Need some Yenko/Chevy info

[442w30]

To you guys, the experts, what is the current production figure for the 1969 Camaro? Is it still 201 or is it higher.

On a related note, is 1000 about as good an estimate of all L72 Camaros made in 1969?

Thanks,

Diego

[shor]

thousands and thousands

[copo69]

Hello Diego, good to have you here. 199 or 201 on the Yenkos depending on who you talk to. I don't know of any COPO numbers that are accurate but I think the 1000 number is pretty good including the Yenkos. Greg Simmons

[Yenko Bart]

According to the sheet that I have the 201 is the right number for yenkos.

[Chevy454]

Diego:

198 is the number as of late, as 3 were destroyed early in their lives (I want to say in transport to Yenko and test drive(s), but BKH probably knows), which I guess would make 201.

What's up with the 409 and Yenko interest lately...you win the lottery or something?

[Edited by Chevy454 (03-31-2002 at 07:11 PM).]

[442w30]

Hey guys, both familiar and unfamiliar!

My friend is writing a musclecar book. I volunteered to do a production figure matrix, since I like numbers. It'll be cool because it's more of a list of cars than anything else. I have a lot of obscure numbers, but there are some that don't jibe, such as the 3733 SS454 cars made in 1970 as the Standard Book of Collectible Cars (we know it's over 8000).

It's getting down to the nitty gritty and the publisher is almost ready to publish, so I am trying to make last-gasp attempts to tie some loose ends. Enthusiasts such as yourselves are often better sources than books, and usually I know enough to recognize whether a number is old news or the real deal.

Anyway, for now I will put 201 . . . say, the Z16 was 201 as well. Heard from a friend with a L79 that the 1 ragtop was just a false rumor. True?

Thanks again,

Diego

[JoeC]

Vince E. has the original records from Yenko and was used as a consultant in many Yenko articles during the 80s. His first count of the Yenko Camaros produced was 201. He later changed this total to 198 after recounting the cars. For some reason the number 201 is used in many articles instead of the corrected number of 198. This information was given to me by Vince E. in a phone conversation years ago.
There is some evidence from Chevy indicating that the total number of 1969 COPO 427 cars may be less then 750 including the ZL1s, the 427 Camaros and Chevelles, and the 1969 Yenkos.
The Z16 Chevelle was built on a convertible chassis but I do not know of any convertible Z16 Chevelles.

[Stefano]

JoeC,
Wasn't the change in the 1969 Yenko Camaro count from 201 to 198 due to duplication?

The number of tolal L-72 COPO Camaros has been been debated often. It was one of the first questions I asked as a new member. While I have ,and still maintain my opinions, it has been interesting to see the opinions of others.

I would tend to agree with 'JoeC's 750 number including ZL1 and Chevelle COPOs.

It took the running head start efforts of
Don Yenko and his Super Car network, which ultimately consisted ,of more than thirty Chevy Dealers, to sell 198 COPOs.

Remember,that he knew how to place the COPO orders and had established a Nation wide distribution network.

Volume high-performance dealers with inside info., such as, Berger only sold approx. 40 COPOs. This was considered a very good job back in 1969, for a vehicle with no marketing support.

The next highest selling volume ,in the know ,COPO dealer was Jack Douglass Chevrolet, with approx. 25 units.

Several Ohio and Michigan dealers moved a few units.

A few other scattered dealerships discovered the order methods for these COPOs, but none ordered and sold them in any substantial volume.

I would say that, in my opinion, the production of 1969 L-72 Camaros, to include Yenkos did not exceed 600 units and was more than likely closer to only 500 units.(Regardless of engine plant production numbers).

[COPO PETE]

I would agree with Stefano and Joe. In Canada there seems to be around 52 COPO Camaros sold in total. Keep in mind, we find a few every year or so, but I feel most have been found. It helps a lot here when GM of Canada still has there records!
Peter

[Edited by COPO PETE (04-01-2002 at 05:26 AM).]

[Mr70]

There is a guy on the Team Chevelle site named Tom Lassiter from Michigan.He claims to have ridden in the only Z-16 Convertible in High school.His friend owned it,but at the time was not as big a deal as it is today.He has lost track of his friend and that car.Dead Ends all around.
He seems to be legit and I believe him to be geniune.
Mark Meekins and the NCOA have enough literature and eyewitneses to believe there was only one Z16 Convert. made,but soon was destroyed.