Mooneyes Yokohama - Advinspiration

Mooneyes is a vintage hot rod brand started in the 1950’s in Santa Fe Springs, California. What does this have to do with Japan, you wonder? The Mooneyes store and café (pretty tasty burgers!) opened in 1991. They have a big annual hot rod show featuring hot rods and kustoms. Most of the cars are American, but with Japanese flair. Someday I want to make it to the show in person! It looks like a blast!

Here is an article from Speedhunters with a different writeup and more photos!

I have always wanted to go here but until this trip, hadn’t made it. I love vintage hot rod culture and the top floor of the building is full of things to buy, obviously, but also vintage speed parts and also functions as a museum. Just a neat place to visit. I can’t wait to get home and work on my truck some more!

This is the "Moon buggy" — This is the “Moon buggy”

Today there is an old station wagon parked out front

I got the regular burger with crispy cheese! It was awesome!

Detail of the seat cushions. The whole café was done up in 50's style yellow. — Detail of the seat cushions. The whole café was done up in 50’s style yellow.

Custom motorcycle. They like chrome and flashy paint here.

A whole display case of one-shot lettering enamel. I wish I could have brought some home with me on the plane, but I'm sure it's hazmat. — A whole display case of one-shot lettering enamel. I wish I could have brought some home with me on the plane, but I’m sure it’s hazmat.

A vintage 327 or 350 Chevy painted to match their yellow color scheme.

Mooneyes shift knobs. If I didn't already have my shifter for the truck, I would have bought one. — Mooneyes shift knobs. If I didn’t already have my shifter for the truck, I would have bought one.

The "Moonster". I love the style of this bike. — The “Moonster”. I love the style of this bike.

Their vintage garage setup out back. I'm pretty sure it's staged but I'm also pretty sure it's still cool as hell. — Their vintage garage setup out back. I’m pretty sure it’s staged but I’m also pretty sure it’s still cool as hell.

Another shot from a different angle because it's pretty. — Another shot from a different angle because it’s pretty.

The rest of the garage. Is that a Hemi in the back?

This is probably their little "parts runner" truck. — This is probably their little “parts runner” truck.

Interesting mix of cultures in the parking lot.

Little pickup turned into a dually somehow. Things are smaller over here!

Apparently I'm fascinated by traffic cones. The shadow is aligned perfectly. — Apparently I’m fascinated by traffic cones. The shadow is aligned perfectly.

Spotted this little blue Lotus Elise on the way back.

Someday I really do need to just fly out here specifically for the annual car show. I think that would be a blast! Or any Japanese car show really. It would be fascinating to see how different cultures interpret different cars.

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