Posted By: topside
"Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:35 PM
Just heard this from the Stock/SS Group.
Another drag-racing icon and innovator has left us.
Another drag-racing icon and innovator has left us.
"Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on
Posted By: Dodgeguy101
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:38 PM
Quote:
Just heard this from the Stock/SS Group.
Another drag-racing icon and innovator has left us.
Wow, hate to hear that. That man knew more in his sleep than I do on a good day.
Posted By: Dr-Dave2
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:44 PM
So sorry to see him go, he has been involved with the sport his whole life and will certainly be remembered and missed 
Posted By: HEMIFRED
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:48 PM
I had a hate/love relationship with him. Hated to see him against Ronie or any Mopar. Loved everything he did back in the earlier days with stockers.
Posted By: dartman366
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:49 PM
A true hero to the sport, the man is an Icon. 
Posted By: maximum entropy
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:55 PM
godspeed, grump. even though i've always been a mopar guy, he was always one of my heroes. 
Posted By: Voluster
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 04:57 PM
RIP Da Grump
Sad Day
Sad Day
Posted By: donscuda
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 05:05 PM
Godspeed Bill....
Posted By: Dads426
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 05:17 PM
Sorry to hear he passed. There was a post on Facebook last night with an address to send get-well cards. I LOVED his two books, the Chevrolet Racing Engine and Grumpy's Toys. He was really thinking outside the box when it came to building and tuning.
Posted By: jamesc
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 05:27 PM
#8 of the top 50 definitely a loss, he was innovative and always trying something different. of all his cars i thought the monzas were the coolest.
http://www.nhra.net/50th/top50/B_Jenkins08.html
http://www.nhra.net/50th/top50/B_Jenkins08.html
Posted By: cudadoug
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 06:22 PM
I was at Pomona when that "new style" Vega was debuted and won P/S. Despite it being a Chevy, was a fan from then on after seeing that car.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what brand name is on the fender...
The Grump was a legend due to his innovation, his talent and desire to succeed. He took P/S to the next level at that year's Winternationals.
May he rest in peace.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what brand name is on the fender...
The Grump was a legend due to his innovation, his talent and desire to succeed. He took P/S to the next level at that year's Winternationals.
May he rest in peace.
Posted By: Steve1118
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 06:28 PM
Sadly, that is the last of the "Big Four", the movers and the heavies of the match race days, the guys who pretty much invented Pro Stock.
Ronnie Sox, Dandy Dick Landy, Dyno Don Nicholson and now the Grump.
You guys will be missed. The sport hasn't; nor ever will experience a time like that. It was the high point of drag racing, bar none. Nothing has come close since.
Thanks for the memories, guys. God Bless.
Ronnie Sox, Dandy Dick Landy, Dyno Don Nicholson and now the Grump.
You guys will be missed. The sport hasn't; nor ever will experience a time like that. It was the high point of drag racing, bar none. Nothing has come close since.
Thanks for the memories, guys. God Bless.
Posted By: Streetwize
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 07:08 PM
My Drag Racing Hero, Maybe even 1/2 notch higher on my Icon Pedestal than Ronnie (RIP) becuase Da Grump both Built his cars AND he 
them as well.
them as well.
Posted By: cudadoug
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 07:25 PM
Quote:
Sadly, that is the last of the "Big Four", the movers and the heavies of the match race days, the guys who pretty much invented Pro Stock.
Ronnie Sox, Dandy Dick Landy, Dyno Don Nicholson and now the Grump.
You guys will be missed. The sport hasn't; nor ever will experience a time like that. It was the high point of drag racing, bar none. Nothing has come close since.
Thanks for the memories, guys. God Bless.
Wow, Steve...that was well said.
Posted By: 383man
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 08:44 PM
Quote:Quote:
Sadly, that is the last of the "Big Four", the movers and the heavies of the match race days, the guys who pretty much invented Pro Stock.
Ronnie Sox, Dandy Dick Landy, Dyno Don Nicholson and now the Grump.
You guys will be missed. The sport hasn't; nor ever will experience a time like that. It was the high point of drag racing, bar none. Nothing has come close since.
Thanks for the memories, guys. God Bless.
Wow, Steve...that was well said.
