When I was 15 I was already working part time with Bill Grumpy Jenkins who was my dads and my good friend and neighbor. He had a great speed shop and pro stock operation. My dad and Bill allowed me to begin working on a Pro Street Vega before it was even popular and I could legally drive yet. I had planned on adding a turbo so I added Manley forged pistons (no dome only 9:1), we O ringed the block, used copper head gaskets and double hump heads which was the first set of heads I ported all by myself. you can imagine with everyones help it had all the goodies. Not happy with just stuffing in the strong smallblock, we put in a street style cage that tied the chassis together (still twisted alot though), shortened ford rear, wheel tubs, and topped it off with a turbo, and a nitrous system. I finished it up when I was 18, now old enough to drive and we had it lettered up "Plumbers Nightmare" from all the turbo and nitrous plumbing. I drove it on the street a bit and took it to the drag strip alot. I had alot of fun going to quite a few Super Chevy meets. I know working for Grumpy was a great advantage as a kid, I couldnt ask for a better building and racing education. I will never forget the great times we had.
Ron Ratoff