Mooneyham & Sharp 554 AA/FC

[Ken Thurm]

In the late 80's I had the opportunity to restore the AA/FC of Mooneyham and Sharp 554 coupe. Just working on that car, I would catch my self day dreaming about all it had seen and been threw.When it was finished I was approached to go on tour with it and drive it in the Nostalgia Drag Racing Tour that was going around the country. I jumped at it, and for 2 years I had a blast. When we were done it went to the Don Garlits museum.
I honestly don't know how many passes I made in it, but we went every where. We went all the way to New Jersey south to Florida, Indianapolis and every where in between.
We ran it hard, it would blow up, catch on fire, and give me memories I will never forget.
It was a very hard car to drive, a normal pass would be in the low 11's, 176 mph smoking the tires all the way threw the lights. I never wreck it, but came very close many times.
There was no tach, I drove just like those guys did back then. No front brakes, just a hand brake for the rear, to control the rpm of the engine and a clutch pedal to slip the clutch to keep it from bogging the motor, no transmission, direct drive.

If you ever got a chance to see it run I don't think you would ever forget the sound it made, it had a sound of it's own. It was the way the headers were made.
For insurance reason, I suppose, we were never allowed to race against each other, It was strictly exhibition.
Well, one weekend we were at Sacramento Raceway and the Champion Sport twin engine dragster was there after being restored. These two cars were usually in the final race for Top Eliminator. So they let us race, I wanted to beat him so bad, but I got crossed up and he went around me, but I never completely lifted I stayed with it, straightened it out, and smoked the tires all the way threw the 1/4 mile. I will never forget that race!
The next race we put the motor on kill, we normally ran 60% nitro and 40% alcohol. We tipped the can and bump the timing, but it didn't work, the old 392 gave up. I swear it felt like the car came off the ground when it blew, parts of the blower went threw the blue Plexiglas grill insert and the bottom end destroyed itself.
So, I thought I would share this memory with you.
Ken


YouTube - Mooneyham and Sharp

[techinspector1]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Too cool.

[NTFDAY]

Super video, I saw it run many times in the '60's.

[lurker mick]

Ken,thanks for the memories! I campaigned an Enderle injected 32 ford pickup (see pic) It ran in the 11's, but it was a bracket car and certainly didn't compare to the 554 coupe.

We ran in the early days right after Brian Burnett and Tom Prufer started the NDRA, mostly local stuff but we would go to Fremont as much as possible.

I remember when Brian had the 554 coupe and Gerry Steiner (worlds fastest Austrian) was the driver. Gerry, like you always wanted to run the car hard but Brian wanted it to be a tire burner because the fans loved it.

I believe Brian sold the car to Jerry Moreland and I assume that's when you drove it and as you said it now resides in Garlits museum.

Anyhoo, thanks again the coupe was one of the few cars that when it ran, everyone stopped what ever they were doing so they could watch!

Mick

[Dave Severson]

Had to of been a blast Ken!!!! What a great old car!

[John Palmer]

Ken, It's funny the things we remember as we get OLD. I was a kid growing up in Phoenix in the 1950's. The drag strip in our area at the time was Mel Larsons Phoenix Dragway which was nothing more than a world war 2 abandoned air strip north of Luke Air Force Base. This was before the current Speed World, Firebird, and Beeline Dragway's. I think the track Flagman now has the TV gig as the Gieco Caveman, LOL.

The car that made a life long impression on me was another roadster, The Speed Sport Modified "rear engined" Roadster. Like your example, the individual headers on that car had a unique sound like none other. I have see the remake car run at The March Meet and it brings back THIS KIDS great memories. I loved all the "push start" fuel cars and the "turn around" before the race. The other car that was my favorite was Johnny Loper's orange/red "Ole Hoss" 41 Willy's which he ran before his Anglia.

Thanks for sharing the memories, we are leaving to race our VW at Sacramento Raceway this weekend. I'll be thinking of you smoking the tires.

[FFR428]

Very cool ride Ken!!! Great vids thoo thanks!!!

[HOTRODPAINT]

It's nice to be able to "touch" history.

I came close. A friend had decided to buy the burned-out Ala Kart, and had finally located it. Being a career custom painter and hot rod history buff, I offered the services of myself and a couple talented friends for a total resto, and had a tentative agreement, but when he contacted the owner....the car had just sold! No trophies for "almost". :-(

Congrats on a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

[shoprat]

Ken'
Had to be a great experience. I've have always loved that car. Watched
it many times. I sure as hell had to see you driven it also. I raced all the
West Coast stuff of the NDRA, thrn Anra later with my old Ranchero.
Those were fun times.
Ron
BTW: did the lettering change (numbers) direction when you restored it?

[bluestang67]

Ken dont think i can remember seeing a race where someone stayed in it sideways down the track . Great video of memories that will never be forgotten .

[skids72]

Sweet! must have been a blast... would love to have the chance to pilot one of those...

-Chris

[Bob Parmenter]

Very cool Ken. I thought this attached vid was pretty neat too;

[stovens]

Ken you are a man of many talents. So modest. I bet it was a thrill of a lifetime to drive that car. Closest thing to strapping a rocket on your back! Thanks for sharing this memory!

[Ken Thurm]

techinspector1-Your welcome, it really was fun, but also a lot of work.

NTFDAY- I did too, but never imagined I would be in the drivers seat.

lurker mick-Yes, you are correct, we also had the Ohio George Montgomery Malco gasser Mustang, with the blown cammer engine. The alcohol 57 Chevy funny car, with the McGee 4 valve motor, the only surviving Falcon Thunderbolt.

Dave-It was, although there was one run that was my biggest nightmare,I'm thinking about posting it, just to show what can happen when things go terribly wrong.

John-Thanks, I bet you are having a blast with your car.

Hotrodpaint-Boy, too bad that didn't work out.

shoprat-They were fun days, everything stayed the same in the restoration.

bluestang67- I just wanted to beat him so bad I probably would of done better if I would of lifted.

skids72-it was, it's never to late if you get the chance.

Bob- That's a good one, I think that was Gerry Steiner driving that run.

Steve- Sometimes it felt like there was
Ken

[Dave Severson]

Ken, you ever decide to go on tour again, gimme a couple months notice and I'll come crew for ya... Had to of been a blast.....