Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

Hello all,
I'm building a replica 1/24 scale Nova after Bill Jenkins car. I was only 13 yrs. old at that time and can't recall if Stock Eliminator cars were required to have an exhaust system still "hung" on the car. Do any of you long time racers remember the 1966 rules?
And now the tough ones:
Were "cool cans" aka Moroso cool cans in vogue in 1966? and did Bill use one on the Nova?
Did he use an aftermarket coil instead of the stock coil?
I'm trying to make this car as close as I can to the actual.
Thanks in advance for all the help provided.
Walt:)

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

Exhaust system: Yes. Most were constructed of small, thin wall tubing and the hot lick was 18-24" round tractor mufflers hung right in front of the rear end. I believe that is what was on the Chevy II I saw. Remember that he had two of those cars. The first was damaged in a towing accident.

Cool cans: Yes, for some. Aftermarket products were not available yet. I do not remember if one was on the Chevy II.

Coil: Grump used GM stock looking coils (black). He used the Corvette pn coil for a dual point application when using a point distributor mounted on the firewall.

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

Thanks very much Dwight. I'm doing the "Red" one that was wrecked.
I'll post a picture when it's completed. I really appreciate your help.
Have a great day.
Walt

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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.

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...AEtKk1pEMmcMVOhttp://images14.fotki.com/v219/photo...oyinred-vi.jpg

Check out the Hurst wheels on the trailer!


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

http://kustomsandchoppersmagazine.co...umpysnovab.jpg

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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

Re: Questions re: "Grump's" 66 Nova
 

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