While perusing my old drag racing magazines and the interweb, I came across this gem which transported back in time to racing's past. William "Grumpy" Jenkins, so named because of his rather clinical and sometimes gruff demeanor on the drag strip, was a legendary engine builder and drag racer in the 1960's and 70's. He won multiple NHRA events across multiple classes but was most well known for his 4 speed Chevy based lightweights.

And one of his prized rides was "Grumpy's Toy," which went through several different evolutions throughout its, and his, life. "Grumpy's Toy XIV," in particular, was a Pro Stock Mountain Motor Match Race Monza and it's up for sale right now. Let's check out this historic and brutally fast ex-racer and see what it's all about.

Bill Jenkins' "Grumpy's Toy"

via ProStockMonza

According to the seller, "[t]his 1977 Chevrolet Monza is the car driven by Bill Jenkins and Larry Lombardo exclusively during the lucrative match races of the late 70's. It has been restored and updated to meet present safety standards! Completely approved and authorized by Bill " Grumpy" Jenkins with signed documentation! This car has made numerous appearances and exhibition match races throughout the country to include but not limited to Raceway Park Old Bridge NJ, Virgina Motorsports Speedway, Z-Max Concord NC, MapleGrove Dragstrip PA, and has been featured in numerous dragracing periodicals."

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Big Block Chevy Mountain Motor

via ProStockMonza

All of the various iterations of "Grumpy's Toy" featured Chevy engines from small blocks all the way up to bored and stroked Rat motors. The particular engine used in the 1977 Monza was a big block with custom aluminum heads and massively oversized valvetrain. The bottom end was lightened, balanced and fitted with high compression slugs. And up top there is a high rise, tunnel ram aluminum intake manifold fitted with a pair of Holley Dominator carbs.

It also has an electric water pump to keep all the ponies where they belong and it has a hand fabricated set of stepped headers. An oversized radiator is used alosng with selective lightening throughout the car. The rearend is a severely narrowed Ford 9" stuffed with dragged gears. On the inside it has a lightweight NHRA approved bucket seat, harnesses, shift kit, fore extinguisher, and all current safety equipment so you can go racing too right out of the box.

Wanna Own A Piece Of History?

via Hemmings

According to the current seller, the car has been "signed by Bill " Grumpy" Jenkins, Larry Lombardo and Susan Jenkins. Larry is considered by many as one of the top 10 Pro Stock Drivers of all time! This car has appeared numerous times with Larry as he attended exhibition drag racing events and select car shows. For more info see Prostockmonza." If you're interested in owning this unique piece of drag racing history it's being offered for $249,000 but the price is negotiable. Buckle up.

Sources: ProStockMonza, Hemmings

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