The career of 

Various stages of life of the man and a couple of his Super Stock racing buddies that put some ideas and rules on some paper then took their notes to Wally Parks at NHRA Head Quarters only to be on the ground floor of class Pro Stock.

The presentation that changed it all Back in 1970.

All of these pictures represent one car:a 1974 Chevy Vega at various stages of its life. I (Wayne S. Meli)own this car a Pro Stock Vega that was originally  built in late 1973 by Mike Valerio in Cleveland, Ohio. It was built in Mike's shop (aka: Valchem). The car starts as a "Body in white" just the body it is then stripped of all its inner body components that are no longer needed then the body is acid dipped to lighten the car even more. Then using chromoly tubing (strong lite weight tubing as used in aircraft).

The frame /chassis is built into the lite-weight body. The cars driveline is then installed. The differential/rear end, is a full floating axle, Dana "60" series that has been shortened to fit under the body of a 1974 Vega. The motor that came in the Vega was just a little 4 cylinder aluminum motor. It is replaced with a small block Chevy V-8 engine and the engine will be then be attached to a 4 speed Lenco transmission that will have a short driveshaft that will be hooked to the Dana 60 rear end, then using lite-weight aluminum they build the floor panels that cover the chromoly tubing. This car is then painted and lettered as a tribute to the late Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins.

This car is now campaigned at special nostalgia Pro Stock events by Judy & Wayne Meli. The car is driven by Kevin Robb from Denver, PA. This Vega is one of numerous cars that were built for Bill Jenkins. This is "Grumpy's Toy X Nostalgia Pro Stock car.