Gold Yenko at Mecum sets record

[Steve Shauger]

Originally Posted by bergy

Please help me keep the notes correct in the registry. What makes this car a prototype?

I think that term was made up perhaps by a magazine/journalist. GM identified very early production as pilot cars. This is not an early car so unsure how it applies. It is a very special car that I've been in awe of from SSDI article July of 69! Link to article I posted: https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=173260

[lycan]

Originally Posted by bergy

Please help me keep the notes correct in the registry. What makes this car a prototype?

Based on Doug's research in this thread:
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184313
It's not a prototype, and it's not a pilot.


Please remember that Mecum accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of their descriptions!

[Born30YrsLate]

Originally Posted by TarheelRyan

On another note, I will be reuniting the Rallye Green Yenko with its original engine. Huge thanks to Jeff Boone for selling me the engine back in 2024. Condition wise, the RG car was the roughest of the bunch, but it will look better than ever shortly.

NICE....i bet that will put a smile on the car's face to have its original heart back.

[JoeC]

I don't know where the "prototype" name came from but when Cliff bought the car in 1987 , there was not a lot of information about the Yenko cars.

There were a few articles in MCR and Super Chevy from about 1982.

I remember some people thought that Cliff's car was the first 1969 to get the Yenko stripes and emblems because the fender emblems were installed like a 1968 Yenko Camaro.
(1968 Yenko Camaro had 427 emblems on the fenders , 1969 Yenko Camaro had the 427 emblems on the hood)

The theory didn't make sense when it was shown how many cars were before Cliff's gold car.

Don called the car the "Yenko 427 Drag Special" in an ad and called it a "demonstrator" in the Yenko press release.

[turbojet427]

Of the first 50 cars ordered, despite vin or body #s, is there anyway to tell which ones they plucked out of what order to be "converted"?

[camarojoe]

Originally Posted by turbojet427

Of the first 50 cars ordered, despite vin or body #s, is there anyway to tell which ones they plucked out of what order to be "converted"?

Not that I'm aware of... and I totally believe this was the first 69 converted, regardless of earlier factory VINs and/or body numbers. The completely unique emblem placement and layout on this car is unlike any other 69 sYc Camaro, and is well documented as being originally built this way. No way did they build a dozen cars ahead of this one using the "standard" emblems,layouts and placements, do this particular car completely different... then go right back to doing the rest the same way they had been. Now I'll be the first to say there were variations in stripe/emblem placements from one car to the next... but there have been no others found that were done like this one.

When the first batch of cars came in, they didn't look at the VIN's or body numbers to start converting them "in order", they just grabbed one out of the line of cars that were delivered and started on it. I personally believe this was the first 69 Camaro they ever installed stripes and emblems on.

[bergy]

Remember that “conversion” didn’t involve a 396 to 427 swap like in 67 and 68. Just bolt on stuff and decals.

[camarojoe]

Originally Posted by bergy

Remember that “conversion” didn’t involve a 396 to 427 swap like in 67 and 68. Just bolt on stuff and decals.

Yep, and I believe this car got the "bolt on stuff and decals" before any of the rest.

[Stefano]

I agree with your premise.

[scuncio]

I’m late to the party on this one, but wow, incredible to see a Yenko Camaro pull that number! Congrats to the buyer (and seller). You only live once.