Grumpy's Toys

Grumpys Toys is available online and in book stores now. Check out Amazon.com for a look inside.
Side note; The images depicted in this slide are internet finds and I claim no ownership to them. All photos in the Grumpys Toys book have been used with written permission and differ from what you see here.
Slide show created by [e-mail]

[@tedbarnhart]

I just found out about Grumps passing. This man could make a Chevy V-8 sing like no other! There will never be another Bill Jenkins. RIP.

[@imbatman3620]

"Grumpy Jenkins" The Greatest!

[@randyjones7818]

TheBatt1958.....69.68 camaro..very pretty..most famous..r.jonrs

[@WalterEBird]

I've known of Bill Grumpy Jenkins for 45+ years and No One could ever MATCH Bills knowledge EVER, RIP BILL, I love you for you have given in your written books, I still read them, it's like he is with me, GOD bless you my brother in life ! forever, WEBII

[@fiddlerpin]

We lost another great legend of drag racing. I don't know why they called him Grumpy as he was the nicest guy to his fans. RIP Grump we miss ya!

[@BigJimArizona]

Excellent video !! Bill represented Chevy lovers from the early 1960's til the day he passed away. He was a legend with the wrenches and behind the wheel of his many Pro Stock cars!! Rest in Peace Old Friend... Big Jim...

[@zubitron5]

He had some great and epic battles with Ronnie Sox. Great racers, competitors and men, both.

[@clinteastwood9115]

He did great considering no support from GM . Not many could do what he did!

[@RobertLee-xc1qv]

The grump was the best at what i thought was magic with engines. Setting picking the right model car too race. My man.

[@wedontjudge7166]

He was one of the greatest. I got to see him at Kil Kare in Xenia, Ohio in the Vega with dyno Don, Bill Stepp, and Bob Glidden. It was one of my favorite nights.

[@tfjack97]

I was there too, I was in highschool and my brother took me with him, what a great evening that was.

[@craigewen2878]

Bill Jenkins showed even GM what he could do with GM stuff like no other .

[@rjb073]

Jenkins was to GM what Garlits was to MOPAR. The best in 1966 for the NHRA was Stahl vs Jenkins. What a weekend of racing that was. Chevy Vs Chevy.

[@hobbeekid]

RIP Grumpy, one of the greats of the sport!!!!

[@rjb073]

I have a picture of his original car named "The Northwind" if you would like to see it.

[@buff6637]

I used to work up the street from his shop in the 80s in Malvern Pa...lot of great sounds coming out of there! My Father saw a lot of Bill at local tracks circa Old Reliable..later on they had the same Doctor.(would see him in waiting room) said he was a funny but serious guy! The Best!!!

[@BobbyDee51]

Oh the memories. Loved the Grump.

[@dennisholst4322]

Tore em a new asshole

[@dennisholst4322]

No laddy daddy

[@dennisholst4322]

Super stock winding out in low

[@alloyrat]

My hero and mentor. The best field test engineer Chevy ever had. Miss you Grump...

[@oldsguy49]

In his book The Chevrole Racing Engine there are pictures of things he started with. It all looks like, well what it is. Chevrolet parts. There weren't any Eagle cranks or whatever. What he could do is amazing. It you haven't ever tried to make a car run faster, it's hard to grasp the concept. Imagine, a Muncie shifted at 9000 rpms and trying to keep the little pointy parts intact with that much power and those tires. Truly a testament to his work ethic.

[@CannTankerous]

Bill Jenkins-now there's a name. The Grump made a huge contribution to American motorsports, to racing engine technology and to Chevrolet. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest competitors to ever turn a tire in anger on the 1320.

[@chevytom55]

he was the nicest guy, I remember him so well, always had encouragement for an aspiring racer, and praises for a winner.

[@zxtenn]

I think he ran BB in the Camaros and SB in the Vega and Monza- Remember his Vega VS the Pinto battles, back in those days low to mid 9's were the times to beat

[@Mr1963chevy]

chevrolet owes a whole to bill jenkins and smokey yunicks.these were the chevy men from both of racings best worlds.my hats off to both of them.ive said it before,they both of them are from outer space.geniuses!

[@rjb073]

I think some credit should go to Dave Strickler who ran the car "The Old Reliable." He had two very good sponsors in GM and Ammon R. Smith Chevrolet. Check it out. Dave was a great person to be around. Well off, but not snooty.

[@vf74tomcat]

3:29 racing together once again! RIP Lee Shepherd and Grumpy!!

[@roncoburn7771]

Loved lee shepherd back in the day still have his t shirt

[@1971Racefan]

R.I.P. Grumpy.

[@gearheadblane6265]

Great video. Many thanks. His cars looked so plain Jane but he didn't build them to look good, he built them to win. Bill Jenkins was also a great innovator. Always looking for an edge. Thanks so much for the memories of a truly great racer.

