Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Looking for any and all information in relation to the ownership and whereabouts of this car. Last known address was at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs Colorado in 1975. Car mysteriously disappeared after my fathers death, I have last registration from Michigan for 75/76, photos, etc. Was not told it was a Yenko until 7.7.14, although I've been looking for the car since I have been 9. Any information, build sheets, etc would be greatly appreciated. You have no idea what a blessing finding this site has been, I was only 6 months old when my father was killed and I would of never been able to research it without it.
Thank you to all of you who post here and keep the records.
-Chris

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Welcome to the site. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

... There is a very good chance that you may be able to find where that car is now.

... Having the vin is a good start .

... Good Luck in your search [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

.... Oh, What do you mean by &quot; mysteriously disappeared&quot; ..... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

[/quote].... Oh, What do you mean by &quot; mysteriously disappeared&quot; ..... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] [/quote]

x2... Yenko's back then were worthless... Mine was cut up with a sawzall and torch when it was three years old to be made into a racer... I doubt someone would steal it solely for the collector value of it back then...

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

The car was supposed to be brought back here to Michigan and returned to my mother, but there was some heated debate with the family over who was driving it back...and then... seriously... it just disappeared. I took the VIN here in Michigan on Monday with the last registration, my fathers death certificate, and all the information I could find-- my mother never remarried so all the names are still correct. I wanted to apply for a lost title, but there is no record of it here in Michigan being registered in the past 10 years. I can only suspect that the car was left in Colorado or has been parted out. It's important to me to find even a shell of it...just for connections sake. My search will continue regardless....thank you for your post!

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

I understand the mindset, I restore motorcycles and I am amazed at what people will do to &quot;modify&quot; a machine. I am just hoping that this car may have escaped to someone who was a little less sawzall happy...

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

do you have any pics of it back in the day - anything helps us trying to find the car

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

There was a yellow Yenko Chevelle located in the Belleville area around 10 years ago. I don't have any details on the car but I believe the story was posted here on this site. Good luck.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Never mind, that car was 357655.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

According to my notes, this car was found and restored quite some time ago. It was originally sold at Gates Chev in Mishawauka, IN to a Wm Rigney in South Bend, IN. Car is a 4speed with an AM radio.

I'm not sure where it is now.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Cworkman2 (Christopher Workman in Michigan)
On July 7th of this year,someone posted this on the sYc facebook page.

<span style="font-style: italic">&quot;Looking for 69 yenko Chevelle vin#136379b358034 belonged in my family in early 70s /want to know did it survive/and where is it today?
[email protected] or Jerry Strong Sebring Florida 863 443 7039&quot;</span>

How is this man related to you?

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

I Googled the VIN and saw that Facebook posting last night too but figured the OP here was the same person/family? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
Cool if it's a found and known existing car as Marlin noted also hope all works out Ok for everyone!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scuncio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There was a yellow Yenko Chevelle located in the Belleville area around 10 years ago. I don't have any details on the car but I believe the story was posted here on this site.
Never mind, that car was 357655. </div></div>
I wonder if that car was owned by the brother of a guy in the Ford Ypsi plant toolroom.
I clearly recall him telling me about his brother bringing the car (yellow 69 Yenko Chevelle) up from down south and he showed me a pic - I can't remember if it was of his brother's car or one like it.
Do you have a link to that other thread?

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeteLeathersac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I Googled the VIN and saw that Facebook posting last night too but figured the OP here was the same person/family? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
Cool if it's a found and known existing car as Marlin noted also hope all works out Ok for everyone!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete </div></div>

Sounds like a brewing family feud. Two not-to-friendly relatives knew about the car over the years but didn't care about it. Then on 7/7/14 someone told them it was a Yenko. Now they're both trying to beat each other to the car in the hopes of big financial gains.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

.... Did this Yellow 1969 Yenko Chevelle .... have a &quot;Black vinyl top&quot; ? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

What happened to the popcorn eating smiley?? I need it now.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mssl72</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What happened to the popcorn eating smiley?? I need it now. </div></div>


