Yenko Chevrolet
575 West Pike St.
Canonsburg, PA 
What can you say? Don Yenko, the son of the founder of Yenko Chevrolet, was the man behind the '69 COPOs, and was probably the best known and largest supplier of muscle cars back in the 60's and 70's. Don started using GM in 1965 to get special Corvairs, then moved on to transplanting 427s into Camaros in '67 and '68.  In '69, Yenko used the COPO pipeline to get factory 427s in Camaros and Chevelles, then transplanted a few 427s into some Novas.  In '70, he again used his COPO ties to get an LT-1 equipped Nova.  From there, he began hot rodding Vegas and then produced a few hi-performance Camaros in '81.
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1966-7 Yenko "Stinger" Corvairs 1967 Yenko Camaros 1968 Yenko Camaros
1969 Yenko Camaros 1969 Yenko Chevelles 1969 Yenko Novas
1970 Yenko "Deuce" Novas 1971-3 Yenko "Stinger II" Vegas 1981 Yenko "Turbo Z" Camaros

NOTE: This page is "a work in progress", and will be updated as we acquire more information, and learn more about Yenko Chevrolet and the cars that they built.

1966-1967 Yenko "Stinger" Corvair

1966
Number produced:
4-speeds: 100 Autos: 0 Total: 100
RPO #s ordered:
3900CC Ermine white exterior paint
3F41AA Heavy duty suspension
3M20BB Four speed transmission The M-21 close-ratio transmission was ordered for all of the '66 Stingers.
3N44AA Special steering 
3758DA Black interior trim
COPO #s orderded:

9513A

 3:89 positraction differential The 3.89 positraction differential was not available for any other Corvair in 1966, but it could be purchased over the counter at Chevrolet.

9861E

 Independent brake unit  Dual Master Cylinder Unit.  It is believed that this application was taken from a 1966 Cadillac.

In '66, the Stingers were sold in various stages (I, II, III, or IV), from street cars to all out SCCA race cars, but all of the first 100 cars came painted white.  Also, all of the '66 Corvairs came from GM as "Corsas".  Don ordered 100 COPO Corvairs, and tagged them YS-001 through YS-100
1967
Number produced:
4-speeds: 25 Autos: 0 Total: 25
COPO #s ordered:

9513A

 3:89 positraction differential The 3.89 positraction differential was not available for any other Corvair in 1967, but it could be purchased over the counter at Chevrolet.

9551B

 140 horsepower engine The 140 HP engine option was discontinued for 1967, but it was still available as a COPO option.
In '67, Chevrolet dropped the Corsa model from the Corvair line, so Yenko was forced to order Monzas instead.  These cars were ordered either Marina Blue of Bolero Red, as the SCCA had dropped the rule that all American made SCCA cars be white.  The '67 COPO "Stingers" were tagged YS-107 through YS-120, while the non-COPO '67s were tagged YS-102 through YS-106 and YS-121-YS-9700 
Stingers tagged after February 1967:
Number produced:

4-speeds: 60

Autos: 0

 Total: 60
This is a  '66 Yenko Stinger Corvair racing in the SCCA.  This was Don's first real dealings with using the COPO pipeline to get the ideal car for that type of racing. Here is one of the first 100 Stinger Corvairs built.  This car was set aside and painted "Silver Pearl" and was used as Yenko's family driver.  The Stingers proved to be another one of Don's good ideas.

1967 Yenko Camaro

Number produced:
4-speeds: Autos: Total: 107  (est.)
In the first year of the Camaro, Yenko figured out quickly that a potent 427 was needed, as in this Black '67 Yenko Camaro.

1968 Yenko Camaro

Number produced:

4-speeds: 65

 Autos: 0 Total: 65 (est.)
RPO #s ordered:

L-78

 396/375hp "L-78" engine This was the highest rated 396 available in the Camaro.  Some historians feel that all of the '68 Yenko COPO Camaros came with the L-78 installed at Chevrolet, while some believe there were a few L-72s installed by Chevrolet.
COPO #s ordered:

9737

 Sports Car Conversion This added heavy duty suspension components, a 140 mph speedomoter, and a larger carb.