[@user-nj1qo7cg8k]

The more I watched about this man, the more respect I have for him!! He was not cocky, he was humble, but he was a hard man to beat!! Love you Grumpy!@

[@376cubicinches]

Great video about Grumpy. One of the best in drag racing and inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

[@ronniehaley384]

Love the music !! Ronnie Sox and grumpy !

[@rogergoins9404]

Jazz the true innovative riff The original

[@nocrap62]

Saw him and Don Nickleson match race one time. Bill was driving a 1967 Camero and Don had a 1965 Comet. Grumpy won all three runs, but for the last race Bill drained all fluids from trans and rear end. I asked him why? He answered; "Don has the Comet lined out and will be touch...the trans and rearend will last one round." Bill won, but Don was right on his ass. That was at the River-Side Drag strip at Proctorville, Ohio. Summer 1968

[@jamesmcclure4743]

Zeke Weed, wow Zeek i was there also. Remember it like it was yesterday. I lived in South Point, Ohio at the time and got to see some really cool races at Riverside. Great times.

[@victoriab7729]

Neal Branch My dad took my brother and i to the big name events like that at riverside. We lived in flatwoods Ky , I can still remember those radio promotions for riverside! Do you guys remember Darrell Kazee? he ran a 69 427 camaro A/s, Yrs later i bought that car without the 427. Funny i used to watch that same car When i was a kid. Wish i still had it!! I'd like to see some videos of that strip. Had Lots of fun there when i was young.

[@psufbfan01]

RIP Grumpy....you were one of a kind to Drag Racing's Pro Stock Class as both a racer and master mind Engineer!

[@olechevyguy]

My hero for a very long time and I'm 68. RIP my man, don't miss second gear!!!

[@331Toy]

Love the sound of the Brass.

[@rogergoins9404]

This song has been sampled by so many today

[@davidkeeton6716]

I think it's neat that he used to run at Baileyton. My 68 used to launch like his and run almost as quickly when he was running SS/C.

[@NickBayne6]

Grumpys toy #14 was on sale at Mecum today in Harrisburg, PA

[@49GMC]

rip mr. chevrolet, thanks for the great memories!

[@DUNEATV]

The music was perfect for this video!

[@FarOutRadioMusic]

If you are a Grumps fan, get the book, "Grumpy's Toys", it's fantastic!

[@thehoundz1]

I remember one time in York PA, Bill brought 2 camaros to town to race with Dave Strickler .wanting to find out which was naturaly the fastest.Story goes it was at the Lincoln Highway Garage,on the old rt 30. Both cars did wheel stands,heading east, from the stop light. Bill picked the fastest to improve..love it!

[@garyulyssesking]

I still have Grumpy's centerfold hanging in my garage.

[@OutlawMercenary]

lol......now THATS sexy man cave shit right there.....

[@zxtenn]

SAW him in action around 72-73 at NY National speedway as a teenager, that little 327 running 9.50 at about 135, him and Glidden had some battles in the day-- Seems he never got a BB close to the SB time

[@FABRIC8TIONUNLIMITE1]

THE MAN !!!! " Bill Jenkins" THE LEGEND !!!

[@LB6060]

The king is dead. R.I.P., Grump.

[@michaelraddish7898]

Grumpy did my 396 375, a/s cylinder heads in 1968. He also guided me through a trick he invented with the solid lifters. I ran his the nhra legal camshsft. Grumpy was the first to figure out how to make a bbc. Compete

[@dennisamburn4017]

Thanks for sharing this video! I saw Grumpy run the vega at Bristol it was amazing to watch !

[@LordFaulkin]

Thanks. I remember Grumpy Jenkins. Nice to see photos of him in his glory days.

[@ftgrat1]

RIP Grumpy! I learned a ton of info from you! Great vid!

[@dynodon100]

I had the luck of going to the Phelps school in Malvern Pa. and got to know him quite well (I couldn't understand why they called him Grump)and he was VERY nice to everyone! He is in good company up there,that I am shure!

[@michaelcopeland6159]

Nice soundtrack ... "1980" - Herb Alpert

[@dcfire2222]

Love this! Seen all of this at Byron!

[@eddiedawkins5360]

The Novas,Camaros,Vegas,and Monzas were the coolest

[@BobDodge]

What a great video !! Rest In Peace: Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, you will be missed

[@barrypfost2963]

I got his 1968 camaro!/+1/24 scale die cast signed!

[@sharpshootah8852]

R.i.p grumpy!

[@larrylomascolo6289]

I bought a t-shirt off him at 85 U.S Nationals Lepone was driving then,i remember Warren Johnson had his pit all covered up and motor always hidden from public eye

[@davidkeeton6716]

I heard this song Rise by Herb Alpert today and THIS VIDEO popped into my head. Great video, perfect period correct music.

[@Ralphlovs69cars]

What a great video of a great legend.....see you at the races Grumpy!! R.I.P.

