Frame Up Built Camaro Yenko 427 V8 425 HP 4 Speed

Don Yenko's story is legendary, and prices on real Yenko vehicles bear out his wonderful legacy of high performance and factory-built horsepower. The Yenko Camaro is perhaps his most famous creation, setting the stage for the production line built COPO 427 Camaros, and perhaps the most vicious street-going F-body ever created. With prices spiraling ever higher on pedigreed examples, the smart hobbyist who likes driving his hardware buys a tribute car like this Garnet Red 1969 example, which might be the most accurate and painstakingly researched Yenko tribute ever built. With the same fire-breathing 427 under the hood, the dazzling Yenko graphics package, and exceptional attention to detail, it's the ultimate drivable dream.

Code 52 Garnet Red is this car's original color, and it's one of the handful of hues that were offered on the originals, lending this car some additional authenticity. The restoration album that comes with the car shows an extensive disassembly down to a bare body, and the spectacular finish was built from there. Every panel was straightened, sanded, and then sanded some more until it was straight enough to calibrate scientific instruments. It appears that the sheetmetal on this car, including the floors, is completely original, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a straighter '69 Camaro than this one. There's a ton of time wrapped up in putting it all back together properly, too, with excellent gaps all around and doors that open and close with no more than your fingertips. And although the COPOs were subtle, Don Yenko knew he was selling performance, and that meant getting the word out on the street, so the complete Yenko graphics package was duplicated on this car. There are, of course, the bright white body stripes with Yenko S/C (for 'Super Car') callouts on the quarter panels, but there are also a myriad of badges advertising the thumping 427 under the hood, as well as a lovely Yenko badge affixed under the stock Camaro script on the front fenders. The look is not subtle, but neither is a 427 cubic inch Camaro!

Yes, that's a real deal 1969 vintage L72 427 under the hood, rebuilt to factory specs. In fact, the list of correct, original parts is incredible, making this one car that truly is the sum of its parts:

L72 1969 427/425 hp engine correct for original Yenko Camaro
11.0:1 compression with forged aluminum pistons and closed chambered heads
Cast # for block is 3963512 dated K-11-8 (November 11, 1968 perfect for 1969 production year)
7115 steel cross-drilled, trufrided crank shaft only used in special high performance L72 and L78 blocks
M22 4-speed Muncie transmission. This is the rare Rock Crusher used in High Performance cars
Cast #3925660 date code P9S26C with original VIN # stamped on casing 19L524199
Original 3899621 bell-housing correct for all factory big block 4-speed cars
Factory aluminum intake manifold cast # is 3933163 correct for L72 engines
Rectangle port heads cat #3919840 with 2.19 intake valves and 1.720 exhaust valves
Deep groove pulleys
Correct dated “837” alternator dated 8K1
4-core heavy duty curved-neck radiator
Special high performance distributor 1111499 dated 9B12 (Feb 12th 1969)
750CFM Holley Carb
Delco Remy BF 293 Coil – Original GM
GM water pump dated 12-2-1968 Cast #3931065
Correct dated spark plug wires
Correct big block manifolds casting #3909879 LH and 3916178 RH

You'll also note that it's detailed for show, with a lot of cool little things that make the engine bay sparkle. The Chevy Orange paint on the block is especially vivid, and it's topped with a correct intake and carburetor, whose casting and date codes have been documented in the restoration album. Proper decals and labels have been affixed in all the right locations, including the Yenko stickers on the chrome valve covers and a tag on the reproduction Delco battery. There is no power steering, of course, but power brakes are a welcome addition, and the booster is beautifully restored. Twist the key and prepare to take control of one of the most legendary machines of all time!

It's also properly equipped with a Muncie M22 4-speed manual transmission spinning a correct 12-bolt rear end (casting #3894860) with 4.11 gears on a Positraction. Look closely and you'll find that aside from a set of Flowmaster mufflers, the chassis is just as correct and detailed as the rest of the car. The floors (100% original, by the way) are correct satin black, the lines, clips, and hoses are accurate reproduction pieces, and the suspension has been fully rebuilt. Proper inspection marks are duplicated on the appropriate components such as the lower ball joints and rear axle housing, and decals on the F41 springs and brake backing plates are correct reproductions. We've had quite a few Yenko Camaro tributes come through our shop, but few have been executed to this level of detail—most guys just want the look and the 427, but to go the extra mile and detail it correctly is a worthy achievement. The perfect finishing touch are the period Torque Thrust wheels wearing reproduction Goodyear Wide Tread GT bias-ply tires.

The gorgeous Ivory Houndstooth interior is also correct for this particular Camaro, showing up as code 729 on the cowl tag. Technically, you could get any interior you wanted in your Camaro, Yenko, COPO or otherwise, and there aren't many combinations better looking than this, especially against the Garnet Red bodywork. Like the rest of the car, the upholstery has been expertly restored, and is an excellent lesson in the artistry that was GM's interior design in the 1960s. It's all new in there, including the door panels, black carpets, and headliner, and the black and white combination will never go out of style. 'sYc' emblems on the headrests are done just the way Yenko did them back in the day, as simple decals, and this car is also fitted with an NOS Stewart Warner Greenline tach mounted on the column and correct NOS Stewart Warner 2-5/8 oil/water/amp gauges under the dash. There's no console, as most Yenko buyers preferred light weight over style, and the lovely rosewood steering wheel is the perfect '60s touch. In the trunk, there's a complete space-saver spare assembly with inflator bottle, a correct jack, and a reproduction mat, and absolutely zero signs of rust or repairs.

The documentation that accompanies this car is impressive as well, including a beautiful display stand that details the restoration and specifications, the complete restoration album I mentioned earlier, more than $24,000 in receipts just for parts, and an original Owner's Manual.

There's simply nothing like keying up that legendary 427. The sound, the feeling of the idle, and the relentless surge of torque as you power through the gears. With minimal modifications, these were legitimate 12-second cars, and even today's world of 600 horsepower Corvettes, performance is impressive. Few tribute cars are as well-executed as this one, with an overwhelming list of correct details. The fact that this car has also received a concours-quality restoration is simply icing on the cake. If you're looking for a highly correct big block Camaro that's not too valuable to drive now and then, this is your chance.