Yes it was and I agree 100%. RIP. Ron
Posted By: HPMike
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 09:17 PM
Quote:
Sadly, that is the last of the "Big Four", the movers and the heavies of the match race days, the guys who pretty much invented Pro Stock.
Ronnie Sox, Dandy Dick Landy, Dyno Don Nicholson and now the Grump.
You guys will be missed. The sport hasn't; nor ever will experience a time like that. It was the high point of drag racing, bar none. Nothing has come close since.
Thanks for the memories, guys. God Bless.
And these guys worked wonders when computers were only what NASA was fooling around with.
Bill Jenkins was one of the best. His skills were the stuff of legends. He will be sorely missed and as Steve so well put it, we'll never see the likes of these types of talents in drag racing ever again. RIP.
MB
Posted By: jamesc
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 09:52 PM
well put Steve, i remember as a kid hearing his name so many times on the radio for match race advertising along with liberman and many other match racers. saw these guys a number of times at atco...when drag racing actually had personality. i almost never attend races any more unless i'm racing or a friend is. from a spectator standpoint imho the match racing was the best thing going.
Posted By: S/ST 3040
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 10:16 PM
Grumpy was a sharp guy. Sad to hear.
Posted By: 340B5
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 10:53 PM
That guy really impressed me. RIP Grump
Posted By: smokinwoody
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 11:27 PM
Posted By: fourgearsavoy
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/29/12 11:33 PM
Loved the Grump
Posted By: 63postcar
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 12:04 AM
It is sad to hear of anyone`s death. I offer my sympathy to his family & friends.
I`ll probably get flamed for this,But, I decline to label him an innovator.
I`ll probably get flamed for this,But, I decline to label him an innovator.
Posted By: Steve1118
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 12:39 AM
"I decline to label him an innovator."
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
Posted By: jamesc
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 01:08 AM
Quote:
I decline to label him an innovator.
so he gets inducted into how many hall of fame lists by his peers and only ever won 13 nhra events. obviously other people have different opinions...he must have done something to get those votes.
here's a pretty neat collection of pics
pic video
Posted By: scatpacktom
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 01:15 AM
The whole strip is shrinking
Posted By: Hemi Allstate
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 02:47 AM
Quote:Quote:
I decline to label him an innovator.
so he gets inducted into how many hall of fame lists by his peers and only ever won 13 nhra events. obviously other people have different opinions...he must have done something to get those votes.
here's a pretty neat collection of pics
pic video
Even if a person can't get past Grumpy racing Chevies, a victory over lessor competition in any event,is never as sweet. Grumpy was one of the guys that made those days so special.RIP Grumpy
And thanks for the great picture link!
Posted By: Dago Red
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 03:51 AM
Being from southeast Pennsylvania and a Mopar guy sure made me an outcast in his backyard.
I was never a fan of his.
But I darn sure respected the man.
The times they are a changin'.....
I was never a fan of his.
But I darn sure respected the man.
The times they are a changin'.....
Posted By: w7smallblock
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 04:27 AM
"I decline to label him an innovator."
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
--------------------
"Old age and treachery trumps youth and enthusiasm, every time!"
I totally disagree and he had every right to be upset with Chrysler. He did with the chevy what nobody else could, just think if he had the Hemi to play with he would have been light years ahead of the rest. I feel that he was the total package and personally would have rather seen him in a car than Ronnie Sox.
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
--------------------
"Old age and treachery trumps youth and enthusiasm, every time!"
I totally disagree and he had every right to be upset with Chrysler. He did with the chevy what nobody else could, just think if he had the Hemi to play with he would have been light years ahead of the rest. I feel that he was the total package and personally would have rather seen him in a car than Ronnie Sox.
Posted By: W7_Scamp
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 04:43 AM
He did have a HEMI to play with Perkins, Ohh and if I am remebering correctly didn't he have a competitve motor in Pro Stock a couple years ago? How many chrysle heroes are still doin that. None that I know of Sox no Landy no Nicholson no. Loved the Dodge boys to death but Grumpy was the man. And Chrysler should have definatly gave him a ride. Lots of mopar guru's on here could have learned a lot from the GRUMP !!!
Lots of mopar guru's on here could have learned a lot from the GRUMP !!!