[@lostsoul3154]

GM let him (et al) down in early '63 when it got out of the racing scene -- bad mistake.

[@427dynodon]

Really enjoyed the photos of the car and different drag strips.

[@marthashanahan6889]

Grump's cars bring back many great memories even though my favorite was Dyno Don.

[@michaelgarris1627]

Bob Glidden ford

[@JovialSkunk]

Good stuff,well peiced together.Anxiously awaing the release of the Bill jenkins bio.

[@rogergoins9404]

This Song is fitting both the Grump and the song were EPIC INNOVATIVE AND LEADERS IN THEIR FEILDS

[@thehazguy]

AWESOME, miss those times

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

The Legend lives on

[@Motown454]

Awesome Thanks for posting!

[@m655john]

That white 68 Camaro was the most badass car I’ve ever seen and I’ve ioved some mustangs in my day. Hated Sox and Martin for beating Grumpy so often.

[@pndmnky]

my childhood hero, have a 75 starfire going together, always loved those h bodies..rip grumpy...

[@hammondleroy]

Mr Bill Grumpy Jenkins, You will be missed by me, Since 1972 I have been a fan, May you rest in PEACE!

[@robmurray2936]

awesome vid- love the music too!...

[@jimdandy6240]

Cecil County drag-o-way, 1969, two stock cars sitting at the tree, and theres Jenkins in his camaro in back of the car in the right lane, Bill pulls around in front of it and from a slow rolling start , takes off on a test run ! LOL.

[@22Phanatic]

Met Bill Jenkins back when he was racing the 68 camaro in Englishtown Good ol days !

[@mothertree]

Great Video !!! Bill Jenkins...

[@morenecornelius2453]

🤦😭this take me back to LaPlace dragstrip New Orleans mid 70's. I've seen them so much fun including Ronnie Sox and the list goes but it's hard to it was so much fun back then

[@cancorvette]

i did not know he was gone He was a true master got to talk one on one at dragway park cayuga we will miss you man

[@wrdjr10gmail]

Herb Alpert - Rise .........Great Vid Killer Camaros

[@anthonysuppers8090]

Grumpy wok his first ever race at my since torn-down home track back in the 50’s

[@2fast65]

Kick ass love the old school draig cars!!!!

[@micksterboone4517]

Legend

[@rogergoins9404]

RIP TO GRUMPY NICE WORK USING THIS SONG TO THIS EPIC FOOTAGE IS LIKE QUINTON Terrantino

[@robertbaker9385]

Grumpy was a great man he would help you if he could but was all so a ferrous competitor. R.I.P. GRUMPY you will always be the best in my eyes.

[@gerdes75]

RIP Grumpy!!!

[@mso430]

Got to see him win the 67 Nationals. A great Labor Day event dominated by Don Garlits.

[@hammondleroy]

Great Video Thanks!

[@KeyoRacing]

I'm from Phila. He was so big around here when i was a kid....

[@patrickabernethy2970]

He was the Nightmare on Chrysler street. Even the Mopar big dogs had trouble with him

[@larrylomascolo6289]

my favorite u-tube vide,music is killer

[@NSCA12]

Soundtrack is Herb Albert "Rise". R.I.P. - Grumpy.

[@Warrensdeciple]

The King !

[@ripwtc91101]

my dad said it best... theres garlits, the grump, and everyone else is a runner-up

[@belair55zz56]

Those were the days.

[@gcdavisiii]

I think it came from somebody saying that he resembled the Dwarf "Grumpy"in the move "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" He had the beard even then.

[@sum12see]

The God Father of Pro Stock! What a runner!

[@68chargercrazy]

Master of the even wheeled wheelie

[@jeffmartin6195]

Saw grumpy run that vega when I was about 10 never forgot BAD MAN

[@MrD2118]

Nice Video!

[@rjb073]

Jenkins is from back in the day. I ran AHRA back then, never against him, but I ran a car called the North Wind, in case someone might remember it.

[@396belair]

grumpy the man.....RIP

[@shotgunarms]

Grumpy is the MAN

[@matthewhughes9169]

That tune sounds like the music to the rappers buggy smalls hypnotise

[@sparkymcplumpthepolydactyl2079]

Matthew Hughes correct. Notorious B.I.G. Samples this for ‘Hypnotize’ Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass did the original ‘Rise’

[@kennydemartini2169]

Ahhhh, back when Pro Stock and Super Stock cars actually looked identical to the cars you bought from the dealership! None of this current carbon fiber, stretched wheelbase, wind tunnel tested unrecognizable pieces of crap you see going down the track today!

[@ledheadbobh]

@icdedpepl MOST WERE POWERED BY 331 SMALL BLOCK CHEVY'S

[@karkrazy559]

Best looking Camaros and novas

[@fredrichardson3767]

Once again music fits the time.

[@icdedpepl]

I wonder if any of those old Vegas had Big Blocks in em ?