COPO engine code:  

 MV = 4-speed

COPO rear end code:  

 QD = special HD, 4.10 posi

Transmission code:  

 P0xxxB = M-21
Here is the '68 Yenko Camaro give-away car.  Notice the unique for '68 hood hiding the 427.  Here is an even better look at the hood on a blue '68 Yenko Camaro.  Unsure which color to choose?  Well, would you rather be subtle, like this Island Teal car, or announce your presence with this red car?!

1969 Yenko Camaro

Number Produced:

4-speeds: 170

Autos: 28

 Total: 198
RPO #s ordered:
C08 Roof cover, vinyl Optional
D55 Console Optional
D80 Spoilers, air: front and rear All '69 Yenko Camaros were ordered w/spoilers.

G80

 Axle, rear, posi, 4.10 A 12 bolt housing with a special ring/pinion replaced the standard units under COPO 9737. 

J50

 Brakes, power This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.
J52 Brakes, power disc front This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.

L78

 396/375hp "L-78" engine This was the highest rated 396 available in the Camaro, and was replaced with the L-72 when COPO 9561 was ordered.
N40 Steering, power Optional
U17 Instrumentation, special Optional
U63 AM radio Optional
VE3 Bumper, special front Optional
X11 or X44 or X66 Fisher Body Code Early cars were either X11 or X66, while cars built after March are X44.
Z21 Exterior style trim group Optional
Z23 Special interior group Optional
COPO #s ordered:

9561

427/425hp "L-72" engine 

 This deleted RPO L78 and added RPO L72, along with RPO ZL-2 (cowl hood), RPO V48 (heavy duty 4-core radiator), and RPO F41 (high performance suspension w/special  springs/shocks). 

COPO engine code:  

 MN = 4-speed, MO = automatic

9737

 Sports Car Conversion This added 15 x 7 Rally wheels, a 140 mph speedomoter, and a 13/16" front stabilizer shaft.

COPO rear end code:  

 BE = special HD, 4.10 posi
Transmission code:   P9xxxB = M-21 or 69Xxxx = 400TH
6 Colors Ordered: Stripe color:
Daytona Yellow (code 76) Daytona Yellow w/white stripe Daytona Yellow w/black stripe
Fathom Green (code 57) Fathom Green w/white stripe Fathom Green w/black stripe
Hugger Orange (code 72) Hugger Orange w/white stripe Hugger Orange w/black stripe
Le Mans Blue (code 71) Le Mans Blue w/white stripe Le Mans Blue w/black stripe
Olympic Gold (code 65) Olympic Gold w/white stripe Olympic Gold w/black stripe
Rally Green (code 79) Rally Green w/white stripe Rally Green w/black stripe
Identifying marks:
Most of the '69 Yenko Camaros were fitted with stripes and emblems, although there were some cars ordered stripe and/or emblem delete.  Yenko also offered aftermarket gauges, headers, shifters, and Atlas wheels as extra cost options.  
In '69, they utilized the COPO pipeline to get the factory to install 427s into the Camaro.  Here is a '69 Yenko Camaro, 1 of 5 Daytona yellow automatics.  Or, for those who would rather blend into the darkness, a Fathom Green '69 Yenko Camaro.  Fathom Green, such as on this '69 Yenko Camaro, proved to be a very popular color on the Camaros.  Another one of the 6 colors offered on the Camaro was LeMans blue.

1969 Yenko Chevelle

Number Produced:

4-speeds:

Autos:

 Total: 99
RPO #s ordered:

C08

 Vinyl roof Optional

G80

 Axle, rear, posi, 4.10 12 bolt housing, and a special ring/pinion replaced the standard units under COPO 9737. 

J50

 Brakes, power This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.
J52 Brakes, power disc front This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.

L78

 396/375hp "L-78" engine This was the highest rated 396 available in the Chevelle, and was replaced with the L-72 when COPO 9561 was ordered.

M-21 or M-40

 Close ratio 4-speed or automatic transmission Either a Muncie 4-speed or a 400 Turbo-Hydramatic auto was required for all COPO cars. 

N40

 Power steering Optional

U63

 AM radio Optional

V48

 Radiator, heavy duty This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.
COPO #s ordered:
9562 427/425hp "L-72" engine This deleted RPO L78 and added RPO L72, along with RPO V48 (heavy duty 4-core radiator). 

COPO engine code:  

 MQ = 4-speed, MP = automatic
9737 Sports Car Conversion This added 15 x 7 Rally wheels.

