"Grumpy" Jenkins, Pro Stock Legend Bill Jenkins' Chevy & Mopar Drag Racing Machines

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The Chevy & Mopar Drag Racing Machines of Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins - By K. Scott Teeters

The car bug bit me in 1965 when I saw my first Corvette at a local Chevrolet dealership in neighboring Haddonfield, NJ. It wasn't long before I started spending my allowance on car magazines and model kits. I was a bald-faced, budding "car guy." Because of my affection for Corvettes, I was keyed into the Chevrolet line of cars. When the car mags were on fire September '67 with the news of the all-new "Chevy Camaro," that did it! I was hooked on Corvettes, Camaros, Chevys, and muscle cars. The "Muscle Car Wars" were on and my only regret was that I didn't have a driver's license! For me, Corvettes were the ultimate American performance car because the big 427s were arguably as quick as anything on the road, AND they could go around curves like nothing else from Detroit. Unfortunately for my road racing fantasies, the only race track in the area was Atco Raceway, a drag strip. So, I got into drag racing. By '68 I began to notice a local guy from Malvern, PA (about 35 miles from me) that was beating up on the Mopars in Stock Eliminator and Super Stock Eliminator with his all-white Chevy Camaro called, "Grumpy's Toy." Little did we know at the time, but 40 year later, we're still talking about Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins.

Over the years, many fans have had several interesting "Grumpy encounters" and have collected numerous amusing stories and photos of The Grumpy One. I've also created many pen & ink illustrations of Bill's cars that have appeared in many car magazines. More on that later. But for now, let's have a look at the race cars of Bill Jenkins.

I have a collection of 14 pen & ink illustrations of "Grumpy's Toy" and "Old Reliable" cars from 1963 to 1978. To check the prints out, go to the "Grumpy Collection," One of my projects is to create a completely new series of "Grumpy's Toys" prints. After the final illustration is completed, I'll be making a montage print of all 16 "Grumpy's Toy" race cars that I'm hoping will be completed soon..Take a look at a few of my prints I feature on this lens. I'll be posting updates here.

Bill Jenkins' Race Cars 

A Look Back at Grumpy Jenkins' Bad-Ass Chevys and Mopars

Yes Bowtie Chevy fans, Da Grump used to race Mopars. His Super Stock and Factory Experimental Dodges were just as fierce as his Chevys. Actually, Bill probably could have made a six-cylinder Rambler American into a fast race car. Back in the '60s, what gave Bill his unique edge was the fact that he was a degreed mechanical engineer and took a scientific approach to drag racing. It didn't take long before hundreds of drag racing Chevrolet cars wearing the familiar "Jenkins Competition" logo were setting national records at NHRA, AHRA, and IHRA drag strips all over America.

Here's a list of Bill Jenkins' race cars. Click on the Grumpy Collection to see the Pen & Ink versions that are presently available.

1. 1961 Chevy 409 Biscayne Old Reliable I - Owned by Dave Strickler, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in OS/S - Optional Super Stock
2. 1962 Chevy 409 Biscayne Old Reliable II - Owned by Dave Strickler, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in A/Stock, Super stock, and FX - Factory Experimental.
3. 1962 Chevy 409 Impala Old Reliable III - Owned by Dave Strickler, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in FX - Factory Experimental.
4. 1961 Z11 427 Chevy Impala "Old Reliable IV" - Owned by Dave Strickler, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in FX - Factory Experimental.
5. 1964 Hemi Dodge "The Dodge Boys" - Owned by Dave Strickler, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in A/FX - A/Factory Experimental.
6. 1965 Hemi Plymouth "The Black Arrow" - Owned by Doc Burgess, wrenched by Bill Jenkins. Ran in FX - Factory Experimental and S/S - Super Stock.
7. 1966 Chevy II Grumpy's Toy I - Ran in A/Stock Class.
8. 1966 Chevy II Grumpy's Toy II- Ran in Super Stock/C Class.
9. 1967 Camaro Grumpy's Toy III - Ran in Super Stock/C, Super Stock/D, B/Gas, and Modified Production.
10. 1968 Camaro Grunpy's Toy IV - Ran in Pro/Stock.
11.1968 Chevy II Grumpy's Toy V - Ran in Super Stock/D.
12. 1969 Camaro Grumpy's Toy VI - Ran in Super Stock and Pro/Stock.
13. 1970 Camaro Grumpy's Toy VII - Built for show and promotion only.
14. 1970 Camaro Grumpy's Toy VIII - Ran in Pro/Stock 1970 - 1971.
15. 1972 Vega Grumpy's Toy IX - Ran in Pro/Stock 1972.
16. 1972 Vega Grumpy's Toy X - Ran in Pro/Stock 1973.
17. 1974 Vega Grumpy's Toy XI - Ran in Pro/Stock 1974 - 1975.
18. 1975 Monza Grumpy's Toy XII - Ran in Pro/Stock 1975 - 1976.
19. 1977 Monza Grumpy's Toy XIII - Ran in Pro/Stock 1977.
20. 1978 Monza Grumpy's Toy XIV - Ran in Pro/Stock 1978 - 1979.
21. 1980 Camaro Grumpy's Toy XV - Ran in Pro/Stock 1980 - 1981.
22. 1981 Camaro Grumpy's Toy XVI - Ran in Pro/Stock 1981 - 1982.
23. 1983 Camaro Grumpy's Toy XVII - Ran in Pro/Stock 1983.