Posted By: bcrproducts
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 05:29 AM
Had the pleasure of having lunch with him Mondello Gale Banks and a few other icons. I did a whole lotta listening at that table and not a whole lotta talking. Mondello and da Grump were mainly talking about ring seal and the importance of it. It was priceless. Man those guys knew so much. He will be missed whether you loved him or disliked him.
He hated hi photo taken but I guess he liked me enough to allow this snap.
He hated hi photo taken but I guess he liked me enough to allow this snap.
Posted By: bcrproducts
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 05:36 AM
Just after we had lunch Mondello and Da Grump talked wine. Mondello brought in a gallon of his own vineyard wine and we all had some. It was damn good wine. Great memories. If you guys ever get the chance go to a AETC conference. Some of the best in the business show up including these two innovators.
Greg
Greg
Posted By: mr_340
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 05:50 AM
Guys like Grump, Mark Donohue, Bruce McClaren and others studied Mechanical Engineering, and that inspired me to persue that degree myself. I figured there must be something to it. The USAF also inspired me to get out, so going to college seemed like a better deal especially with the old VA benefits.
Posted By: tubtar
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 05:58 AM
Quote:
It is sad to hear of anyone`s death. I offer my sympathy to his family & friends.
I`ll probably get flamed for this,But, I decline to label him an innovator.
" His innovations include drag racing's first kickout oil pans, Pro Stock strut-style front suspension, and dry sump oiling system, and cool cans, electric water pump fan, gas port pistons, and slick-shift manual transmissions. "
I copied and pasted this from another site.......exactly what would it take for you to qualify him as an innovator then ?
As his car was one of the models that sat on my shelf as a lad , that elevated his status to the point where simply seeing him at the track was a thrill for me.
Be at Peace Grump.......ya got nothing but good air from here on out.
Posted By: 63postcar
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 06:10 AM
Quote:I never said I didn`t respect him. Fiery competitor. I put him in the same class with Chad Knauss; A genius, but playing a little loose with the rules. Grump was one of the guys who pitched heads up S/S to NHRA,& when he couldn`t stay competitive,he broke every rule they had. NHRA went along with it & killed Hemi development for 25 years. Nascar saw NHRA was healthy without Mopar & they hosed us too.Wonder what that cost chevrolet ? At the 2001 gathering to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Hemi,Wally Parks apologized to Tom Hoover for killing the Hemi. In retrospect,maybe I blame Grump for what happened to Pro Stock. Look at the 70-71 cars; Nothing that exciting since.
"I decline to label him an innovator."
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
Posted By: tboomer
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 12:26 PM
Another legend gone...May he RIP..
Posted By: B G Racing
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 12:30 PM
Grumpy wasn't "Mr Personality" at the track but was a great driver,builder,tuner and engine guy of the era.Weather developing his own or capitalizing on others ideas he was able to give the Mopars a run for the money.Lets not forget his success with the Black Arrow Hemi and others he tuned and most recently his involvement with the SS/AH racers.
I have met Grump many times over the years and never really cared for his attitude and always cheared for his oponants but I have and always will respect the man for his talant and ability.
RIP Grump,you were one of the best in your day.
I have met Grump many times over the years and never really cared for his attitude and always cheared for his oponants but I have and always will respect the man for his talant and ability.
RIP Grump,you were one of the best in your day.
Posted By: dare_dude
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 02:02 PM
Peace be with you Grump! Thanks for the memories!!
Posted By: BradH
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 02:20 PM
Bummer... I was looking through his SBC race engine book from the late '70s just last night (prior to hearing that he passed away) 'cuz there's alway some interesting tidbits of info in there, even as long ago as it was written.
Posted By: Streetwize
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 02:31 PM
Was the Vega "Illegal"? Or was it just a clever interpretaion of the loophole when Hemi's had to run 7lb/ci, Canted Valves (BBC and Cleveland Fords) 6.75 and wedges 6.5lb/Ci?
426 Hemi had to weigh 2982
331 chevy could weigh 2151.5 but I seem to remember (nearly 40 yrs ago and I was only 10 back then...so 'cut me some slack'
) there was still a 2300 lb minimum.
