Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

I'm a member & contributor of many different web forums and this is the only site that I frequent where a yearly contribution of at least $25.00 is "suggested" & "appreciated". Well, I pay this yearly fee to be a member of the Yenko Sportcar Club and I always assumed that money went towards the research, preservation and sharing of knowledge such as the Yenko VIN # list. Now they are gone and I've heard lots of nasty rumors why. Apparently I wasn't smart enought to print them up on hardcopy because I always thought they'd be available to members. I, and many other members, always had hopes of finding an old '67-68 Camaro race car and discovering Yenko "Gold". Now the list is gone and it seems obvious that with the amount of '67 Yenko's that have surfaced recently that someone, somewhere, has gotten resourceful and smart enough to run VIN checks through every state and find ALL the missing cars. Just like what was probably done with the 1969 ZL-1 Camaro list back in the '80's. The VIN's were listed on here for such a long time that pulling them now is the equivalent of closing the fence gate after every horse has escaped. It's just a little late now. My question is if the Yenko VIN's are still available to members that might pay a higher yearly due than just the $25.00 amount. I live in St. Louis, which had an abnormally high rate of Yenkos and Dick Harrell cars and I don't want to have to send countless PM requests for individual VIN checks over and over. Like I said earlier, there's lots of nasty rumors circulating, friendships being strained, and somebody needs to clear the air on what's really going on. Thanks.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

E-mail sent.

Jake

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat...true#Post445810

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif
~ Pete

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Another website has some Yenko lists posted that you can still view. They don't exactly match the ones that were here, but better than nothing and they are free to access.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

....I sent you a PM https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Mark,
Yes, there is a lot going on 'behind the scenes' that is compromising what true 'hobbyists' subscribe to.

For a sample of the 'real deal', here is a link to a documented '67 Yenko, converted by Dick Harrell, which recently received a complete rotisserie restoration. I know the car well and had a hand in the purchase and restoration. It has some 'fun' conversion pieces on it and is as nice as any out there.

'67 Yenko

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Thank you to all the true hobbyist's that took the time to send me lists of the Yenko VIN's. From one true enthusiast to another, it is very much appreciated. You know......it makes me wonder how Don Yenko would have handled these situations if he were alive today and if he would have kept the VIN list to himself or if he would have released them to the public. I think back to when the late, legendary Vince Piggins himself contacted Doug Marion of Super Chevy Magazine in the very early Eighties with the 1969 ZL-1 Camaro VIN# list and had them publish the VIN#'s to all sixty-nine cars for enthusiasts worldwide to track down and preserve these cars. Pete McCarthy is well known, respected and famous in the Pontiac world for the immense amount of time and work in sifting through hundreds of thousands of Shipping Manifests on Microfiche (remember that?) and publishing the VIN#'s of virtually EVERY 1962 & 1963 Super Duty 421 and 389 Pontiacs. To anybody that is a true Pontiac fan......his two books are absolutely essential. Most recently Darrell Davis stepped up and published the VIN#'s of all the 1962-64 Max Wedge cars and 1964-65 Race Hemis with information recently obtained through Chrysler Corp. I, and many others, didn't even know that information even existed but it's great to know that it was shared in the interest of finding "lost" cars. Now correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to me and many others that these Yenko Camaros have become so valuble that now the VIN# list is only available to select few. I can't help but think that Don Yenko would have been proud of his creations and shared them with the world. I'm done with this now.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Six years ago, myself, Marlin Spotts and Brian Henderson decided to combine all of our Yenko VIN information and post on Yenko.net for all to see, and I might add, share. Much of the info never seen before, for sure 50+ ’67 Yenko Camaro numbers. We could have kept the numbers private for ‘a select few” but we did not. Instead, not only did we put the numbers up for any and everyone to access for free, when contacted to verify info, we did this as well.

We have never turned anyone down wanting to verify a number, nor charged a fee.


Now this crap, basically saying we are not “true hobbyists”. And folks wonder why we get a little edgy at times, and why we decided to take a break from the "numbers game".

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

What are you talking about Johnson? I stand by Tom's statement, as well as my own reputation in this hobby - find me one person who would say that I held back instead of help out!

These lists have been out there for 6 years - get that, 6 years!!! You are way off base by making assumptions as to why they were taken down.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Mark, I love how you talk about the history of the cars from St. Louis area. You had two pictures of the two 67 Yenko's you stated they were sold thru Barford Chevy. When I explained that neither one was sold by Barford because I knew both cars. You blasted me for being on your a$$. Most the stuff you have put up here didn't make sense. If I lived in that area I would be talking to the people in that area. Have you taked to Kirkendaule or Rich Thomas or Gene Rains son?? I have!!! and THAT'S how you learn about them!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a member & contributor of many different web forums and this is the only site that I frequent where a yearly contribution of at least $25.00 is "suggested" & "appreciated". Well, I pay this yearly fee to be a member of the Yenko Sportcar Club and I always assumed that money went towards the research, preservation and sharing of knowledge such as the Yenko VIN # list. Now they are gone and I've heard lots of nasty rumors why.