Hahaha, that's funny [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Jerry Strong was a friend of my fathers and actually is the one who told be about the car being a Yenko. He actually was the person who pointed me to this group to inquire. Sorry about the lapse in communication, my job requires me to be out of cell service for days at a time due to the fact that I work remotely. I am currently in the process of scanning photos and other documents to post.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Actually I've been looking for this car since I've been 9...I'm 39 now. A little back story to clear things up. I am an only child and my father, Carl, the owner of the car, died when I was 6 months old. Due to my mothers health issues she and I were residing with my grandparents in Michigan while my father was stationed at Fort Carson. After his death there was some issue with getting the car back to Michigan, I have the correspondence between the Army and my mother which mentions the car but it is never listed with his effects. There are conflicting arguments on either side in the paperwork.
In my searching I thought it was just another chevelle produced at the time, it wasnt until Jerry Strong contacted me on Facebook and wished to tell me about stories about my father and the car did I find out it's unique origin. Which makes it easier to track. Thus, contacting this group to see if it is still out there. I dont have much in regards of knowing my father, and I could care less about financial gain, but I would like to know if the car is still out there, if it's in a collection and if the owner would be willing to talk to me. If the car has been destroyed, well I will have to accept that this search is over. My fathers mother and brother both passed before I got to know them..my mother was not one to associate with them after his death, so this is sort of a extremely personal journey. It's funny, but since finding out about this car and being contacted by his friends I have learned so much about him and his exploits. I was told that he changed the side emblems on the car to 350 ones so that it looked like a sleeper, but would blast any car down the strip at the time. Thats what I want to know about...I would just like to be able to touch a piece of his history outside of the stories.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Please excuse the watermark on the photos, using an old scanner and software.

These are pictures of my mother and fath...identification

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Here ya go.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse7f205b5.png
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps0338cd56.png
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse00d22b0.png

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Thank you for posting them. I am trying to find others also with better shots of the car.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Great pics. If it is out there someone will turn it up.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

I really appreciate the willingness of people to help and their input. I feel very blessed just to have responses back and the information that people have provided. Thank you
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Amazing pictures!!!!! Looks like a 350 engine size emblem in the one picture....BKH

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Nice pix.
As well as the 350 emblems,looks like he added a 1971-72 drivers side bullet mirror.
I can't see any sYc graphics on the headrests.
Wonder if he got it brand new with SS wheels or added those later.
Wish you luck in finding it.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Good luck in your search!

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Those photos are great [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

... Chris, I sent you a PM

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

How long does Indiana keep records? It would be nice to have the paper trail back to the the dealership if possible. Also, check on http://www.newspapers.com/ and search the classifieds in old Colorado papers.

Who was supposed to drive the vehicle back? Shouldn't that be where you need to start?

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Great pics, FWIW....I'm pulling for ya. I hope this story ends well.


BIG

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Thank you!!!! I just did their free trial, and boom...I got a hit ( I hope). Due to the rarity of these cars I'm going to cross my fingers that this would narrow it down. Believe it or not, I lived in Fr. Collins, Co from 2002-2004...a few streets over from where this place was listed at. a 69 Yenko Chevelle is listed at the bottom.

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse794af3a.jpg

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Thank you so much for the PM.

Let me clarify a few things so that people understand what I mean by &quot;mysteriously disappeared&quot;