SOLD! 1974 Chevrolet Vega Pro-Stock "Grumpy" Bill Jenkins' Car 

At the 2007 Barret-Jackson Auction for $577,500.00!

This was the world champion car that revolutionized Pro Stock Car Drag Racing. Go to the Grumpy Jenkins Barre t-Jackson page for more details.

Take a look at the Pen and Ink rendering of this champion car by automotive artist, K. Scott Teeters. You may go to Scott Teeters Motorhead Shop for purchasing details.

One of DA GRUMP'S All Time Popular Pro Stock Cars!! 

Grumpy Bill Jenkins' Pro Stock 1968 Chevy Camaro

"Grumpy's Toy IV" For details to purchase this pen and ink rendering, Visit www.precision-illustration.com and click on The Grumpy Collection to the left.

Grumpy Tales 

One of the true "characters" of drag racing!

Bill Jenkins didn't get that "Grumpy" nickname for nothing. Many have had interesting and amusing Grumpy encounters. I'll be adding mine as the lens progresses. If you too have a cool "Grumpy Tale" to tell, let's hear it!

Lensmaster

CorvetteGuy427 wrote...

Faye Rutledge wrote in:

These were taken at the Bristol TN NHRA Spring Nationals in 1973!

Gee, I didn't realize unitl I just went back to his squidoo page, that your husband made the illustrations! Wow!! He's so talented! I will probably be making a purchase for my husband, but can't decide which one! Maybe for Christmas, and I'll get the montague! Does he ever do the illustrations of personal photos? Not the whole photo, but of the car in the photo?

Answer: Yes Faye, I do commissions. Go to www.precision-illustration.com for details . Go to the original commissions page.

--Fayes photo is in the next module

ReplyPosted August 28, 2009

Lensmaster

CorvetteGuy427 wrote...

Bill Jenkins didn't get that "Grumpy Jenkins" nickname for nothing. There are hundreds of amusing "Grumpy Tales" out there. If you have one, let's hear it! I'll got many that I'll adding to this Squidoo lens, as well as some funny photos of "Happy Grumpy" that are sure to bring a smile to your face!

ReplyPosted April 26, 2009

This was taken at the Bristol TN NHRA Spring Nationals in 1973! 

Courtesy of Ken & Faye Rutledge

It looks to be Grumpy's Toy IX, his 1972 Pro Stock Chevy Vega. This was a great year for the Grump. He pocketed nearly $250,000 in moola. The car was painted red to start the 73 season. Later, this car was destroyed in a wreck. But we have this great photo to remember. Thank you, Ken & Faye!

Your Favorite Grumpy's Toy? 

Have you seen Bill Jenkins' Cars in an actual race?

Time to share. When did you first see Grumpy's drag racing machines? Which is your favorite? Tell us your story. How did you become a Grumpy fan?

Lensmaster

flyboy1 wrote...

I did see Bill jenkins race his ChevyII at Vargos Dragway in Bedminster township Pennslyvania in 1966 or 1967 at a special grudge match with the Sox and Martin Hemi Cuda. I specifically remember how Grumpy checked out his lane and swept the starting box area with a broom before he went out and whipped Ronnie Sox. Watching the Grump push that broom with that cigar in his mouth was unforgettable.

ReplyPosted August 18, 2009

Lensmaster

partybuzz wrote...

My husband went to the race at Bristol in 1973, and Grumpy won that race! He has a picture of the car, a 72 Vega. If you'd like me to email you a picture, let me know. He has other pictures also, one is a 66 Nova. He is a big fan!

ReplyPosted May 01, 2009

by CorvetteGuy427

Hi, I'm K Scott Teeters and I love Squidoo! You know me as the Automotive Artist and Writer, featured in Super Stock and Drag Illustrated and other ma... (more)

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