1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko Tribute
Don Yenko, a major high performance dealer for many years, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the L72 Camaro. In the years preceding 1969, Don Yenko performed many engine conversions on the 427ci, replacing the factory engine in numerous Camaros and Chevelles. In 1969 however, a new network of super car distributors was established, and Yenko quickly realized it would not be cost effective to swap out every engine. So he contacted GM and requested these 427's be installed from the factory. The COPO 9561 was established by GM from the central office, and the Yenko Camaro was born, with an initial order of 201.
This wild ride is now on consignment here within the Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall. Our consignor picked it up from Pottstown PA where it has been sitting since 1984 and proceeded to do a full nut and bolt rotisserie restoration and along the way, managing to morph it into a Yenko Tribute car. Right out of 1969 and the bowtie company, a Camaro Yenko Tribute example. Drop the handkerchief and kiss my ass.
Exterior
Taking its unassuming original Camaro look you may pass it right by. However upon closer inspection, that Hugger Orange paint in beautiful condition, miles deep and buffed to perfection. This orange, sports some correct Yenko stickers in the form of a Yenko diamond on the front of the hood, and dual racing stripes going to the windshield, ending on cowl induction scoop covering a 4 barrel Holley carb directly underneath. A triple threat white side spear sticker, starting at the front quarter, and racing rearward widens at the rear quarter with more Yenko badging, ending after turning upward and framing a rear spoiler. The top is full metal jacket orange painted and has chrome trimmed excellent condition glass. Chrome bumpers are excellent, badging is correct and a nicely restored egg crate grille has single headlights on either corner. A black chin spoiler is also on front below the bumper. In back, triple horizontal Camaro lighting is making the car look like a wide track version. Helping in this are the large American Racing Torque Thrust 5 spoke polished wheels in back wrapped by 28x12.00R15's and in front smaller 26x8.00R15's. A great stance and fab look for this orange crusher.
Interior
Fully restored, it is hard to find any fault on this interior. Nice ribbed black door panels have shiny cranks and a nifty rectangular Camaro badging in the center. Beautiful buckets, draped in ribbed black vinyl, float in a sea of unmarked, like new black carpet. These buckets have the essential sYc badging on the headrests. The simple deep dish dual square instrument original dash is upfront, as is the original steering wheel. Added is a white faced tachometer mounted to the column. To the driver's right is a newer AM/FM/Cassette radio, and vertical mounted climate sliders. Mounted high in the hump is a Quicksilver B&M shifter. The hump meets up with a nicely preserved matching black rear bench in back. Above the black headliner seems fairly tight with a few panels showing just a bit of light folds. All very clean and plenty of attention to have everything looking very original.
Drivetrain
The mean spirited 502ci V8 which the consignor states is a ZZ502 crate mill is stuffed under the hood. It has aluminum heads, and is topped with a 4-barrel Holley 750cfm double pumper carburetor. On back is a TH400 3-speed automatic, and power spins the rear tires via a 12 bolt 3.73 Posi rear axle from Moser. Hooker headers and a Flowmaster exhaust is now installed for the exhale. Supple hoses and black and orange paint with no corrosion or surface rust and this bay is a stunner!
Undercarriage
Just wonderfully restored with clean and sound undercarriage parts, most new including a new Rock Valley stainless fuel tank, fuel pump and brake lines. Meanwhile the frame and stamped steel floor pans are all sprayed with bed liner, then rust uprooted by Amile and these are a deep end of the pool unmarred, un-splashed black. The back has been mini tubbed, and the front has a 2-inch suspension drop. Power disc brakes are on for the front independent coil spring suspension in front, and in back are power drums as well as leaf springs for the back. All new bushings, belts and black coverings and you'll need to go out and buy a mirror to show off this underside.
Drive-Ability
This car fired up immediately and ran just swimmingly fast as expected. All working perfectly with functionality and real head turning capabilities. Convincingly Yenko fer sur!
A tribute to a piece of COPO history here with an enterprising speed man taking advantage of the system, until it was found out that any dealer could order a COPO Camaro and indeed the engines were being installed within the factory confines. Still the initial concept is there, and overall with the very limited production numbers a tribute is the surefire way to go. This particular tribute has been painstakingly built from scratch, and is available at a fraction of the price, with uncompromising looks and power.
124379N576669
1-Chevrolet
24-Camaro V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
576669-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
