Just as in years past, hours before sunrise, the gates at Irwindale Raceway in Irwindale, California opened at 6 o’clock in the morning for the Mooneyes X-Mas Party. Hundreds of hot rods, rat rods, customs, low-riders, vans and motorcycles began lining up at 4:00 a.m. along Live Oak Ave. Participants sat in their idling rides with their heaters on trying to stay warm. Hundreds of vendors were busy inside the venue putting the finishing touches on their booths in preparation of displaying their cool car culture swag and hardware.
An old school rigid chopper fitted with a pair “ape hangers” looks right at home next to a lowered full custom Buick convertible rollin’ on a set of wires and wide whites.Jordan Quintal’s incredible ’30 Ford five-window coupe was a show-stopper.A rare ’35 Ford coupe custom; check out the lake pipes and ribbed bumper.
As the participant gates were opened, the Mooneyes X-Mas Party staff did a great job directing the mile-long line of cars into the massive Irwindale Raceway parking lot. The Irwindale 1⁄8-mile drag strip would open later in the day for vintage side-by-side drag racing, including a Cacklefest. The trailered dragsters were quickly unloaded in the pits, and then directed to the tech inspection area.
As the cold December morning sunrise greeted show- goers, many dressed in Christmas and car culture swag, the smell of fresh carne asada and tri-tip filled the morning air. The stage was set for another Mooneyes Christmas party filled with imagination, creativity, ingenuity, attitude and style for everyone to enjoy.
A chopped, blue metal flaked, scalloped and flamed GMC rollin’ on wide whitesThis immaculate ’33 Ford belongs to Ray Dunham.Joe Clary’s chopped ’34 Ford coupe has a mail slot for a rear window, and check out the louvered trunk lid.Jack Pettit’s ’57 Pontiac StarChief was laid out on its side pipes. The front inner wheel wells were fitted with white leather tuck ’n’ roll inserts to match the interior leather tuck ’n’ roll.Some, partied too much.1960 Oldsmobiles always look cool sittin’ low—real low—and spinnin’ chrome Supremes.Two-wheelers also showed up to strut their stuff.This beautiful metallic blue ’32 Ford five-window coupe belongs to Thomas Leonardo. The highly polished mirror-finished firewall gives the illusion of two engines working in tandem.A true ‘50s-style hot rod roadster with louvered hoodVee Dubs were well represented.This bus was covered in its 1961 natural patina’d surface with pop out, split-windshield and roof rack.Coby Gewertz’s ’63 Ford van is all about innovation and style.A pair of ’60 Chevy pickups with one big window and one small window with their nostril hoods and quad headlights—thank God Chevy only made them for one year!Dueling rat pickups.Lines of beauty on this two-toned, 1961 Plymouth FuryEdgar Hernandez’s ’53 Chevy pickup, Starlite, with a chopped Carson-style removable top; the five-bar grille is flanked by 1953-54 Buick headlights and bezels. A pair of spotlights mounted on the A-pillars finishes off the ’50s custom appearance.Seafoam green ’59 El Camino showin’ off its set of chrome Supremes wrapped in thin whitesAttractive pinup girls were plentiful all day long.Drag racing legend Jim Dunn is the owner/tuner of the Mooneyes Funny Car.The Mooneyes Top Fuel Funny Car.Jeff Arend handles the driving duties.
Mooneyes USA owner Shige Suganuma was very happy to see another enormous turnout. Shige continues to carry the torch since Mooneyes founder Dean Moon passed away in 1987. Thanks to Shige, Dean’s legacy lives on.Glenn Gibbons’ ’64 Pontiac Lemans A/FX altered wheelbase Pouncin’ Poncho is powered by an injected big-block Pontiac engine.The gold leaf engine-turned lettering, pie-crust drag slicks and fender well headers of the ’65 Ford Falcon Tyer Fryer were all about A/FX nostalgia drag racing.Wheels up and gone!The West Coast Hooker Chevelle heats up its hides with a smoky burnout before making a pass down the Irwindale 1⁄8-mile drag strip.The packed grandstands and spectators along the fence enjoyed the sights and sounds of the A/FX cars as they rumbled back up the return road on their way back to the pits.
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