A former lightweight boxer, Jenkins was of Welsh ancestry. He mainly was based in Ohio. Former Cole works driver, who was good at hillclimbing and road races, he was also a car owner. A daring driver, his career stuttered to a halt after his involvement in Harry Knight's fatal accident. After boxing, he promised his wife he would quit, settle down and work in the family quarry. But he then quit, fought in the Spanish-American war, then worked in Indiana as a superintendent on a railway, light and power business. After he was laid off, he returned to Ohio, joined Cole and went from there. Later worked for Stutz, and set a few speed records, but then devoted his time and money to creating a valveless engine, but it left him financially bereft. After his daughter became ill, he moved to Texas, but he died there of bone cancer. Johnny was born as William John Jenkins, but by the turn of the century, had started calling himself John.

Biography last updated 4 Feb 2024