I don't believe there was a minimum wheelbase when the vega debuted, but in 75 or 76 the NHRA added different weight factors for cars under/over 105"....hence the G&R Tiujana Taxi and the 70 Mustangs
It must have been a heck of a loophole cause soon after Jenkins showed up... Dyno Don, Gapp & Roush and Glidden & Allen drove their 351" Pintos right through it too
I believe Jenkins 74 Vega was the first PS to use McPherson Struts and I know he 'pioneered' the dry sump for drag racing (though I doubt he claimed credit for inventing it since it was well understood in the Aviation world and likely in indy cars for decades), I think I still have the Old Car Craft magazine somewhere.
Anybody got pics of the Old Dave Strickler Melrose Missle with the JK stickers on it? Da Grump started out with us but switched to Bowties in the mid-60's, some say because he couldn't get any of the factory $$$. If only he did, huh?
426 Hemi had to weigh 2982
331 chevy could weigh 2151.5 but I seem to remember (nearly 40 yrs ago and I was only 10 back then...so 'cut me some slack'
) there was still a 2300 lb minimum.I don't believe there was a minimum wheelbase when the vega debuted, but in 75 or 76 the NHRA added different weight factors for cars under/over 105"....hence the G&R Tiujana Taxi and the 70 Mustangs
It must have been a heck of a loophole cause soon after Jenkins showed up... Dyno Don, Gapp & Roush and Glidden & Allen drove their 351" Pintos right through it too
I believe Jenkins 74 Vega was the first PS to use McPherson Struts and I know he 'pioneered' the dry sump for drag racing (though I doubt he claimed credit for inventing it since it was well understood in the Aviation world and likely in indy cars for decades), I think I still have the Old Car Craft magazine somewhere.
Anybody got pics of the Old Dave Strickler Melrose Missle with the JK stickers on it? Da Grump started out with us but switched to Bowties in the mid-60's, some say because he couldn't get any of the factory $$$. If only he did, huh?
Posted By: dannysbee
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 02:58 PM
A great competitor and inovator. I think we were lucky to have had him involved in the sport we all hold so dear. His passion for the sport was so great it held his interest till the end. Rest in peace Grumpy.
Posted By: Steve1118
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 04:21 PM
"I never said I didn`t respect him. Fiery competitor. I put him in the same class with Chad Knauss; A genius, but playing a little loose with the rules. Grump was one of the guys who pitched heads up S/S to NHRA,& when he couldn`t stay competitive,he broke every rule they had. NHRA went along with it & killed Hemi development for 25 years. Nascar saw NHRA was healthy without Mopar & they hosed us too.Wonder what that cost chevrolet ? At the 2001 gathering to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Hemi,Wally Parks apologized to Tom Hoover for killing the Hemi. In retrospect,maybe I blame Grump for what happened to Pro Stock. Look at the 70-71 cars; Nothing that exciting since."
I agree with everything you said...but he was still an innovator. As far as him being responsible for NHRA's shafting the Hemis...I agree. I still think the car was illegal because, basically, it was a chassis car and at that time the NHRA rules specifically disallowed chassied cars. But, because he was in a Chevy, they let him pull it off.
I agree with everything you said...but he was still an innovator. As far as him being responsible for NHRA's shafting the Hemis...I agree. I still think the car was illegal because, basically, it was a chassis car and at that time the NHRA rules specifically disallowed chassied cars. But, because he was in a Chevy, they let him pull it off.
Posted By: LIL'BROTHER
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 04:31 PM
GRUMP WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST GUYS TO REALLY GET TO KNOW,BUT ONCE YOU DID,YOU LOVED THE MAN.THIS IS VERY SAD FOR ME BUT FROM THE SOX FAMILY;GODSPEED.DAVID SOX.
Posted By: DCM71cuda
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 08:56 PM
Quote:Quote:I never said I didn`t respect him. Fiery competitor. I put him in the same class with Chad Knauss; A genius, but playing a little loose with the rules. Grump was one of the guys who pitched heads up S/S to NHRA,& when he couldn`t stay competitive,he broke every rule they had. NHRA went along with it & killed Hemi development for 25 years. Nascar saw NHRA was healthy without Mopar & they hosed us too.Wonder what that cost chevrolet ? At the 2001 gathering to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Hemi,Wally Parks apologized to Tom Hoover for killing the Hemi. In retrospect,maybe I blame Grump for what happened to Pro Stock. Look at the 70-71 cars; Nothing that exciting since.