At the time of my fathers death, my mother and I (6 month old) were residing with my mothers parents. My mother has health conditions that were aggravated because of my birth and she was recovering in Michigan. My father was stationed at Fort Carson, and that is where the car was at the time of his death. The car was still registered in Michigan until 1976, but my fathers death was in August of 1975. After my fathers passing there was alot of bad blood between the family, not because of the car, but because of other issues and finally my mother cut ties with the Workman side of the family entirely. In her correspondence with the Army she asked about his car because it was not listed among his belongings. The officer at the time stated the car was going to be picked up by a family friend named ROBERT ASH, to which my mother responded that she had never heard of or known a Robert Ash. I have the original letters she wrote and the letters the army sent in return. The last letter stated that the listing of &quot;personal effects&quot; was final and no other communication would be made. From there the trail goes cold as to where the car ended up because my mother did not pursue it any more. Mind you , she was 19 at the time, ill, had a newborn, and just lost her husband.
When I turned 24 I was informed that my Grandmother on the Workman side had passed, I had never known that side of the family and made a point to try and connect with them during this time. I questioned people about the car at that time (still not knowing it was a Yenko) and was told that &quot;we were told your mom had it&quot; to which I knew she did not. I informed them that I was told that &quot;they&quot; had it. No one came forward or admitted to knowing anything about the car...or this Robert Ash..so once again..I thought it had been a bad turn of luck and it was lost to antiquity.
The beginning of this July I was contacted by Jerry Strong via Facebook. He said that he was a friend of my fathers, he asked me if my mother had ever told me about his &quot;Yenko Chevelle&quot; and how he used to shut em down on the street with that car while he lived in Lake Orion, Michigan. I knew my father had a lead foot from my Aunts, but my mom was a little more reserved. ( I think it's because I'm a lead foot also, and I have my dads passion for cars and motorcycles). I never knew of it being a Yenko, just that it was yellow and fast. I had googled the vin in the past, but nothing ever came up except Chevelle. It wasnt until Jerry suggested that I compare the registration to the VIN list is when I realized it was no.2 on the list.
Whatever happened to the car I know it never made it back to Michigan, I went to the Secretary of State in Michigan last Monday and asked if I could do a title search. Because of the short VIN they were weary of running it, but after I showed them my information they did what they could and said it was not in a listing of Michigan cars. So thats why I am here, I just want to find it. To know its out there. I started looking at pictures of this car when I was 9. If someone has it I want them to know the story of the car. Somewhere in 1976 it got lost in the fray. I know many of you have questions, and I will answer all that I can, I just am happy that many of you have responded. I just everyone to know I'm not out here trying to make a buck or scam anyone out of a car. I just want to know if it's rolling on rubber or a heap in a scrap yard.
Thank you
Chris

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Do you know what year that classified ad is from?
That's roughly half it's new car price,so I'm assuming if that is your dads car,it's probably early to mid 1970's.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Have you tried a Private Investigator in Colorado? Some PI's can access DMV records for title searches or title histories. It may be worth a shot.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

The listing head says it's in 79, but I just took a real close look at the corner of the listing and it may be 1970, which would not fit the time frame, I have sent the webmaster an email for clarification. I dont want to jinx myself if it's an earlier year.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

I just pulled up the title search information for Colorado, filling out paperwork right now...hopefully it will help.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Does anyone have a build sheet in their notes when it comes to decoding the VIN? I need all the pertinent info for filling out the DMV stuff for Colorado, the more information I can get the better. I see in the VIN listing it had a 4 speed...and one member stated it had an AM radio. Any other info would really help.
Thank you

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Keep in mind the MI title search only goes back 10 years max, so it may very well have been here in the 1970s.

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

Here is a VIN decoder for 69 Chevelle. http://chevellestuff.net/1969/vin.htm

Your VIN is only going to tell you specifically that your car is a 2-door with a V8. Check out the link. It is very simple.

Good luck with your quest and keep us informed as to your progress.

Phil Woj

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr70</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you know what year that classified ad is from?
That's roughly half it's new car price,so I'm assuming if that is your dads car,it's probably early to mid 1970's.
</div></div>

They describe it as a close-out sale of &quot;late-model&quot; cars and the list is comprised of mostly '68-70 cars so I would bet it is 1971 at the latest...?

'53 Vette for $1000 - cool.

Chris, best of luck with this. I can just imagine how important this is to you. Have you tried finding Robert Ash?

Re: Fathers Lost Yenko Chevelle #358034 Butternut
 

At the very best Chris it still might be the same car regardless of the year of the ad. With 99 Yenko Chevelle's built I can't imagine there were much more than 1 or two in CO around that time. Especially considering that there is just over 2 hours distance between the dealership that sold it and where your dad was stationed.