Ed Moore, the man who made so many runs between the pipes of the famous, “The MOB” AA/FA has passed on to the big strip in the sky.
Not only was it one of the coolest named AA/FAs of the golden era of drag racing, it was one of the longest running, hardest running, and winningest as well. The famed MOB fuel altered was piloted by Moore who had gotten his start in the AA/FA ranks by racing with Dave Hough and the famed “Nanook”. If the legend is true, it was Moore who came up with the Nanook name after looking at his girlfriend who was all bundled up in a winter coat. True or not, it makes for a good story.
After Hough and Moore went their separate ways, Moore reappeared on Southern California drag strips piloting the Friendly Chevrolet fuel altered which was powered by a big block Chevy sporting the perfect combo of a blower and nitro as fuel. After a short lived run with that car on his own, the team of Moore, Oates, and Bradley was formed up. The first letter of their last names made up the word “mob” and hence “The MOB” AA/FA was born and while the team members changed over the years, The MOB name was there to stay.
By the early 1970s there wasn’t much of an organized AA/FA scene anymore. The funny car revolution in drag racing had swept up virtually everyone in its path and most of the great 1960s fuel altered drivers were now in the seats of funny cars. While the class was no longer contested at national events, it was still well known by fans and promoters knew that the wild cars would bring people to their events, so Moore and the MOB struck out on the road, often traveling with Nanook to match races far and wide across the country for most of the 1970s. One of Moore’s best moments between the pipes came in 1974 when the car laid down a 6.90 pass, the quickest recorded that calendar year by an AA/FA. In 1977, a Fiat bodied version of “The MOB” made its debut and quickly became known as one of the quickest and fastest of the breed in the country. That car was running down in the 6.50s consistently. Moore raced funny cars and top fuel dragsters in the 1980s continuing “The MOB” name. In 1989 Moore traveled to Japan with the USA Drag Team as part of an NHRA promotion. He ran “The MOB” top fuel car over there on the front straight of Fuji Speedway. While the “runs” were kind of glorified burnouts on the unprepped surface, reports from the adventure all state that the place went nuts when Moore was out there in the fueler.
Moore has linked up with a great many other AA/FA legends up there and we’re pretty sure he’s pulling into the beams next to Willy Borsch right about now. Another drag racing legend has left this mortal coil.
Ed Moore also recorded the first 5second pass for a aa/fa at Spokane raceway in the eightie’s at a adra meet.i believe it was a5:79.
Damn,sorry to hear about Ed!!!! Besides the AA/FA heroics: Super guy!!! Wicked sense of humor!!! Excellent machinist!!!
“Teach”
The run at Spokane was a 5.97 e.t.. I watched it from directly behind as I was in the next pair to run. Ed was a good guy and a most talented driver, perhaps the best Fuel Altered driver ever. He, and his later partner Phil Miller, sure helped us with our cars. I will always be indebted to him and Phil for their help. Godspeed Ed. You will be missed but I will see you on the other side. Hopefully staging up against you once again.
Rod,
Do you have any pictures of the mob car from this time frame I have seen a couple of them on the aa fuel altereds site. I have what I believe to be one of the old Mob cars after talking with Ed and emailing him pictures of the car. And in honor of Eds passing I would like to restore the car to when It set the record in Spokane I spoke with Ed. And he said It was a kb hemi stage 5-8 couldn’t remember for sure with a mooney ham or If I remember right little field blower a crower 8 port injector with a 2 speed lenco with a reversee. any information would be greatly appreciated.
I grew up watching ed drive at tuscon drag strip in the 70s,and he built many of my drivelines for my race cars and my dads race cars.
SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF ED’S PASSING, VERY HARD TO BELIEVE! THERE WAS NO DRIVE SHAFT HE COULDN’T FIX FOR THE LAST 45 YEARS I HAVE KNOWN HIM. WHEN YOU SAW ED AND ASKED HIM HOW WAS HE WAS DOING, “ABOUT HALF”, WE WILL MISS YOU ED. YOUR FRIEND. BILL V.
Ed’s biggest wins came in the “Impulse” Funny Car-winning the AHRA Winternationals
in 1982, beating Gary Burgin, Tom McEwen, and Don Prudhome in the final round and
also setting both ends of the track and event record. Although he never won the
Fuel Altered Nationals in the “Mob” car – he did win 6 Fuel Altered Nationals in the
Impulse AA/FA. He also toured Australia with me in ’79 and ’80. Whatever Ed chose to
do in life-He did it 100% and he was execellent at it, whether it was driving a race car,
building a driveshaft, flying his airplane, or even just drinking beer !!!!!!!!!!
He coined phrases like “Whipcream the tires” for tire smoke, and “Duckbutter and Cheesewhiz” for gasket sealer. The world will not be the same with him.
John Lindsay
Little things, like “Good Beer” slicks, the artwork on the car, are what we remember fondly. Then there were the bigger things, like his exhibition run at Pomona (next to the Impulse if memory serves) where he went thru the lights way up on two wheels, spewing green “death smoke.” He seemed determined to make a full pass for the fans, even though he could see the motor was going away. Loved watching him run. Fearless, and the man could flat drive an Awful-Awful. Godspeed, Ed Moore.
Ed,
From a dear friend, rest in peace see you one day.
Jimmy Small
After being a huge fan of the Mob in the 1970’s, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ed while I was working for Sparkletts Water. We had a great time reminiscing about the good old days, but I will never forget he went back into his office and came out with an autographed picture of the Mob. That is one of my most treasured mementos, and I will always cherish it. Rest in peace Ed.
There is no other way to describe Ed Moore but one great man that will never be forgotten. I had the privilege to be his daughter in law and even after all these years he always had that perfect smile and said you will always be my daughter in law. Matthew and Danny you both are so lucky to have the Moore name and should be always proud to have not only his arm movements but the same drive for life. I can’t say enough about Ed because I am saddened and going to truly miss him. It won’t be the same to drive up the 15 freeway and look to my right at that beautiful yellow house and say that’s my father in law! I love you dearly and will never forget all you did for me. Thanks for all the memories and the fun times in the past and for making all of us so proud to have known you. I am proud to say you are my sons Grandpa!