"I decline to label him an innovator."
No flame, but a correction. You must not have been around him much in the old days....he certainly wasn't my favorite guy, by a long shot, but an innovator he was indeed. He had to be, as he was outgunned by the MoPar bunch.
Figuring out the small block Vega as a competitive package was one. As illegal as it was, and it was illegal (right, Fred?), it worked. He also had a deal where he was sawing the carbs in half and running them as four two barrells....the man was a genius. Also, I think he had kind of hard feelings against Chrysler because they didn't pick him up as a factory driver after the 1965 season.
Ronnie was the best, best, ever, period. I saw Ronnie race the Grump many, many times, and the Grump was the only Chevrolet to be in the same ball park. You gotta give him credit.
You can't blame Jenkins for making the most of the rules. He worked within the specs and used them to his advantage...the definition of innovation. All of the big names of that era took advantage not only of what was in the rulebook, but more importantly what was NOT in the rulebook. It was not Jenkins the wrote the rules, he just used them to his advantage.
The big names of that era were a special group...Sox, Nicholson, Jenkins....and the list could go on for a while.
I'm pretty sure if you talk to the racers of that era, if they didn't like Jenkins, it was because of what he did on the track (i.e. win). But they virtually all respected him as a person, mentor, and his important role in the early days of pro stock.
Posted By: Frito
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/30/12 09:33 PM
As W7 Scamp noted, "He did have a HEMI to play with, Perkins"
For the last 3 years.
For the last 3 years.
Posted By: OUTLAWSSAA
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/31/12 01:48 AM
Quote:
"I never said I didn`t respect him. Fiery competitor. I put him in the same class with Chad Knauss; A genius, but playing a little loose with the rules. Grump was one of the guys who pitched heads up S/S to NHRA,& when he couldn`t stay competitive,he broke every rule they had. NHRA went along with it & killed Hemi development for 25 years. Nascar saw NHRA was healthy without Mopar & they hosed us too.Wonder what that cost chevrolet ? At the 2001 gathering to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Hemi,Wally Parks apologized to Tom Hoover for killing the Hemi. In retrospect,maybe I blame Grump for what happened to Pro Stock. Look at the 70-71 cars; Nothing that exciting since."
I agree with everything you said...but he was still an innovator. As far as him being responsible for NHRA's shafting the Hemis...I agree. I still think the car was illegal because, basically, it was a chassis car and at that time the NHRA rules specifically disallowed chassied cars. But, because he was in a Chevy, they let him pull it off.
X2
Posted By: 383man
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 03/31/12 03:26 AM
I have to say I know why they called him Da Grump ! I was at the York show around 2004 or 5 somewhere in that era when both Sox and Jenkins were both there. Well I saw Ronnie Sox who was there with his wife and asked to get the artist pic they had of his 68 Cuda racing the Jenkins 69 Camaro. It had both cars pulling the wheels. On the bottom of it was the words "Ronnie Sox 5 time world champ ". Well Ronnie signed it and I talked with him for a good bit as he was the nicest person to talk to. I was so happy that my childhood racing hero was such a nice guy. Well I went to the other side where Jenkins was and asked him to sign it also since his car was in it. So he signed it without saying a word to me and then I stuck my hand out and said ........thank you Mr Jenkins. He just looked away and would not shake my hand. So I walked away saying to myself.....what an a-hole ! Ron
Posted By: bfury
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 04/01/12 12:05 PM
The innovator, RIP.
Posted By: 440GTX
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 04/01/12 02:45 PM
RIP Grumpy
Posted By: 6bblFLASH
Re: "Grumpy" Jenkins has passed on - 04/01/12 04:14 PM
Gotta respect what it took to do what those guys did back then.
The work/talent and LONG HARD hours it took to build/ tune AND travel.
Took a special person to have ALL those gifts at once.
RIP "Grumpy"
Ronnie
Don
Dick
Smokey
just to name a few
The work/talent and LONG HARD hours it took to build/ tune AND travel.
Took a special person to have ALL those gifts at once.
RIP "Grumpy"
Ronnie
Don
Dick
Smokey
just to name a few