Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

This is getting interesting. Thanks for your posts Jim M. It is great to hear from someone like you who was involved with these processes. I was especially keen to hear about your personal contact with Don Yenko and the part about Don Yenko, Ed Cole, and Pete Estes agreeing together for production of the 427 Camaro in 1968. It sounds as if this took place in the middle of the 68 Production year. I always wondered how Yenko could afford to do the 427 transplant conversions and warantee them on his own.

I have heard of this MV 396 block also, and is evidence for 68's having been transplants. But, we also see here as Jim states; that later in 1968 Chevrolet committed to 68 427 Camaro production under COPO 9737. I believe at least one 427 Camaro was built, such as my 68 Yenko with Chevy tag: "special order drag car".

I am repeating again from GM documents under COPO 9737/Yenko/, April 68 is the first appearance of the RPO V78 "Less Certificate of Compliance/Export/". This is what would cover Chevrolet (Cole and Estes) from the Emissions regulations and thus put the matter on Yenko's shoulders to resolve. Now that Yenko was successful in getting Chevrolet to commit to build 427 Camaros, his next challenge was to keep Federal Emissions guys from contacting him, if he were selling non-compliance cars. Technically at this point a factory production 68 427 Camaro could only be sold as a race car or exported. This most likely resulted in Yenko's request for the Chevrolet Engineering Test Order for the L72 Camaro smog test (with the code name "Excaliber) which as dated May 20, 1968, with 6-21-68 as completion date. I believe this Smog Test request is the fall-out after a 427 Camaro with V78 non-compliance was built and Yenko realizing he had to deal with Federal Emissions as well.

I have a last side note here. Just for the heck of it, as I didn't think the answer would be yes; two days ago I asked Vince the question: were any 68 Yenkos exported? He said no they weren't, and actually most of them went to one state. He told me the state, and was a complete surprise to me; what state that was.

Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

Hey guys ......

as a Chevrolet neophite, but avid *all-musclecar fan*, this discourse is very interesting. The history and background on the Chevy Supercars is one of the most interesting to me.

I've followed this specific thread for quite a while now. I tip-my-hat to the gentlemanly way that you discuss some differences in opinion on *MV* coded blocks, and their intentions / origins. This solidifies in my mind what a class-act you guys are !!

And they say the Buick boyz go Fast with Class ........

Casey Marks
1970 Olds F85 W-31
13.xx @ 10x.xx <---(I gotta keep Rob on his toes....) https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

Casey:

Good to have you aboard! So, what are you doing with all of your free time now that the Buick board is down?! https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif

You correct with your "gentlemanly way" statement. We have to look at pretty much everything concerning these cars with an open mind, because you sometimes never know! And we all know some odd things happened along the way with these cars!

Now, about those ETs...so, you are STILL not going to divulge any info, huh? Well, if you keep posting those 13.XX ets, that may give Pete or Marlin something to shoot for, and you just may get your wish about running a small block Nova... https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif

Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

There may have been at least two of the COPO 427 cars built by Chevy. On that form that was shown in the Chevy Action article there is a field on the top line that appears to be a quanty number and has a "2". I can't read it that well so a better copy will need to be checked. Jim M. may remember if that was the field for quanty on that form. Our engineering forms at work always have the order quanty on the top line like that. Does anyone know where the "one and only" raffle car 68 Yenko Camaro is now?

[Edited by JoeC (05-04-2001 at 12:29 PM).]

Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

Brian;
That is a good point you make about blocks getting 'hit' once the word was out regarding them being 'MV' codes. We both know how people will try to make something appear more 'original' just for the money.

I also believe Kevin's car is the exception to the transplant rule for '68, and agree that it is unusual for GM to let a 'test mule' go to the public. I think that they did this because they had a Purchase Order from Yenko for this test, and I don't think either side wanted to crush the car when the test was finished. The paperwork that Kevin has with this car certainly points to a process change within a few short months in '68, and outlines some of the hurdles that GM was jumping over to get this car out of their hair. (Fuel pump, smog, export tag, ect...)

I think that after Yenko received this car, he did what Chrysler did with their 1st Hemi Cuda, put it way out in the middle of nowhere - certainly not in a big city with media and lawyers. Kevin can divulge the originating dealership for his car if he wants to, but I think it was a wise move by Yenko not to publicize this particular car, just move it out!
M



[Edited by YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY (05-07-2001 at 02:31 PM).]

Re: '68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO
 

This topic has been, and probably always will be, a source of long debate with contrary opinions, views, recollections, and quotes. Rarely do we conclude a discussion topic, but as this particular post slips down on the list I think it is wise to do so.

The purpose of bringing this topic to the BB was simply to present, and receive feedback, that there is sufficient evidence supporting a 'gray' area between the quotes from (with all due respect to the individuals) Vince and Don Yenko that the '68 Yenko Camaros were transplants, vs. Jim M. that most or all of them were COPO 427's under #9737. The paperwork that Kevin has supplied shows that at least one test vehicle with an unknown VIN # was produced by GM, and that it apparently went to Yenko Chevrolet. It is probably wise to stop with that one conservative conclusion, and consider the purpose achieved.

I think is it commendable to all who contributed to this lengthy post for keeping an open mind, because as we all know we can't say 'never' or 'always' with GM!

Marlin