1st SHELBY COBRA HAULER | 1959 Moon Transporter owned by Dean Moon and Used to Haul Race Cars 1960s
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- The 1959 Moon Transporter was famous for many reasons, but perhaps the most for transporting the first Shelby Cobra CSX0001 when it was delivered from the UK and picked up by Carroll Shelby and Dean Moon using this exact transporter as documented in the 1977 book, Shelby's Wildlife.
Many of you know that the 1959 Moon Transporter goes by many names: Norm Holtkamp called it the “Cheetah Transporter”, others refer to it as the “Moon Transporter” because Dean Moon owned it and was updating its power and braking, still others (mostly in Europe) call it the “Holtkamp Transporter” because it was designed and built by and for Norm Holtkamp by the legendary Troutman and Barnes metal shapers.
I bought it in December, 2006 because it looked cool and I thought it would look great carrying my newly acquired 1961 Porsche Tiburon Coupe. Rick D’Louhy and I had just reconnected that year and by December, 2006 on Christmas day, the transporter arrived at my house in Tampa, Florida. But it wasn’t as simple as that to get it, and that’s the fun part of sharing today’s story.
After searching for nearly 25 years, I acquired our first 1961 Shark Tiburon coupe and that single event changed my life from that point forward in terms of research and cars.
I was a voracious reader and researcher and focused on learning more about lost cars of the 40s and 50s. During this time I came across and bought Tom Cotter’s first book on “Barn Finds.” In that book, Cobra in the Barn, there was a story about the Moon Transporter. What a cool transporter this was and I had to learn more.
I contacted Tom Cotter and he was kind enough to help me learn more about the transporter and who owned it. Then, he put me in contact with the owner, Jim Degnan. Jim raced vintage race cars and had acquired the transporter years before and had started its restoration, and he shared with me he was working with someone who might buy it. I let Jim know that I would be interested in it if the deal didn’t go through. As I always warn all my friends, be careful what you wish for!
Meanwhile we were learning more about cars of that era and we didn’t know it then but were laying down the groundwork for what would become Undiscovered Classics. During the months after I had talked to Jim, one of my friends, Marshall Foxworthy, used photoshop to show what my Tiburon Coupe might look like on the back of the Moon Transporter. After I saw the historic photos of it, I was hooked and knew what I had to do.
It’s best I let Jim Degnan tell the story in his own words. He posted this back on our website in 2014:
“I remember Tom Cotter doing the article and soon after it was published, I was hounded by this dude from Florida pestering me to buy the “Moon.” Six months later, after many late night phone calls, etc., we struck a deal. He would trade me one of the Renault Gordinis (I owned two Gordini sports cars at the time) and some cash to “boot”. He would pay transportation costs both ways. Karen, my wife, exasperated by many phone calls and discussions about the transporter said “just take the cash and let him keep the damn Renault.” Needless to say, I now have the Renault, spent the cash and we are both happy. (My wife…not so much).
The Moon Transporter ran, drove and steered so transport of it would be possible. The transport company charged me to ship 1.5 cars, maybe two cars, since it was so long. Good friend Richard Russell was on hand with Jim Degnan when they loaded the Cheetah Transporter for Tampa, Florida.
The shipment arrived on Christmas Day, 2006 and Rick and I had fun unloading it and driving it around the block. Being in a vehicle which is cantilevered over the front axle feels very different driving, especially going over speed bumps. You get the visual sensation of being ready for the car to lurch upward and it doesn’t until moments later. Very disorienting.
During the time it was called the Cheetah Transporter, it was being used to haul the first Chevrolet Cheetah by Bill Thomas, which was preceded by his prototype, which we also found, the Bearcage.
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Thanks for watching the video: 1st Shelby Cobra Hauler | 1959 Moon Transporter owned by Dean Moon and Used to Haul Race Cars 1960s
love to see it with fresh wheels and the side panels! Long live the Moon Transporter! Long live Undiscovered Classics! Long live the USA!
Awww yeah! I dig those slotted mags it had on it in those vintage photos. Thanks for the enthusiastic support Kyle
5:07 I saw this when it was used to haul the 300SLR in Sweden in the 50's. Fantastic truck!
The cab looks like a chopped up 59 el camino
It actually was a never registered brand new 1959 El Camino as Geoff discusses in the video
I was amazed to see this was still around!. It's based on a Mercedes W186 chassis (300Adenuer) and was originally started as a copy of the Mercedes Works transporter.
Yep! Geoff talks about that in the video
Saw the Merc in the flesh very nice indeed.