COPO rear end code:  

 KQ = special HD, 4.10 posi

Transmission code:   

 P9xxxB = M-21 or 69Xxxx = 400TH
Identifying marks: Yenko Chevelles could have came with any/all/none of the following options: Yenko hood stripes, Yenko side stripes, head rest decals, "Torque Thrust" style wheels, aftermarket tach, aftermarket guages, Yenko emblem(s), 427 emblem(s),  [NOTE: to see how the Yenko Chevelles were equipped when they arrived at Yenko Chevrolet from the Chevrolet assembly plant, check out the COPO page.]
8 Colors Ordered:

Stripe Color:
Butternut Yellow (code 40 ) Butternut Yellow w/white stripe Butternut Yellow w/black stripe
Dover White (code 50 ) Dover White w/white stripe Dover White w/black stripe
Daytona Yellow (code 76) Daytona Yellow w/white stripe Daytona Yellow w/black stripe
Fathom Green (code57 ) Fathom Green w/white stripe Fathom Green w/black stripe
Garnet Red (code 52) Garnet Red w/white stripe Garnet Red w/black stripe
Hugger Orange (code 72) Hugger Orange w/white stripe Hugger Orange w/black stripe
Le Mans Blue (code 71 ) Le Mans Blue w/white stripe Le Mans Blue w/black stripe
Olympic Gold (code 65 ) Olympic Gold w/white stripe Olympic Gold w/black stripe
For those of you who want room to move around, how about this '69 Fathom Green Yenko Chevelle.  How about this Olympic Gold, automatic, Chevelle.  If you want something more discreet, try this Butternut Yellow Yenko Chevelle with rally wheels.  An exact opposite would be this write-me-a-ticket-red Chevelle.  Why can't they build family cars like this anymore?

1969 Yenko Nova

Number produced:
4-speeds:  Autos: Total: 37
RPO #s ordered:

C08

 Vinyl roof Optional

G80

 Axle, rear, posi, 4.10 It is believed Yenko ordered the 4.10 ratio for the Novas.

Rear end code:  

 BV = special HD, 4.10 posi

J50

 Brakes, power This option was required on the L78.
J52 Brakes, power disc front This option was required on the L78.

L78

 396/375hp "L-78" engine This was the highest rated 396 available in the Nova, and it is believed the '69 Yenko Novas started out as SS396 cars.

Engine code:  

 JH = 4-speed, JL = automatic

 Transmission code:  

 P9xxxB = M-21 or 69Xxxx = 400TH

N40

 Power steering Optional

U63

 AM radio Optional
Outstanding features:
Not for the faint at heart was the '69 Yenko Nova.  Packing the ground thumping 427, it was literally a handful, or, as some articles have suggested, "Untouchable" (in price and quickness).  If it wasn't for the Yenko stripes, you might overlook this Yenko Camaro as your grandmother's car...until you drove it, of course!

1970 Yenko "Deuce" Nova
Number produced:

4 speeds: 122

Autos: 53

Total: 175 
RPO #s ordered:
731 Standard interior, black This was the standard black vinyl, bench seat
G80 Axle, rear, posi, 4.10 12 bolt housing, and a special ring/pinion replaced the standard units under COPO 9737. 
JL2 Brakes, power, w/disc front This option was required by Chevrolet on all COPO cars ordered.
L65 350/250hp engine This was the base 350ci engine in the Nova, and was replaced with the LT-1 when COPO 9010 was ordered.
M20 or M35 Wide ratio 4-speed or 350 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission The M20 was the base 4-speed transmission in the Nova, while the 350TH was the base 3-speed automatic transmission in the Nova.  Both of these transmissions were replaced by either the M-21 or 400TH whenever COPO 9737 was selected.
N10 Exhausts, dual Dual exhaust was standard on 250hp or base V-8 (307) engines.
U63 AM radio The AM radio was standard.
ZJ3 Special interior group This included the bright trim on pedals, mirror, dome light, ect.
COPO #s ordered:
9010 350/360hp "LT-1" engine This deleted RPO L65 and added the same engine as used in the Z/28 Camaro.

COPO engine code:  

 CTB = 4-speed, CTC = automatic
9737 Sports Car Conversion This deleted F40 and M-20, and added the F-41 suspension (which included the addition of a 13/16" front sway bar and added a rear sway bar, and was originally an SS only option), either the M-21 or 400 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, and a special heat-treated ring and pinion.

