RIP Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins

Sorry to hear this,...... So long Bill,

The ticking of the clock is something none of us can escape from,.. No matter how fast we can go.

 

So sad to hear of Grumpy's passing. Prayers go out to his family and friends.

 

WOW, going to miss Da Grump. Have a lot of his cars in die cast. I proudly wear my Jenkins Competition T shirt all the time. Hits home I have a lot of good memories of him and his cars. RIP "GRUMPY" you'll be missed.

 

Very sad...another legend gone...rest in peace Grumpy!

 

Amen to that! Two guys that did more for engine development than anybody else out there. Could you imagine if those two would have ever teamed up?

 

Godspeed, Bill...

 

Condolences to his family and to all who care about him.

 

Sad to hear. I remember walking to the Sunoco Station near my house in PA in the mid 60's and peeking in the windows to look at his cars. As a car crazy kid in junior high it was a thrill I still remember to this day. He will be missed.

 

Cheers to a man who LIVED his life! RIP.

 

Man. Besides being a master at "tuning" a SBC the man could row a 4 speed with the best of them. Being a Ford guy he was not who I would be rooting for but still you couldn't help but respect his accomplishments. RIP Grumpy.

 

RIP Mr. Jenkins.
Larry T


"William Tyler "Grumpy" Jenkins (born 1930) is an engine builder and retired drag racer. Between 1965 and 1975 he won a total of thirteen NHRA drag races. Jenkins raced in the clutchless planetary gear transmission era. Most of these wins were won with a manually shifted four speed transmission. In 1972 he recorded 250 straight runs without missing a gear shift.

He was formally trained as a mechanical engineer at Cornell University, and he used his training and skills to build engines. He has been inducted in numerous motorsports halls of fame for his engine building skills in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock division.

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. Considered the "Father of Pro Stock", Jenkins-built engines were used to win five NHRA Pro Stock championships and three American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) championships.

He was nicknamed "Grumpy" for having a no-nonsense attitude at races. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America said: "his continual search for improved performance left little time for idle chatter with his racing colleagues."

 

RIP Grump - I be waiting to hear you pulling gears down that long strip in the sky

 

Jenkins had a good life doing what he did best.He lived to 82 which is a lot longer than many of us here will live...Not a loss,but a celebration of life!

 

I just found out about his passing, he was a great guy to work with over the past 35+ years. I really respected him and he was a hoot to hang out with.

May God Bless his family,
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

The big race in the sky just got more competitive....RIP Grumpy....

 

Rest in peace Grump!

 

One final bang-shift. Thanks, Grumpy. Condolences to his family.

 

Man, he could make anything fast, but time marches on and it seems we're losing more everyday...RIP Grumpy!... Brian

 

Sad day. Part of the reason I dig Chevy IIs so much.

 

RIP, another bigger than life hero to a young kid reading Hot Rod back in the late 60s. Thanks for the memories.

 

RIP Grump. You will be missed!

 

QUOTE=51delivery;7611079][/QUOTE] That is wisdom and truth. A very sad day.

 

Grumpy aka 'THE Father of Pro Stock" was not only a great drag racer he was also an innovator! RIP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Jenkins_(dragracer)

 

A true legend. Prayers for his family.

 

Rest in Peace Mr. Jenkins. Your legacy will go on forever.

Pat

 

RIP Grumpy. Thanks for the memories.

 

I met him once, he gave me a dirty look and smiled at my kids. Rest In Peace Grump.

 

Legend.............RIP

 

Rip