Was wondering that. Thanks for the info! The audio here was pretty choppy for me.
Sure thing! Sorry about the audio
HotWheels or matchbox needs to make this! This thing is awesome!
A lot of die-cast car collectors would love this thing, honestly who wouldn’t!
Actually, they do make a few models of here! Here’s one:
Pinky Hannah actually, you can buy models of it now from at least two companies: www.awesomediecast.com/matrix-1-43-1961-holtkamp-cheetah-transporter-gray-red/
I would suggest making the wheel tracks adjustable- they could slide inboard or outboard on perpendicular cross rails. Maybe something that is hand cranked to adjust and then locked in place. This way you can adjust for whatever track width you need.
That’s a great idea!
That was my thought as well. Carry a variety of vehicles that way.
Great to see these cars get a new life, and appreciate the documentation on this CZcams channel! However, please invest in a better microphone 😇
Oh yeah, I hear you on the mic. Damn thing works half the time, but I’ve spent like $2k on new audio and visual gear so after the next series of videos come out, it should get better. Thanks for sticking with us all the same though!
Two cups of Coffee, and this guy still puts me to sleep. Cool Transporter...
Sorry you feel that way, Geoff is a font of knowledge on these cars
Go to bed at a decent hour and you wont have that problem. Nothing good occurs after 9:00 pm. 😊
The coffee put you to sleep because you weren't moving around.
Continue your hard work of finding and caring for lost vehicles! Alberta Canada! Cheers!
Thanks a lot! 😄
Fantastic. Glad you found it. Look forward to its restoration in videos. These vintage transporters are as interesting as the cars they hauled. As a Cobra owner I applaud you. Cheers from Texas.
Thanks very much! Appreciate you following along and commenting. We’re looking forward to diving into this one too and we’ll post updates as we have them
The recreated Blue Wonder was just at FOS in the UK. Looked wonderful and took part in the Mercedes parade up the hill.
Neat!
The cowl ,roof,doors,dash,look like 59 elcamino.corvair nose.
Yes, that’s all correct
LOVE that thing! Been sorta following that thing for a while. So glad it's gonna get some action!!!!!
It’s one of our favorites too 😄
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA 👍❗
Very cool to see rare vehicles restored and appreciated
Thanks for following along!
It looks likes a corvette steering wheel and corvair headlights.
Yep, that’s correct!
I remember that in magazines as a kid in the late 60s it was beyond the stars i almost think those odd chrysler surf cars used the idea from these
Lots of people have fond memories of it from that time, appreciate you chiming in 😄
I enjoy watching these videos every week from here in the Uk. So many interesting cars you have there, I just hope you have enough time to finish them all !
Been waiting a long time to see the video of the transporter, that will be very interesting to see once finished.
I also have a rare fibreglass car, a 1963 Gilbern GT1800. Made right here in Wales, our only car made here. Mine is one of only 202 built. Needs a lot of fibreglass work! But I also enjoy your rebuild videos. It does inspire to too get mine finished!
Keep up the good work there.
Thanks a lot! The Gilbert is a good looking car, reminds me a bit of the Peerless GT
Thanks, love the info. Big fan of barn find hunter…one detail though, please look into improving your audio. It’s really poor. Good luck thanks again.
Thanks! Totally hear you on the audio, I was so disappointed when I got back from filming to find it this bad. Made it as good as I could in post production, but I’ve just invested $2k in new gear! Appreciate you sticking around even with the audio troubles 👍
Cool! I saw Tom feature this car. Thanks for finding and saving the oddballs. I love automotive design, and do original designs in Lego on my channel. Just subscribed.
Thanks a lot! We had Tom’s video on the channel and although we had his permission, we weren’t able to host the video due to the YT regs :/
Great video,thanks for showing. I hope you get it on the road. Best wishes from jolly old England 👍😎Pete 🤓
Thanks Pete!
Yes, Invest in a better microphone. Couldn't finish watching. But I love cars.
Believe me, I just spent $2k on new audio and video gear so hopefully this doesn’t happen again. Thanks for sticking around despite the rough audio on this one
Audio was bad enough I X out after a few minutes. Bad microphone? Poor connection to the recording device? Hope you get it fixed soon, it would make it an interesting video about some strange iron.
Yeah, I was really annoyed when I got back to run it through post production edits. The audio gets better a few minutes in, but the mic must have been acting up
Cab looks like it came from a 59 El Camino. Got it right.
Yep, that’s right
That is a HISTORICAL TREASURE!👍👍
We certainly think so too!