[/ QUOTE ]
Mark: of those web forums that you frequent, how many of them directly fund/organize an annual indoor show w/ a track rental the exact same weekend? A simple look "up" to the top of the Supercar/Musclecar Discussion forum will find a stickied thread that's been there since 02/09/04 that outlines the very reason the sYc asked for some help. Or maybe I could've just said "you pay this yearly fee just to have access to a dirt cheap track rental"...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

As for those "nasty rumors", well, that's YOUR fault for listening/believing them, not ours, so take it up with whoever is stirring that pot...

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Well, as a true enthusiast, naturally I was disappointed in seeing the Yenko VIN's disappear. That shouldn't be too hard to understand. I'm not the only one either as many people that have E-mailed me the lists were upset by it too but are afraid of speaking up. As for you....Spotts, I don't care if the list was up for 6 years, 12 years, whatever. It's gone now! Hidden from future hobbyists. Explain that. As disgruntled as I was about the situation, I didn't throw any names out there or point any fingers directly at ANYBODY. I'm just not gonna go there......but it would've been nice to hear a decent explanation. Now I'm not a bad guy and I've honestly tried to contribute a lot to this site. It's still one of my favortite sites and I have many friends here. This being said, I do NOT wish to be banned. I have spoken for many now and have NOTHING more to say on this subject and would really appreciate having this thread LOCKED before somebody says or DOES something that makes everybody sorry.
'finis'

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Personlly, I can see valid reasons for both keeping the numbers up AND for not disclosing on a public forum. In a day when I can go to a guy in Lubbock and have ANY vin plate (not just a trim tag mind you) made for any 67-69 Camaro, it is too easy for some guy to put together a "brand new" yenko that just happened to magically surface.

Wasn't there a scum bag in Canada that registered FIVE of the ZL1's that were unaccounted for all in one week?

If I stumble on a car that might be a Yenko, I can pm any one of the guys in the know, and feel confident I would get an answer pronto.

I guess what I am saying is that it is a judgment call. It is hard for me to argue that the judgment made to protect the hobby was the correct one.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mark, I love how you talk about the history of the cars from St. Louis area. You had two pictures of the two 67 Yenko's you stated they were sold thru Barford Chevy. When I explained that neither one was sold by Barford because I knew both cars. You blasted me for being on your a$$. Most the stuff you have put up here didn't make sense. If I lived in that area I would be talking to the people in that area. Have you taked to Kirkendaule or Rich Thomas or Gene Rains son?? I have!!! and THAT'S how you learn about them!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Kim... Rich Thomas died last year and as far as I know Lonny is still around.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

This is the very reason why in the other thread I did not go into detail as to why the numbers were removed, as I knew whatever explanation was given, someone would question our motives.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Agreed.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Mark, my point is you guys need to be talking to these people before their all gone. The pictures Mark J has, you need to show them to everybody !!! When was the last time you talked to Rich Thomas?? That is what should have been done. Again you have take the time to look to find these cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is the very reason why in the other thread I did not go into detail as to why the numbers were removed, as I knew whatever explanation was given, someone would question our motives.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is my point exactly - to Mark or anyone else who feels upset that the numbers were taken down. The original intention was obviously to keep them there, which is why they were out there for 6 years. Things change sometimes, and the decision was made to take them down.

Personally, I'm thrilled at the moment. When you spend years (many!) working on the numbers end only to publish them and then get flack from people over what they perceive as 'errors', duplicates, ommissions, etc..... Trust me, it got old - fast. Most folks have no idea what it took to put those lists together. There was no Chrysler organization, no magic filing cabinet, no high ranking person at GM with good motives - none of that! These lists were the result of several people scouring, buying, collecting, trading, etc. to get this info into one comprehensive file. To get criticized for it over the years has burnt my tailpipe!

Ok, I'm off my rant now.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Chill M! Ain't good for the blood pressure. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mark, my point is you guys need to be talking to these people before their all gone. The pictures Mark J has, you need to show them to everybody !!! When was the last time you talked to Rich Thomas?? That is what should have been done. Again you have take the time to look to find these cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I talked to Rich just shortly before he had his fatal stroke/heart attack and he said he wasn't interested in the past and old race cars, he was more interested about going fast today. Rich was a racer to the end and its a shame he is gone.

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

I'm chillin - just keepin on doing what I'm always doing....

Maybe Jr Dragsters will be more fun......

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm chillin - just keepin on doing what I'm always doing....

Maybe Jr Dragsters will be more fun......

[/ QUOTE ]


yep !!!!!!!!

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Can any one supply me with the yenko vin numbers? I have no bad intensions. Just want to have them as I had a new 68 yenko, long gone. And last year bought a nother one to restore. the numbers would be very helpfull on the latest car. thank You Bob krueger. [email protected]

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

I just got this months issue of Musclecar Review which shows a purple 67 and a white 67. Are these the numbers you all are discussing here? Thank you.

JT

Re: Where Are The Yenko VIN's?
 

Can someone be so kind as to email the VIN list to me. I had printed it a few years ago and 'loaned' it to my brother and I recently requested it to be returned and he told me he threw it out as he knew they are all posted here...???

Thanks so much to SYC and it's members!!!!
max

my email is [email protected]