsen and Bill Jenks, they have built some amazing engines and won many races throughout the ’60s.
Bill was featured in a multi-page article in Hot Rod Deluxe (March 2009) about his early years of hot rodding, dry lake racing, and working at Potvin and Moon.
Shige Suganuma recently posted about Bill’s retirement dinner on his blog. Here’s the post:
We had a Retirement Dinner at Mimi’s Cafe in Anaheim for long time employee, MOONEYES Camshaft grinder and MOON Tank welder, Mr. Bill Jenks. He has been with MOON for 45 years (if you include his time at Potvin Racing Cams, it’s more than 51 years of service). After the ceasefire ending the Korean War, he returned to USA and began work for Potvin, having always hung out there before the war, and started Cam grinding over 50 years ago. Yes, you can certainly say he is Mr. Cam Master and I am grateful to Dean MOON that I was able to meet such a wonderful person.
I think he will be showing his face at the machine shop still. He’s always welcomed here.
God Speed Bill.
Rest in Peace.
This is a picture of Dean MOON and me in 1986 when we went to Pomona Swap Meet.
I was told to push the cart as we walked around together. Dean would say, “MOON buys MOON,” and look for Old MOON Products to buy. Old MOON Products have become expensive today and they aren’t easy to buy. That was the Good Ol’ Days.
posted by Shige Suganuma
MOONEYES was given this priceless photo by The Rod Father’s daughter at the LA Roadster Show. It’s a rare photograph from 1963 of Andy “The Rod Father” Brizio, wife Sue and son Roy, standing together on the front lawn with matching MOON logo print shirts. How cool is that?!
Ah, the Good Ol’ Days!
Thank you for the photo!
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