Mooneyham/Sharp #554

Here’s something you don’t see everyday… The King of fuel coupes in full motion video.

The Mooneyham/Sharp 554 car actually started life as a b-ville bound sedan with Flathead motivation. Initially, it was owned by Gene Mooneyham and Carl Johnson. In and around 1951, the two decided to switch out the sedan body in favor of a coupe shell that Carl had chopped a few inches. The light car with a healthy flathead was a great competitor on the drag strip, but it wasn’t long before the little flat motor let go.

Carl had had enough at that point and sold his portion of the car off to a legendary Hemi builder – Al Sharp. Al built a stout 390 featuring a Clay Smith 284 cam, Forgetrue pistons, GMC 671 blower, and Enderle Injection. It was all very thirsty for 70% nitro… and world records. Check out the vintage photos after the jump.