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Topic starter
05/05/2010 3:54 pm
My latest acquisition is not your usual Chevy
This is one I missed out on a few years ago, the GMP 1968 Nova of Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, Grumpy's Toy V. Nice detail, including a simulated vinyl top, wired engine, and lots of chassis detail - the oil filter, oil pan, bell housing, and tranny are all different colors, wedged between two massive headers. A classic stock-bodied dragster. Anyone remember what class "SS/D" was?
An interesting story in how I acquired this. A week and a half ago I was tuned in to Car Room Live and e-chatting among the listeners off to the side, somewhat more so when a non-1:43 was discussed. Anyway, one guy mentioned his e-mail which had "tenn" as part of the name. I asked if he was from Tennessee, yada, yada, and eventually we continued the conversation via e-mail directly. I came to find out he had one of these extra and we made a deal. I think this is the first time I have bought something as a result of a live webcast.
05/05/2010 4:02 pm
Very nice and very hard to find. Good deal!
05/05/2010 4:36 pm
I bought this one new from GMP, Harv, many years ago and have always thought it a terrific model. As you point out, the details are terrific.
As for the classes, I don't remember how the "D" was different from A, B, or C
in the "Super Stock" class, but I think it had to do with engine displacement or
perhaps power-to-weight ratio.
I really like the white Hooker headers on this model, as well as the yellow
traction bars and the decals in the side windows. Did you notice that the car
is numbered, via a small silver plaque on the chassis? I don't know how
many were made, and would like to know. What number is on your car's
baseplate?
There's another dragster in the Nova series, the red Fred Gibb car, but it
isn't nearly as attractive as "Grumpy's Toy." By the way, I remember seeing
Bill Jenkins drive at the Cecil County dragway in MD, just south of the PA line,
back in the early '60s. Bill's cars were sponsored by Ammon R. Smith Chevy
out of York, PA, as I recall, and I saw him drive the Novas as well as earlier
Chevy 409s. He was really something!
Congrats on getting one. I really like mine, and would be reluctant to sell it.
Rick
05/05/2010 10:33 pm
Nice ! A great find there, Harvey.
06/05/2010 2:19 am
Thanks, Karl. And in my posting above, I should have said that it was my opinion that the "Grumpy's Toy V" is a more attractive model than the
all-red Fred Gibb Nova. Others might legitimately disagree.
BTW, there's a Fred Gibb Nova on ebay right now for a very reasonable price.
Just search for GMP Nova and it pops right up. 'Twould make a great companion
piece to the other one.
06/05/2010 3:39 am
Rick - Thanks for the tip on the Fred Gibb Nova on ebay! Just bought it - and as you said, very reasonable at $30.99 including shipping. I collect 1/43 muscle cars, and this will be a great addition to my collection. Noted that there is also a Grumpy's Toy also up for auction - but it is autographed on the roof and listed at $99 plus shipping.
Thanks again for the tip - that's what makes this forum so great!
06/05/2010 7:04 am
My pleasure, Ken. Glad that you saw my post and were able to snag the Nova!
Topic starter
06/05/2010 2:03 pm
Rick - I agree with all your points. Mine is #1828
I have the Fred Gibb car too and it pales in comparison.
Topic starter
06/05/2010 2:06 pm
Interesting Karl - so if you go faster, you jump a class!
06/05/2010 2:46 pm
Interesting, Harv. I would not have guessed that the numbers went that high. That means they made quite a lot of them, yet they still aren't easy to
come by. I guess that reinforces my contention that those who have them
aren't anxious to give them up. I don't collect racecars of any type, as a general
rule, but I gladly made an exception in this case. This one is really sweet.
Mine is number 0788, by the way.