Bill Jenkins

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 03-30-2012, 03:40 AM

Back in the summer of 1994 I read in National Dragster The Jenkins Vega was going to be at the California Hot Rod Reunion and "The Grump" was supposed to be there too. A chance to meet a Great Legend, so a couple friends and myself decided we were going. We drove for 22 hours solid to get to Bakersfield. It was a weekend I will never forget. I met Bill and got to know a lot about him and his racing history over the weekend. We spoke about the 66 Chevy II, 68 Nova, Camaro's and Vega's he showed me all the little secrets about the Vega, the paper thin body and strut front end were the highlights. He was eager to share his history with us. Glenn Sharp had just completed the restoration of the car earlier in the year and it was beautiful. Above my fire place hangs a picture of that Grumpy's Toy Vega with me sitting inside, memories of that weekend are remembered daily. Bill's innovations and dedication to the Sport of Drag Racing will live forever...RIP Bill and Thank you. ( I also have read the Grumpy's Toys book and found it to be quite interesting)

03-30-2012, 03:40 AM	#38
MAURICE BLENDHEIM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langley (no igloos), British Columbia, Canada Posts: 570 Likes: 311 Liked 287 Times in 88 Posts	Re: Bill Jenkins Back in the summer of 1994 I read in National Dragster The Jenkins Vega was going to be at the California Hot Rod Reunion and "The Grump" was supposed to be there too. A chance to meet a Great Legend, so a couple friends and myself decided we were going. We drove for 22 hours solid to get to Bakersfield. It was a weekend I will never forget. I met Bill and got to know a lot about him and his racing history over the weekend. We spoke about the 66 Chevy II, 68 Nova, Camaro's and Vega's he showed me all the little secrets about the Vega, the paper thin body and strut front end were the highlights. He was eager to share his history with us. Glenn Sharp had just completed the restoration of the car earlier in the year and it was beautiful. Above my fire place hangs a picture of that Grumpy's Toy Vega with me sitting inside, memories of that weekend are remembered daily. Bill's innovations and dedication to the Sport of Drag Racing will live forever...RIP Bill and Thank you. ( I also have read the Grumpy's Toys book and found it to be quite interesting)