1972 Chevrolet Pro Stock Vega Coupe

The early 1970s: sky-rocketing gasoline prices; highway speed limits dropped to 55; new car sales way down; high performance was dead. Selling small cars became a priority, and drag racing rules rapidly changed to favor them. Bill 'Grumpy' Jenkins had become a major force in Pro Stock drag racing by then, having established a tremendous record of wins with big inch engines in mid-size cars. He shifted to the short wheelbase, lightweight Vega powered by small inch engines.

This 'Grumpy's Toy X', is that car, restored to period correct specifications and livery. At its introduction, Bill was the all-time Pro Stock win leader with ten championships, and this Vega continued that legacy. During 1972, he stunned the ChryCo 'Hemi Haulers' by shutting them out, adding 11 more Pro Stock wins and earning $250,000 for his efforts while setting NHRA Pro Stock ET and speed records; 9.42 seconds at 146.81 mph that left nothing for the 'Hemi Haulers' in national championship competition.

Jenkins was voted to the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcaster Association All-American team and received at least 16 Car Craft magazine All-Star Team awards along with Pro Stock Driver of the Year. During 1972, Bill earned drag racing's first 'Grand Slam' by winning each of NHRA's national events. He was the first driver to win all eight National events on NHRA's calendar. He went on to four more quarter-million dollar seasons. With 330 cubic-inch Joe Tryson built 'small block' engines, this Vega ruled Pro Stock drag racing.