"Mooneyes" Special

By Dean Kirkland

In the world of automobiles, there are certain cars that just exude a raw, untamed energy. Enter the Ford 'Mooneyes Special' Hi-Boy Coupe. This beast is not your average car; it's a fierce contender, always ready to take on any challenge. It's a far cry from the more reserved Model T and Model A. Tom Malloy, talking about his '32 Mooneyes Special, remarked, "Driving it was an adventure I'll never forget. It's not something I'd do every day, but it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

It's fascinating to think that Ford Motors, a company known for its practical vehicles, even produced such a car. Henry Ford's vision was to create affordable, utilitarian vehicles for the masses. The '32 Hi-Boy Coupe, however, was a dream come true, a luxury that seemed to have sprung straight from Henry Ford's imagination. When it was unveiled in late 1931, it took everyone by surprise. Designed for sheer speed, it boasted a V-8 engine and was lightweight, mainly due to the absence of fenders. Over time, its reputation grew, and it became the quintessential Baby Boomer hot rod.

It was only a matter of time before Tom Malloy got his hands on this gem. In 2008, he acquired the 1932 Ford Sparks 3-Window Hi-Boy Coupe, a car with an impeccable history. Back in 1998, it reached a whopping 150 mph on the Bonneville Flats. Its structure was a blend of Ford's steel body 3-window design and a powerful 502 Chevy Big Block engine, equipped with GM aluminum oval-port heads. This eight-cylinder beast had a displacement of 427 cubic inches and could produce an impressive 528 horsepower.

The journey of this car is a testament to the dedication and creativity of its owners. Paul Beck was its first owner and spent nearly 20 years perfecting his masterpiece. He meticulously sourced parts and collaborated with friends and family to create the '32 Deuce, which reached a top speed of 150 mph at Bonneville. Initially, it had a basic Chevy 350 engine, which could achieve around 6,000 rpm.

In 2006, the car found a new owner in Tim Cunha. He upgraded the engine to a 427 cubic inch big block Chevy, expanded it to 502, and added GM aluminum oval-port heads. The carburetor was a Holley 4500 Ultra HP Dominator, paired with an Edelbrock Victor 454-R Air Gap intake. This setup allowed the Hi-Boy to achieve 528 horsepower, with 5800 rpm at the rear wheel. Tim retained the '70s Muncie M-21 4-speed gearbox but added a Hurst 4-speed shifter.

The car's association with Mooneyes came from the inclusion of Mooneyes' finned valve covers, breathers, and the iconic "Moon Equipped" brushed-metal discs on the black-painted wheels. All owners stayed true to the original design, keeping the all-steel, fenderless Ford Three-window coupe body, which was chopped by 3.6 inches.

But what truly stands out is the vibrant yellow "Mooneyes" paintwork, a nod to the company's sponsorship. Initially, Tim Cunha retained the blue paint with silver scallops. However, the sponsorship from Moon Equipment Company led to the adoption of the all-yellow "Moon Equipped" theme and the "Mooneyes" logo on the car's doors.

In 2008, Tom Malloy became the proud owner of the Mooneyes '32 Deuce. Together with crew chief Marc Hart, they clocked an official speed of 175.389 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, with Tom in the driver's seat. Tom fondly recalls the vast desert landscape, the surreal feeling of racing against the vastness of the salt flats, and the anticipation while waiting for his crew in the middle of the desert. "It's a unique experience," Tom shared, "The anticipation, the thrill of the race, and then the long wait in the desert. But it's all worth it. Even the salt that gets everywhere. I'm proud to have earned the official timing flag."