Yes !! It was called „ Mercedes Schnelltransporter „
Yep!
Good stuff!
Thank you!
Great find! I had forgotten about this vehicle and I remember it! Restore this puppy!
It’s on the list! 😄
What a find! Worthy of 100% restore!
Thanks!
59 ElCamino!
Yep 😄
Great video! i subscribed
Thank you!
I saw that thing at Deam Moons shop in Santa Fe Springs, Ca around 1976. At that time it was no longer in use. It had been damaged at another location from one of our famous earthquakes. I've always had a penchant for odd rods... & that thing has been etched in my brain ever since. Another side note is that good friend of mine owns the old Troutman & Barnes building next to the Orange County Airport but I am sure that location came much later than the transporter build. Would love to see that thing in its glory again.
There was a pic from circa 2000 / 2010 that showed the hauler with a roof collapsed on it. There were other cars in the collapsed building as well. This might have been in a British classic car magazine.
That’s super cool! Thanks for sharing
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA I found more info, the roof collapse actually occurred in 1971. Automotive News has a story The Transporter(s) Posted on November 9, 2014
Isn't that the cab of a 59 el Camino? Maybe a chopped up 59 chevy station wagon.
Yep, that’s correct. Geoff discusses how they came to get that for the build in the video
Original wheelbase definitely!! Also I’m dying to see the cars in the back row!!! Any pics out there of them???
Lots of videos on the channel actually, check this one out: czcams.com/video/NJFMxEmAICg/video.htmlsi=-21qLeZm2Ys1eTh8
The long ramps would come in handy, maybe a crank device to adjust the ramp width.
Could run a secondary winch or something to do that, neat idea
What an interesting beautiful machine !!! Brake's bags injection whitewalls and Chevrolet beige ......l can't wait 😉🙃😎 NZ
Thanks!
Im a little late to this but being that a transporter is essentially a "tool" and its previous owners modified it to move what they moved, it would be cool to leave the wheelbase and set the tracks at a more "average" distance to be able to haul more than just tiny 30s-40s racecars. If it was a racing car itself I'd be in the "totally original" camp but this is a utility vehicle, this thing could make any non running hunk look cool just by holding it
Good feedback, thanks for the input!
I've heard of "crumple zones" but that has a death zone.
Only for the brave of heart lol
Probably got a few thousand dollars worth other back so hopefully driving g real careful .
We need this restored
We do too haha
59 El Camino, what a death trap.
Definitely wouldn’t want to be in a front end crash 😵💫
Turn out to each side the exhaust just a few feet behind the engine. The long current plumbing must have added many many degrees to the bed area.
I’m sure that’s the case, definitely a more efficient way of doing it
it looks better than the mercedes
It seems to be an acquired taste with most folks on one side or the other haha
Jay Leno has the Mercedes car hauler from the 50’s. Beautiful truck.
Yep yep
That thing SO needs to go to Ian Roussel for metalwork...🏆
Big fan of his work! I really enjoy watching his CZcams channel and shows
Very interesting but I found the audio a little distracting due to the wandering around.
Yeah, the audio really sucks on this one, sorry about that. Thanks for sticking with it though!
Now that is awesome 😎🎉🎉🎉
Thanks!
Thank you 🙏 I've never seen one and I absolutely love it 😍
It’s the only one! 😎
He took the cabin of EL CAMINO 59' , 60' and used the Mercedes transporter idea.
Yes, it was the can of a 1959 El Camino that was used
Nice video! Great car! Shame of the sound quality, it’s hard to hear what is being said…
Keep up the best work of rescuing these icons!
Cheers!
I know, the sound kills me here too. Next one is up and way better! Got some new equipment. Thanks for sticking with it!
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA when will the next one come? Can’t wait!
I meant the next video in general, not specific to the Transporter. I’m sure Geoff and I will do another one on it in the future though!
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA I am curious about the next vid, no matter what the subject is… I’m sure it will be an interesting one!
Keep up the good work, and thanks for all the effort it takes to make these videos!
Cheers!
Thanks a lot! Here the newest one if you haven’t already seen it or subscribed to get the notifications
BARN FIND RACE CAR | One-off Steel Sports Car, Built by Edgar Smith c.1956, Full History Discovered!
czcams.com/video/q1Jat-YFAok/video.html
the first Shelby cobra was CSX 2000, FYI.
Hmmm I pulled the CSX0001 right from the book that’s cited in the video. Is there a difference between the two or did the book perhaps get it wrong? My understanding is that this one was referred to as the experimental if that makes any difference
you cude make it so that the ramps slide in and out to fit biger and smaler whell baces
That would be a cool way to make it adaptable!
