Gold Yenko at Mecum sets record

[turbo69bird]

These times would have been awfully close to records for the stock classes these car would have run in at the time so idk what was going on but they certainly were interesting tests I believe the aluminum engine would be in b/s in 69 and the iron would be in C/S
?

Stock classes were typically balanced and blueprinted engine, headers roller rockers, cheater cams , slapped bars, 7 inch slicks et. 68 had a different weight break than 69 so some things changed this other attachment is just picked off the web but gives you an idea of rules for 68 I have the 69 rule book maybe later I'll post stock Lass rules from the book

[Stefano]

I built a 1969 COPO Camaro with a correct style L72. No special tricks, but I did have an L88 spec cam in it a good clutch and drag radials, 4.56 gears, .030 overbore and balanced.

Full exhaust @ full weight. It was approx 3,600 lbs. with me and a full tank of gas. In good Fall air / DA it ran a best of 11.80s @ 116 mph. The difficulty was in the launch with the 4 speed and the balance between hookng and spinning was a small window. I also learned that dropping the tire pressure below the mfg recomended specs helped me a bunch.

My point is that the Dream Team could get those numbers with an L72 as set up with no issues an L88 was not necessary.

[JoeC]

Ron Welsh in the Yenko 427 Drag Special at Keystone Raceway
photo posted by Jerry MacNeish

Ron would drive to the track at first , then had tow tabs on it.

Mark K. knew Ron from the drag strip and told me he remembers Ron would flat tow the Camaro to the track with a 1973 Grand Prix with one slick in the back seat of the Camaro and one in the back seat of the Grand Prix

[bergy]

Another “drag special” Yenko installed carb :-)

[luzl78]

Trading in a 67 l71 corvette coupe. VIN 1000666. Built on the 5th or 6th day of production. Gave him $3,700 on a 2 year old vette that was $5,300 new, or more depending on options.

[Stefano]

That is a great document, especially for the guy with the Corvette, if known or found!

[JoeC]

that invoice is for the Daytona Yellow Yenko with the aftermarket vinyl top
a lot different then a factory top

[Stefano]

That is a very Kool Yenko as well, which later had an L88 purportedly installed by Yenko. Formerly owned by our very own Chas Lillard. The aftermarket vinyl top is 67-68 style.

It’s a stand out amongst all of the Yenko Camaros for sure, but to me it’s not in the realm of the Gold car being discussed. Documented irrefutable history was made with the CE now RS Gold Yenko, that day in 1969.

This is the car which Don Yenko made his first pass ever down the drag strip in, as a passenger and then again that day as a driver. Remember he was a road racer, not a drag racer.

This is the car that “broke the internet” so to say when there was no internet . We only had news papers, periodicals, some very rare TV Coverage and lots of home videos.

Everyone who was into drag racing was talking about this car. It reminds me of the Chrysler Demon when it broke into the 8 sec ets. Only one single pass after over 100 try’s by a pro. That one single event and run established the Legendary status of that car.

The guys who were there that day were industry leaders , well respected and known individuals. No need for any BS. They were there to establish and document what that car could do.

It is interesting that with all of the Yenko Cars which Cliff had acquired and owned (approx 30) and that he was the first collector to establish a coveted 6 pack of Yenko Camaros (one in every color) that this was known to be his favorite.

The fact that the original owner raced this car and helped to establish and perpetuate the Legacy of all Yenko Super Camaros and that he is sill with us today to document this history is paramount!

You can call it a pilot car, a prototype, a promo car, a dealer demo or all of the above. To me it’s Kool and significant and the most significant 1969 Yenko which I am aware of. If the Ed Hedrick Daytona Yellow race car was found, I would think that would get my vote for the number two most significant 1969 Yenko Camaro.

[Steve Shauger]

Well stated Stefano👍

I Don was blown away when he took a pass down the track as a passenger. He was a road racer amd he was quite surprised.! I will find the article where he elaborated on the experience..

[lycan]

Originally Posted by Stefano

That is a very Kool Yenko as well, which later had an L88 purportedly installed by Yenko. Formerly owned by our very own Chas Lillard. The aftermarket vinyl top is 67-68 style.

It’s a stand out amongst all of the Yenko Camaros for sure, but to me it’s not in the realm of the Gold car being discussed. Documented irrefutable history was made with the CE now RS Gold Yenko, that day in 1969.

This is the car which Don Yenko made his first pass ever down the drag strip in, as a passenger and then again that day as a driver. Remember he was a road racer, not a drag racer.

This is the car that “broke the internet” so to say when there was no internet . We only had news papers, periodicals, some very rare TV Coverage and lots of home videos.

Everyone who was into drag racing was talking about this car ...

This ^^ is what qualifies the car as a "prototype" in my view. It may not have been the first '69 Yenko to get the emblems and decals (probably, not the first) ... so what, they're only emblems and decals!


It WAS the first '69 Yenko to display & emphasize the drag racing capabilities of the package (with relatively minor tweaks, perhaps, over COPO 9561 & 9737). So ... I still think it's fair to call it:
Yenko's PROTOTYPE DRAG CAR.