This restored Yenko Camaro SS had just 1,340 miles
photo by MECUM AUCTIONS/DAVID NEWHARDT
A 1968 Yenko Super
Camaro with a 450-hp 427 cid L-72 V8 and just 1,340 miles on the clock sold at Mecum Auctions' Indianapolis sale, bringing $320,000.
This was stated to be one of the legendary Camaros modified by Don Yenko, one
of just 64 cars that received this powerplant in 1968. A four-owner car since
being delivered new on June 5, 1968, this was among the batch of the first 20
cars, and was originally sold through Branine Chevrolet in Mulvane, Kan.
The car's first owner, Miles Pleasant, sold it to drag racer
and Memphis Rodders club member A.J. Lancaster, who is said to have prepared
the car for competition in the NHRA's new Pro Stock class. Mecum Auctions
displayed a period photo of the car showing deceptive "396 Cu. In."
lettering on the front fenders, which was attributed to the car's success in
NHRA racing. Lancaster is said to have removed the Yenko engine, replacing it
with a specially built 427 cid engine, in addition to removing the original interior
details.
The original Yenko engine has been reinstalled in the car during the 1991 restoration
photo by MECUM AUCTIONS/DAVID NEWHARDT
In 1991 the car passed into the collection of noted
Chevrolet collector Dr. Vance Shappley, the consigning owner in this auction,
who was able to restore the the car, reinstalling the Yenko engine and all the
interior components that were taking out for its racing career, and repainting
the car in original Sequoia green. Prior to the auction the car was said to be
in its original specification as it left Yenko's shop, optioned with a Muncie
four-speed manual transmission, a black Z23 interior, 3.73 Positraction rear
end, a dash mounted Stewart-Warner tachometer, Redline tires, and an AM radio. –
photo by MECUM AUCTIONS/DAVID NEWHARDT
Mecum described this car as being "among the most
significant Yenkos today" given its racing pedigreee, though a number of
classic Camaro fans felt that it was a car with one too many stories, and a
racing pedigree accumulated on an entirely different engine. Also some
questions were raised about the car's representation as having been built without the
COPO 9737 designation, even though it was optioned with a 140 mph speedometer
-- experts disagreed as to when the car actually acquired the COPO-specific
items. The fact that the car later in its life displayed "396 Cu.
In." lettering which should have been removed by Don Yenko during the
conversion didn't seem to faze most bidders though, with the Camaro hammering
for $320,000.
An impressive result for a car with a few stories, and a bit
below the $375,000 to $450,000 estimate, though the final bid amount suggests
confidence in its provenance. We have a feeling that Dr. Shappley's involvement
in the restoration and the care he took in returning it to its original Branine
Chevrolet specification and appearance played a big part in the success of this
particular sale. And racing history is always a plus when it comes to muscle
cars, especially Yenko cars.
source: http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/low-mile-don-yenko-super-camaro-few-stories-brings-320000
by Jay Ramey
YOU ARE NOT JUST BUYING PARTS – YOU ARE GETTING OUR CAMARO EXPERTISE
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