RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins

Rest In Peace Mr. Jenkins

 

we just finished this:



sad news...RIP Mr. Jenkins

 

What you said...

 

May he rest in peace. Grumpy's career and innovations are partly responsible for my love of the automobile.

Another piece of my life has moved on......may God bless you Bill.

 

nice tribute....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJpnzIZjY7E&list=FL6jMytUMp8nMEPKL5qJ3eeA&index=1&feature=plpp_video

 

it is indeed a shame. he was my hero. RIP grump.

 

sad to hear....he was a good wrencher....think he and Ronnie are talkin' old times about now....

 

God bless him. May he rest in peace.............

 

Rest in peace Mr. Jenkins God take care of him and condolences to his family

 

I bet Grumpy and Ronnie Sox are up there talking about some of the great races they had...

RIP and Godspeed Mr Jenkins

 

I bet they're up there racing

 

R.I.P. and God bless! Thanks for the memories Mr. Jenkins.

 

RIP Grumpy..."Mr Small Block Chevy". You were an inspiration to many of us young drag racers.

 

Mine too. Bill Jenkins will always be my racing guru. He would tell some of his secrets knowing that, even with that knowledge, guys wouldn't be able to duplicate his performance. Wish i could have thanked him personally. peace

 

I thought I read where someone said he adjusted the alternators belt tension, so he could blip the throttle and throw the belt at the line for more hp. I think it was on the 66-7 Nova. That's pretty cool in my book. RIP

 

I've known Grumpy since about 1965.......I'll never forget the time he posed almost nude in one of the car mags on a soft floor carpet, cigar in mouth, striking a "girlie" pose with a big grin. He was quite the guy. Went by his home in PA three years ago on vacation, but missed him. Best wishes to his family.

 

Spike..............your prose is fantastic. I could read your stuff al day long. Thanks for sharing.

 

r.i.p " grumpy "

 

Another one lost R.I.P.

 

I used to love watching him. So much intensity and talent.

 

RIP Grump. Last time I BJ he was standing next to me in the staging lanes at Green Valley Raceway in Texas.

(BTW: It was "back in the day", when the pro guys didnt have a roped off circus arena around their cars.)

 

That story is epic. Thanks for sharing.

 

RIP Grumpy....

I had the privlidge of lining up against him at Norwalk, back in the 80's. In my 69 camaro. I was puzzled at the line, either way, win or lose, It was a privledge, it was a strange feeling while the tree is lighting up.

 

I think Grumpy was one of the first "legend" I remember hearing the name of. growing up into hotrods and early camaros his name was some of the first I read about as a teenager in Super Chevy mags. Always wanted to build a street version of his vega.

RIP Grumpy

 

RIP Grumpy.

 

Thank you. I've wanted to post that for a long time but never really saw the point in it. He was a great inspiration to many of us. I was lucky enough to step into his shop...even for just a brief time. haha

Spike

 

Yes, very nice story Spike, a nice personal tribute to a great man. The days of seeing him drive, and seeing his cars run, it seems like just yesterday.......

 

The people who got to see him race and be part of his life are the lucky ones. Hopefully they were able to learn a bit from him. One thing that I do remember about sneaking around the back rooms and garages in his shop was that he had plenty of 'failed" ideas on the shelves. Head ports that didn't gain horses, pistons..all kinds of engine parts. he kept them all..maybe as a reminder, or maybe just to keep them on the back burner. I remember taking calls for him from GM when THEY had questions...it was a great six days. I would do it again.

 

what a true legend from pa ! spike that story is just cool ! but a wheelie across the yard ,it's no wonder he didn't keep ya !! the grass still needed mowed after you were done !! priceless !

 

He sure gave the Ford and Chrysler guys a run for the money. He was one of my idols, while growing up. He was still tuning cars till the day he died. Rest in Peace, Grump. You'll be missed.