Re: 1969 Yenko Nova
Yenko Sportcar Conversions didn't order any cars from Chevrolet. Yenko Chevrolet bought the cars and then transferred them over to SYC for conversion.
The car had a file with SYC meaning it had work done. Being on the list meant that Yenko took responsibility of the warranty on the car, not GM.
From what I've heard about the 37 Novas on the list, only one has a 427 notation next to it, so you can't just say since it doesn't say 427 that it's a 396. Then you'd be claiming that the other 36 weren't converted.
So why would Yenko take responsibility of this car's warranty when it is a plain jane '69 L78 Nova?
If the car wasn't converted, they would have simply moved the car back over to the regular dealer lot and the car wouldn't have been put on the SYC list.
The cars were put on the SYC list when they were delivered to the customer or transferred to the purchasing dealer showing the selling price, vin, color, trans, and extra notations.
The only reason I can think of is that they did convert it to a 427 or 454 (depending on the delivery date), and then sell it less stripes and badges so their employee can get it insured and race it in the 396 class without anyone at the track knowing it was touched. Make the paperwork out saying it's a 396 for his insurance company and financing.
Why would an employee of his buy a 396 L78 Nova to race when they had 427 Camaros and 427 Novas which were a lot faster?
Yenko was in business to sell cars and make money, he wasn't doing this hoping one day these cars would be that valuable.
As I've heard from many a dealer:
"What's it gonna take to sell you this car today?"
My father built and raced the funny cars for Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago (1964-1975). It was common for them to make "special cars" for a customers and make them look stock for street and drag racing.
My father was also a good friend of Dick Harrell and was on the starting line in his own funny car when Dick blew the front tire, hit a post and was killed in Toronto.
Again, just my opinions
William Dyer
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