COPO rear end code:  

 CBW = special HD, 4.10 posi

Transmission code:   

 P0xxxB = M-21 or 70Wxxx = 400TH

First 125 cars (5 colors ordered):
Cortez Silver Cortez Silver w/white stripes Cortez Silver w/black stripes
Cranberry Red Cranberry Red w/white stripes Cranberry Red w/black stripes
Fathom Blue Fathom Blue w/white stripes Fathom Blue w/black stripes
Forest Green Forest Green w/white stripes Forest Green w/black stripes
Gobi Beige Gobi Beige w/white stripes Gobi Beige w/black stripes
The first 125 cars were ordered in 5 colors, with 25 cars of each color being ordered, but there was an uneven split of cars ordered with the 4-speed, automatic, and power steering options.  

Last 50 cars (5 colors ordered, including 3 new colors):

Citrus Green Citrus Green w/white stripes Citrus Green w/black stripes
Cranberry Red Cranberry Red w/white stripes Cranberry Red w/black stripes
Fathom Blue Fathom Blue w/white stripes Fathom Blue w/black stripes
Hugger Orange Hugger Orange w/white stripes Hugger Orange w/black stripes
Sunflower Yellow Sunflower Yellow w/white stripes Sunflower Yellow w/black stripes
Due to demand, 50 more cars were ordered, this time with 3 new colors replacing 3 old colors, and 10 cars of each color were ordered.  Once again, there was an uneven split between cars ordered with the 4-speed, automatic, and power steering options.  It is believed this second order of cars were most likely modified with Yenko specifics of stripes, wheels, Dixco hood tach, ect. by Hurst Performance in Detroit, MI.

Identifying marks:

Yenko Novas could have came with any/all/none of the following options: Yenko Deuce side stripes, Yenko Deuce hood stripes, Deuce interior decal, Yenko emblem(s), "Torque Thrust" style wheels, Dixco hood tach, after market guages,  [NOTE: to see how the Yenko "Deuce" Novas were equipped when they arrived at Yenko Chevrolet from the Chevrolet assembly plant, check out the COPO page.]

 

1971-3 Yenko "Stinger II" Vega

Number produced:
4-speeds: Autos: Total:
RPO #s ordered:
COPO #s ordered:
Colors ordered:
1981 Yenko "Turbo Z" Camaro 
Number produced:

4 speeds: 0

Autos: 19

 Total: 19
RPO #s ordered:

1FP87

 Z-28 sport coupe This included a special ducted hood, special shocks/springs, HD stabilizer bars, dual exhaust, power disc brakes (front), and body colored 15x7" wheels with white-lettered tires.  The base engine/trans for the Z-28 was the LG4 (305ci/165hp) and 4-speed wide range transmission.  All '81 Yenko Camaros started out as Z-28 cars.
LM1 Engine, V8; (350ci/175hp)   The 350ci V-8 was optional with the Z-28, but mandatory on all Yenko Turbo Zs.

Engine code:  

 D5B = automatic
MX1 Transmission, automatic; THM350c This was the mandatory transmission on the Z-28.

Rear end code:  

 PW = 3.08, posi

Transmission code:  

 Y1xxx = THM350c
Yenko options: Stage I T.I. Turbocharger, autmoatic transmission, Stage I wheels, Turbo Z graphics.  The Stage I package was standard equipment on all '81 Yenko Camaros, but all factory options (except sunroof) are available, as well as any of the Stage II options.. 
Stage II Same as Stage I, plus: fully adjustable Kamp leather seats, leather competition steering wheel, Turbo Z special floor mats, Koni shock absorbers, modified stabilizer bars, modular wheels, and Goodyear Wing-foot tires. Along with the Stage II package, all factory options (except sunroof) were available. 

Colors ordered:
Turbo Black Turbo Blue Turbo Brown Turbo Red Turbo Silver Turbo White
After the insurance companies and the oil crisis hit, Yenko's high performance department cooled off a little.  In 1981, Yenko decided he needed another kick--the '81 Yenko Turbo Z.  This car was the last car built as the dealership changed ownership.  This car has 32,000 miles and is believed to be #19.  The mostly original interior, and mostly original paint and graphics are still in tact.

 

Sources:
Marlin Spotts, Yenko Deuce Registry Charlie Doerge, Yenko Stinger Registry
Ed Cunneen, COPO Connection Brian Henderson, Supercar Workshop

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