Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova

[Lyn Smith]

There was some good pictures of Grumpys first 66 Nova(red and white car) in a last years edtion of Elapsed Times magazine.He had some small oval black mufflers on it,and short tailpipes.He also had a unique rear suspension at times with 2 air shocks on the right side.Also had a early version of the Lakewood slapper bar,that he helped design.Engine had fenderwell headers,with metal covers over the tubes in the engine compartment.he had a homemade coolcan. I dont think Moroso had come out with them yet,black engine with the chrome l79 valve covers,clutch type multi blade fan.I can scan some pics for you if you cant find the magazine.Bill first raced the car at the Winternationals in 1966.It originally said Grumpy on the door,but was changed to Bill Jenkins in later pictures.Car was destroyed in a towing accident coming home from the US Nationals ,and was replaced by a all white car later in the year.

[modelman1960]

Thanks Lyn, I'd appreciate it if you could scan those photos. I've been using Doug Bryce's book on the History of Grumpy's toys and it only had some pictures of the 2 cars ( 2 color shots of the red car and the others were B/W). None of the interior or engine compartment. Based on your information, I'll most likely be re-doing the engine as I had a chevy organe block, heads, and black valve covers. Aluminum intake. It's already been wired. Ah well. I was attempting to complete this by April for a competition on Utica, NY. Don't think that will happen now though.
Thanks very much in advance for your help.
Walt

[X-TECH MAN]

F.Y.I I have a signed letter here by a Mr. William T. Jenkins (aka Da Grump) dated 3-15-1988 giving me permission to build a life sized clone of his first Nova and to use the name "Grumpy's Toy" and Bill Jenkin's during a visit to his shop. I also received a tour of his shop and the other toys he collected. I found him to be a genuine warm person and not grumpy at all. Its a day I will never forget. As usual life gets in the way and I never got around to it. Maybe someday before I get to old. I keep the letter and magazine stored in a plastic envelope with the article dated October 1966 on his Chev 2.
Terry

[FINESPLINE]

Originally Posted by Lyn Smith

There was some good pictures of Grumpys first 66 Nova(red and white car) in a last years edtion of Elapsed Times magazine.He had some small oval black mufflers on it,and short tailpipes.He also had a unique rear suspension at times with 2 air shocks on the right side.Also had a early version of the Lakewood slapper bar,that he helped design.Engine had fenderwell headers,with metal covers over the tubes in the engine compartment.he had a homemade coolcan. I dont think Moroso had come out with them yet,black engine with the chrome l79 valve covers,clutch type multi blade fan.I can scan some pics for you if you cant find the magazine.Bill first raced the car at the Winternationals in 1966.It originally said Grumpy on the door,but was changed to Bill Jenkins in later pictures.Car was destroyed in a towing accident coming home from the US Nationals ,and was replaced by a all white car later in the year.

Wonder if those small black (maybe painted) oval mufflers were corvair turbo mufflers.

[Charlie A]

Check out the Hurst wheels on the trailer!


And a link you may find useful : http://quartermilers.proboards.com/thread/2516

[modelman1960]

Thanks Charlie for that link you posted. There are some good reference photos of the interior and a photo that looks like he had the fenderwell headers that Lyn Smith mentioned. I'm in the process of removing the ignition wires so I can re-paint the block and heads black. That only makes sense that they were black. I finished an '80 Camaro Pro/S of Grumps and the reference photo ( from Doug Bryces' Book) showed the engine as black. Now it's to search for a set of fenderwell headers.
Thanks for all that have assisted in my project. When I learn how to post pictures on this site, I'll place some pics of both cars.
Have a great day all.
Walt

[Jimbo17]

If you need any of the contingency size decals for the car contact me.

I have them all and can make them in any size you need.

I don't believe Dick Moroso was making the cool cans in 1966 because that would have been about the time he was working with Jere Stahl and before he had returned to Greenwich to start Moroso Performace.

Jim Hill Nostalgic Racing Decals

[Dwight Southerland]

Also, as a bit of trivia, when Jenkins was building the Chevy II was when he and Jere Stahl developed the edgy, competitive relationship that resulted in Grumpy using Hooker headers on the Deuce rather than having Stahl build them.

[Jim Parsons]

Dwight, I believe prior to using Hooker’s he went with Doug headers. I believe they may have offered to pay him for running their products which may have had something to do with the change also. I'm sure it didn't set well with Jere who had supported him for years.