RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 705
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From: Endicott New York
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RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
I just read that drag racing legend Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins passed away on March 29th. For any of you guys who were around in the 1960's and early 1970's his Super Stock 409's, Z11 427's and Camaros were the cars to beat back then. All the hot rod magazines ran stories about him every month. A good book to read about the history of Super Stock racing is "Super Stock - Drag Racing the Family Sedan" by Larry Davis. There are many pictures and stories about "Grumpy" in this book.
Rest in Peace Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
Rest in Peace Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,467
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From: Black Forest CO
Thanks for posting this. I had not heard the news.
I used to love watching him race his Vega. That was part of the motivation for be to build a small block Vega a few years later.
RIP Grumpy.
I used to love watching him race his Vega. That was part of the motivation for be to build a small block Vega a few years later.
RIP Grumpy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2016 C5 of Year Finalist
I liked him and he was great for the sport. Jenkin's is gone,
Ronnie Sox is gone the legends are passing away fast.
Ronnie Sox is gone the legends are passing away fast.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
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From: Outer banks North Carolina
He was the "KING" of the Chevy drag racing! My wife and I stayed in a motel in Hebron Ohio on our Honeymoon on June 8th 1974. Bill Jenkins was in the room below us and was there for the 1974 Sping Nationals [National trails Racway] as we were. I watched him overhall a lenco transmission on the curb of the motel that night and drank a beer with him. He was a great guy who had no problem talking with a nobody young drag racer like me. [d/g 55 chevy]. I later bought a short block he built and it was the best engine I ever owned. GOD bless you BILL!
You will always be remembered.
You will always be remembered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
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He was born and raised in PA, went to school at Cornell University where he graduated with an engineering degree...got the nickname "Grumpy" at the track because of his no nonsense competitive style. A drag racing icon...RPI Grumpy.
!!
for some of the best drag racing of all time
