Chevrolet Nova Yenko 427/425 L72 1969
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Car producer : |
Chevrolet |
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Model: |
Nova Yenko 427/425 L72 1969 |
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Year: |
1969 |
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Type: |
Coupe |
The Yenko Super Camaro was a modified Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Yenko Chevrolet, under the personal supervision of Don Yenko. The originals were all first-generation Camaros. When the Camaro debuted, a General Motors corporate edict prevented it from carrying an engine larger than 400 in³ (6.6 L) V8; this put the Camaro at a serious disadvantage to the Ford Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda and the Dodge Dart since neither Ford nor Plymouth/Dodge had such a limit. Don Yenko, however, knew there was a market for an ultra powerful Camaro and found ways around the GM limit.
Yenko ordered L-78 equipped SS Camaros and swapped in the Chevrolet Corvette's L-72 427 in³ (7.0 L) V8. The cars came with a 4.10 rear end and heavy-duty suspension. The exact number of cars produced is 104. Yenko also installed a fiberglass replacement hood similar to the "Stinger" hood featured on 1967 big-block Corvettes.
Don Yenko's Camaros were equipped with a 427ci L-72 in them with either an M21 or M22 transmission. The horsepower was rated at 450 hp (336 kW). Yenko Camaros were not allowed to race for Chevrolet on the drag strip because they were not made by Chevrolet. Chevy's answer to this was the COPO Camaro, or Central Office Production Order, in 1969. The COPO Camaros were equipped with the same 427ci engine and were allowed to race for Chevy.
Encouraged by the success of the 1967 model, Yenko continued to produce his Camaros. All cars came equipped with the M-21 close-ratio four speed manual transmission. A large, twin-scooped hood replaced the "Stinger" version, and Yenko badges graced the sides and tail light plate. The COPO model came with upgraded suspension, 140 mph (230 km/h) speedometer and other items but not the 427 ci engine. Yenko then swapped the factory 396 ci engine for the 427 ci engine up until in 1969 when the 427's were installed by Chevrolet.
For 1969, the dealership worked with Chevrolet to have the L-72 engines installed on the factory assembly line using a Central Office Production Order, or COPO. The orders included power disc brakes, a 4.10 Positraction rear end with heat treated axle shafts, (to avoid breakage), a Z-28 front anti-sway bar, and a heavy-duty 4-core radiator. Buyers of the car had the option of either the M-21 four speed or the Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. A total of 201 cars were sold in 1969, 171 with four speed transmissions and 30 with automatic transmissions. Yenko rounded out the visual package with front and rear spoilers, a cowl-induction hood, special "Yenko 427" badges, twin stripes down the flanks and hood, (not with all cars however), and the sYc (Yenko Super Car) badge, (again, not with all cars). According to the Camaro Research Group, standard black interior (code 711) was the only interior ordered by Yenko.
