RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins

Godspeed to a true ICON

BTW nice read Spike

 

I got this out of '71 Hot Rod Mag., I love this pic of Grumpy...RIP.

 

RIP, a few dry hops in remembrance...

 

One of the legends I wanted to meet and now never will.

 

legends live on! RIP grumpy

 

When I was a very young lad (probably 7 or 8 years old), Grumpy and Dyno Don came to Numedia, PA for some exibition runs. Was a 2 out of 3 deal back then. I don't remember who won but I do remember going up to both of them and asking for an autograph.

I went to Dyno Don first. He was in the pits near his car. I shyly walked up with my autograph book and a pen and hung back a ways off. He saw me and motioned me over. Talked with me a bit (I don't remember what he said) and signed my book. Seemed easy. I smiled and walked away.

I then looked for "da Grump". I found him over by the fence near the starting line. I walked up behind him and stood there and he didn't even probably realize I was there. He was watching the cars on the track. I finally got his attention and he looked down at me. He never said a word. I handed him my book and a pen and asked if I could get his autograph. He looked at me for a second, put his cigar in his mouth, took my book and pen and scratched his signature on it. He handed it back to me without ever saying a word and went right back to watching the cars.

I am sure he would have not remembered me 5 minutes later but I will always remember him.

Godspeed Grumpy...

 

Sure was great being able to bounce ideas off him during our Stock/Super Stock days. Spent many cold winter days on the phone with him bouncing ideas around on what would be the best engine/transmission/chassis combinations for the coming season. Got the best of him in 1967 with our 325hp 396/T400 Camaro when he said it was one of the first combinations he crossed off as not competitive for SS/EA. We held the record for a couple of years and every time we saws him he just shook his head in disbelief.
That DIDN'T happen very often,

Frank

 

another Legend- R.I.P. Grumpy!!!!

 

Ditto!!! The man that tought me all I know..
Rest In Peace ol' Grumpy one...

 

RIP lost a legend

 

R.i.p.

 

Sad day...RIP Grumpy

 

R.i.p.

 

Farewell to Da Grump .... Another of my heros gone

 

Godspeed..

 

This is really sad news. He hadn't been at all well these past few years but it stll hurts. We had been friends more than four decades. I will sorely miss him. Willam Tyler Jenkins never attended college but was one of the best engine builders and race engineers - EVER! He was successful across mutliple motor sports disciplines. And - when he put his mind to it - a much accomplished drag race driver. So long, pal.

May Green lights and checkered flags always mark your passing.

One of your fans,

 

One of the people who put real color in the sport. RIP

 

RIP, Prayers going out to family and friends.

 

R.I.P. to one the legends . Condolences to family and friends .

 

R.I.P. cous

 

Here's a picture I took of him in the spring of 1970 at Island Dragway with a crappy Polaroid. We were at Englishtown when they ran at night for the Summernats in 73 when he bested the field. Great memories. RIP

 

R.I.P. Bill Grumpy Jenkins...

 

The Heros are slowly disappearing.

Rest In Peace Grumpy.

 

I'm a life-long Ford guy and HATED him back in the '70s because he was so damn good. Pissed me off every time I saw that damn Vega & Monza. RIP Grumpy, the mortal world sucks a little more today.

 

One of my original heroes in drag racing,man,we're gettin old!RIP.

 

Man, just saw him in Chicago this last year at the corvette muscle car show, that sucks, RIP

 

neat guy with a ton of creativity...he changed the sport, RIP!

 

Rest In Speed.

 

This is one of the hardest to hear about. He was involved in Super Stock, Factory Experimental and Pro Stock from the beginning up to just a few years ago and never lost the desire to build winning engines. I was always inspired to see him on the starting line at NHRA Nationals either in person or on TV when he was well into his '70s. RIP Grump.