Looks like the mercedes transporter that was build in same style.
Yep, there’s a connection between the two for sure
You should get to the point quicker, be more succinct. And your sound is crap.
Yeah, the audio isn’t great on this one unfortunately
I wanted to make a replica MB car hauler for my 300 SL Gullwing replica. Lots of work!
The car hauler sure would be more work than the SL Gullwing I would think!
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA I can get a buck file, but yes alot of work
Sure would look good together though!
You may want to redo the audio seeing how most of it's garbled or inaudible.
Yeah, I wish I could just replace the audio track but I’d have to take down the whole video and with how far spread it’s gone already, I’d hate to lose that :/
Sorry to see a 1959 El Camino treated that way bur it is coooooooll> would like to see as many of those Kaiser's brought back as possible.
Technically, I wasn’t ever titled as an El Camino before they snagged it for the modifications and the bed was sold off 😄
Also, we’re all about the Kaisers here too hehe
The sound was so hard to listen to that I stopped watching at 3:43.
I know, it was tricky to get this one to sound halfway decent. It levels out after a few minutes in
Long wheelbase better. Install automatic transaxle from corvette, moving weight of transmission to the rear. & Keeping it Chevy.
Interesting concept!
Add airbags (something that if it was available they would have used them) that way when you want pick up or drop off a vehicle the air could be let out lower rear of vehicle to improve ramp angle. Air ride is smoother too when on the road and easily level vehicle for loaded or unloaded conditions.
That’s a good call too
That's definitely different
Different is all we do here 😎
Should contact Randy Grubb
He’s certainly done some great stuff!
Introduction is WAY too long.
Always tough to gauge how much info is too much, but given how rare and obscure all of our cars are, we like to provide as much of a concise history as possible
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA Understood. I think that from :22 to 1:39 (77 seconds) of the intro you could pair down to just a few quick snippets for the subject car. I like the first 22 seconds which shows clips of your many wonderful cars. Just a suggestion. Thanks for the reply!
Quick snippets for a car most people haven’t seen before is generally something I avoid. I think that would make more sense for a production car that many people have already seen hundreds of times over, but I’m not really sure as it’s a matter of personal opinion. Appreciate the feedback all the same 😄
Corvair headlights, Elco cabin, and a Corvette steering wheel?
Correct on all accounts!
Why would you say you have video of driving it around and then not show it. How crazy is that
I went back to check the files and couldn’t find it! Otherwise I would have totally included it. Geoff has had to do a LOT of file migration over the last year so it should reappear soon hopefully
The printer is called Dymo
Huh?
A couple of things,
PLEASE fix the audio, it sounds pixelated / like a bad speaker phone / too much dynamic noise reduction / something else. Audio quality makes or breaks a vid even if the vid quality is good.
Second, there was a pic from circa 2000 / 2010 that showed the hauler with a roof collapsed on it. There were other cars in the collapsed building as well. This might have been in a British classic car magazine.
I know, I know. The audio isn’t great and I tried my best with it in post production. It was totally crap before so that’s the best I could get it given the circumstances. I’ve got a good chunk of money into a lot of new gear to avoid those issues in the future. Thanks for sticking with it despite the audio, believe me it frustrated me too
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA Automotive News has a story The Transporter(s) ( November 9, 2014 ) The collapse occurred in 1971
Thanks! I’m having trouble finding the link, would you be able to post it here?
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA You Tube tends to auto delete links AND shadow ban the poster for a day or two so I can't post direct. Here are a few things to try
Try this search and keep the quotes "automotive news" "the transporter(s)" " November 9, 2014 "
Find the site and add
/2014/11/09/the-transporters/
I’ve tried a number of different ways, including that and it still won’t come up, I’m not sure what gives
Sorry I just can't watch the video. Great subject with interesting story but the audio quality is that bad you have to strain to make sense of it.
Yeah, I know. I can’t replace the audio track with an overdub unfortunately. Sorry about that
Looks like the Mercedes hauler .
Similar idea, Geoff talks about that in the video actually
Looks like a copy of the 1955 Mercedes Benz "Renntransporter", knonw as "Das blaue Wunder".
That’s correct, it’s what inspired the builder here
In the ham radio world, we would call your audio quality "picket fencing", meaning the mic cuts out frequently, like a picket fence. For milliseconds, only but it is annoying.
