1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko Clone

To Ford fans, Carroll Shelby is the high-priest of performance.  Chevy loyalists revere a Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, car dealer named Don Yenko.  Yenko had a deserved reputation for driving, building, and selling dominating Chevrolets, starting in '65 with well-crafted super Corvairs.  He advanced to installing 427ci Corvette V-8s in '67 and '68 Camaros, performing 118 of the transplants.  These $4,200 ponies ran in the low 13's right off his shop floor.

Not quite as rare, and not nearly as valuable as the original, but this one has some superpower under the hood…a consigner stated 500+ horsepower 496ci V8 with lots of goodies much like the original.  You can even drive this one every day as it can sit in traffic and god forbid if something happens just get it fixed.  All wrapped up and looking amazingly just like the original, but updated with 4 wheel power disc brakes, Vintage Air heat and AC, a beefed up chassis, and updated gauges.  Mrs. Yenko says "Everyday would be Mother's Day with a new to you Chevrolet Camaro from Yenko Chevrolet", and this writer is inclined to agree!

Exterior
With this unassuming original Camaro look, you may pass it right by, however upon closer inspection, that Hugger Orange in beautiful condition, miles deep and buffed to near perfection with a few touch ups and areas of orange peel, sports some correct white Yenko stickers in the form of a Yenko Diamond on the front of the hood, and dual racing stripes going to the windshield, ending in a cowl induction hood over top of a 4-barrel Holley carburetor directly underneath.  Also, a white side spear sticker, starting at the front quarter, and racing rearward widens at the rear quarter with more Yenko badging, ending upward framing a rear spoiler.  Noted are some areas that were skipping during the color sand and buffing process on the rear quarter panels, but one must look hard to notice them.  A beautiful Hugger Orange steel top is on and has nice chromed trimmings surrounding the glass.  Chrome bumpers are excellent, dual pipes peek out from under the rear, and on all 4 corners are 15-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels shod in staggered width raised white letter radials.  A note to the grille which is egg crate style.  Very few liberties were taken on the exterior making this clone like a perfect carbon copy of the original.

Interior
Swinging open the well balanced door and we are met with an orange vinyl covered molded door panel with a swoopy armrest and bright chrome strip following suit.  The bottom of the panel is dressed in clean black carpet and gives nice contrast.  Smooth orange vinyl bolsters with orange and black houndstooth cloth inserts covers the recovered front buckets and rear bench, this interior is fab!  Up front there is a new black dash pad, updated AutoMeter instruments within a faux carbon fiber bezel, and fronting this masterpiece is a thick wood rimmed steering wheel perched atop a polished tilt column.  Also, an aftermarket AM/FM radio and chrome slides for the Vintage Air AC & Heat controls are noted.  A sea of calm black carpet douses the floors and is in nice condition holding the chrome armed and white ball topped shifter on the hump.  Peering upward reveals a tight black headliner with a working dome light.  Rounding out our tour is the well restored trunk with its speckle painted finish.

Drivetrain
A consignor stated 496ci V8 making 500+hp resides within the cleanly restored engine bay.  A polished aluminum serpentine belt drive system is on the front and we note a heavy duty aluminum radiator.  Hanging on to each side are ribbed and polished valve covers and on top an Edelbrock aluminum intake fed by a 4-barrel Holley 750cfm carburetor.  The transmission is a Muncie M22 rock crusher 4-speed manual circa 1970 and on the rear is a Ford 9" locker axle.  Exhaust is evacuated via a pair of Hooker headers and Pypes mufflers.

Undercarriage
Stunningly clean and beautiful underneath for this rotisserie restored car with jet black frame and floor pans, rust free suspension, and like new dual exhaust.  Independent coil springs suspension for the front, and leaf springs for the rear.  The chassis has been strengthened with the addition of subframe connectors and power disc brakes are on all 4 corners to bring this heavy hitting pony car to a halt.

Drive-Ability
This car is a handful for sure and compounding that is my tendency to get a little goosey with my boot.  The car accelerated at a breakneck pace, stopped nicely, and handling was very good for a muscle car with power steering.  All functions were operating as they should on my test drive, although I did experience a few hiccups from the engine until it was fully warmed up.

We want another one just like the other one, and we have both an original and now a clone.  It's very difficult to tell each one from the other, until you look under the hood!  This one with more power, some modern conveniences, and the benefit of 4 wheel disc brakes.  A very well-done clone of a Yenko Camaro that you don't have to be afraid to drive.

124379N599281

1-Chevrolet
24-Camaro V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
599281-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 69 12437-1969 Camaro 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY NOR116800-Norwood Body #
TR 723-Midnight Green Standard Vinyl Buckets
PNT 59 S-Frost Green, Green Vinyl Top
09D-4th Week September
X11-Style Trim Group

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.