Yeah, it annoyed me too :/
The original rear was removed to add bumpers to make it street legal.😂
“Street legal” lol
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA hey in those days lites bumper and license plate and you were good 😁
Haha you got it
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA I'm old, I was there 😁
Great story, not too great sound. It gets a bit mumbling and whizzing "s"es sometimes. I guess too far away from the mike.
Yeah, sorry about that. The audio was brutal on this one and I did what I could in editing to try and get it louder without being even worse. Better audio next time for sure!
Rennwagen-schnell Transporter.
Yup yup
Some Things R Just Kool *
😎
The front end used to be an.Alcamino
Correct. Technically, it was ever registered as one though, which Geoff talks about in the video too
Dymo Label Maker!
For the labels on the dash?
I could see it hauling my gasser.
BTW: I think your mic is too close to your mouth.
Yeah, the audio on this one wasn’t great :/
Need any more Kaisers?
Gotta catch em all!
ISN''T THE DASH FROM A 1957 CHEVY?
Don’t believe so, it should be from the 1959 El Camino
What's with the juvenile "music"?
Gotta have something in the background playing for those sweeping shots at the start. Otherwise it would just be the sound of crunching leaves and my labored breathing. It’s just for the first like 30 seconds before the dialogue starts
Make it a dual axel.
Hmmm now that’s an idea. Not sure we’d want to mess with it to that degree but adding something that different though
psssst, new mic!
I know, I know. Already have new gear to avoid this in the future
love the idea but you need better audio for your video, this is unwatchable for me
Yeah, I know it’s bad on this one. My gear is better now, sorry
the longest damn video intro on youtube?
Which part are you referring to, the 10 second video clip intro sizzle thing?
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA it took about 1:30 to get to the body of the vid
Idk that doesn’t seem particularly long, less than two minutes? I styled it after a lot of other videos but perhaps it could have been shorter
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA I produced thousands of radio and tv spots...and I was in a few punk bands.
I'm used to things being concise.
That said, it's all just personal taste. Like Zappa said about music, "If it sounds good to you, it's bitchin'; if it sounds bad to you, it's shitty."
Fair points. I do a lot of editing down and refinement in general. Id imagine there are tighter time restrictions in TV and radio ads
do the voice over at home
Yeah, audio on this one was problematic. Damn mics let me down
Would have been a good video except for the “music”
The like 45 seconds of music at the start?
Have hard time understanding what he is saying. His words are extremely muffled. No interest in what he is saying although his topic would be better if spoken clearer.
I know, I know. The audio is not great here, but if you turn it up it’s a bit clearer. Sorry about that
Please get a new mic and rehearsevthe commentary. Almost 8 minutes in before you even mentionbthe chassis. I dont care about that other crap, too much info!
The audio really sucks on this one, which I’m bummed about. It would have been ready to redo if Geoff and I didn’t live at opposite ends do the country. They’ll be another one on it in the future with the new audio gear that’ll be much better. As far as too much info, the history is very important to us so that’s not something we’d generally dial back
Who can understand this guy ?
Volume? Speed? What seems to be the main trouble?
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA Seems to be microphone issues. Would be nice if it flowed better with the information and points of interest on the chassis itself instead of the name dropping of people the viewer don't know. Stay on subject. Folks want to know how it was put together and not what your dreaming of putting on it. Like that it's getting saved. Someone asked. Just my $.02
Yeah, these mics have been troublesome for sure. Tried making some edits in the post production software I use, but I can definitely understand it not being great. Ingesting in a lot of new gear so hopefully those issues will be a thing of the past soon. As far as content goes, Geoff is a wealth of knowledge and it just kind of all comes out. I hear you though
@@UndiscoveredClassicsUSA It's like trying to carry on a conversation with someone who is 15 feet away and who keeps looking in different directions while talking. I was interested to know about this hauler, but got totally lost in the talk until I had to tune out. Next time try to fix the camera in place facing you at a normal range and tell the story clearly with no side obversations or quips. Then maybe add a 360 view of the vehicle with a voice over detailing the various mechanical/build features. Finishing off with whatever plans there are for restoration or offers for sale.
All good ideas, thanks for the feedback. Sorry the audio was tough here
Looks like crap now. Recall photos of that.
It was in pretty much the same shape now as when Geoff acquired it. You can see how little has changed condition wise if you check out Tom Cotter’s video on it from years back. Hell, even in the vintage photo with the Moon graphics on it, there’s body work covered in spray paint visible back then too
Bla..bla..bla
🤷♀️
Awesome it’s just rotting away.
It was rotting away for decades before our ownership and has been inside until recently
Sweet, Mover,👍🏽👍🏽🇦🇺
Thanks!