69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Where are all the 69 Nova Big Blocks located across the States, and who owns them? I am curious.

Re: 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

I I know for sure still in Freeport Ill and was bought from Lou Bachrot Chevy in Freeport. Stored and only gets driven now and then when the owner isnt in Hawaii.

Re: 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

sorry, I meant Yenko Nova's. I think there are only 6 left.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

I know kevin hand has a yenko nova and gary but where are the rest of them.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Hey Keith! Did you forget about ours?! I think dad mentioned the other day he knew of 9(?). That number may not be exact, but it is close...I will ask him in the morning.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

These are the ones that I have seen or read about:
1.Garnet Red-Kevin Suydam
2.Garnet Red-Gary Holub
3.Fathom Green-ex Randy Miller car
4.Fathom Green-Cliff Ernest
5.Rallye Green-Kevin Hand
6.Rallye Grenn-Reggie Jackson
7.?
8.?
9.?

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

#3 car (x miller car) is tucked away in Canada, about 2 hours from my house.
Peter

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

I know of 8 '69 Yenko Novas. The ones you have listed are correct, the one in Canada belongs to a guy named Danny. There are two Lemans Blue cars found, the Clary's have one, the other one is in the Pittsburgh area, is a non-converted car, and belongs to a guy named Rob.

I do not know of a 9th car, I know Ed has a Daytona Yellow one listed on his site, but I don't know anything about it. We have done a lot of title searches for them, and know of several that were stolen, one that was recovered stripped, one that probably became a racecar, the stories go on... [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

FYI...Reggie recently sold his Nova and his '67.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Dick;
Do you know where it went?

I didn't know he sold the Yenko Nova! Did you ever get Vince to tell you where that Rallye Green Nova was sold out of? Was it Colonial in Norfolk?
Thx,

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Reggie's Nova (and Butternut 1967 Camaro) now reside in Missouri. As per number 9, the jury is still out on that one, but the facts seem to be pointing in the direction of being real. Always thought to be a 396 Yenko Nova, some new information has surfaced which indicates it may have been a 427 car. Whatever the case, it is a very unusual and neat car.

As per our Nova, we have begun work on it and hope to have it completed by the 2003 reunion. It is your standard Yenko Nova, SS 396 converted to 427, 4 speed w/bench seat, rubber mat, 4:10, Lemans Blue. Even though in need of a total restoration, thankfully the car retained all of its original sheet metal and trim, so it was not hard to tell how the car was equipped. When completed, it will be much the way it was when new in 1969. Documentation includes notes of interest from former owners, Vince and most important, verification from the NICB as being a Yenko/Canonsburg car. Ship date was early January. It was sold new by Van Chevrolet in Mission,KS and was in the KC area its whole life. For years the rumor mill was that it was the first Nova converted, but ?

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Pete,
I thought one of the members, Kevin Hand was the custodian of Randy Miller's Former Rallye Green Nova?

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Pete's right...it's a FATHOM green car that resides with a Canuck. I think Miller owned both at one time.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

From a discussion we had, I'm guessing Yenkobigblocks Keith himself is the proud new owner of Reggie's Nova and 67. Congrats if it was you Keith!

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

randy miller had a fathom green one that went to canada, i own his former rallye green car. the last time this came up ther were 9 i had accounted for.
7) tom clary blue
8) yenko bart blue
9) rob richardsons lemans blue currently running a small block, i'm told

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Hi Kevin;
I understand that YenkoBart has a '69 Yenko Nova, but I have'nt been able to confirm which one it is, the options, trim tag data, etc....

So, Bart, how about some details??

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

i have been informed that there is some mis info on the one in which you are inquiring, and if there is one at all? not meant to be out of line, one would only be proud of such a car!

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Kevin;
Pls clarify your post.
Are you referring to the car you listed as number 8 in your prior post? Bart's '69 Yenko Nova - Lemans blue?

I don't know if this exists or not.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

where does brian henderson's nova fit in. just curious
Ron

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Ron; You have asked a very interesting question. Up and through the reunion, the concensus was that the car was a very expensive (over $4800.00) Yenko sold, special paint, 396/375 Nova. But, a couple of weeks later, I was visiting with a former employee of Yenko about my Nova, when the subject of Brian's car came up. This person did not know that it had sold or that I knew the car. Much to my surprise. I was told that it was a 427 car. Following this conversation, I contacted Brian to see what, if any additional information he could add. Brian was more surprised then I was. With this new found information, we preceeded to try and document this. A return call was made. Brian's car was delivered as a 396/375 horse car, with special paint and numerous other options, trim, buckets, m-21 and 4:10. Sometime in late 1970, one of Don's employees (and race team mechanic) built and installed an aluminum headed, L-88 427 in the car. The only thing left to figure out is this. The car's list price was $4800.00, very high for a 1969 Nova. With the original paperwork is a credit for $500.25., about the price as was charged for a 396 to 427 engine swap. We are wondering if the car was ordered with the special paint, trim, buckets and a 427. Then for some reason, (money, wanting the car right then, ? ) when the car arrived at Yenko, the owner did not have the conversion done.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Ron; Now to your question. Because of where it was sold(Yenko) and who built/installed the 427(Yenko mechanic), the sYc classifies Brian's car as a 427 Yenko Nova. Not in the same sense as some of the others, which were 427 cars from the get go, but still a supercar. FYI, the list of known 1969 Yenko Novas includes at least one, and maybe two other 396 cars. One was bought with the original 396 intact, but sporting a 3 deuce carb set up. My source for much of this, and other valuable information, told me that many of the Novas in 1969 were "very unusual" in the way Yenko built them. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Are you saying there are documents showing the building & installation of the 427 AT Yenko, or, just the recollection of an ex mechanic who installed a 427 over a year later at his house? It's a beautiful car, and, it's true, documented heritage deserves to be known.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Mike, even as we speak, research is being done to unravel "the rest of the story". There is still much to learn. But, even though there is not concrete evidence (paperwork) at this time on the 427 swap, I fell very confident in the story. The mechanic who did the work is not just your every day Yenko employee. At one time or another, he was involved in almost all aspects of Yenko Hi-perforance. In fact, he still has quite a bit of information relating to other Yenko Novas, as well as other cars, including most 1967 Yenkos. At this point, the car has been documented in the same manner as several of the Nickey cars, listening to some one who was there. I think you can relate to that. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Maybe the official announcement should have waited until "the rest of the story " was known. He must have at least stated where & when the coversion to a 427 was made. My point on that was that there is a big difference if it was converted at Yenko vs. being done elsewhere. I have no problem with cars documented by a mechanic who actually worked on the cars, and, can remember a specific car's history. As we've heard so many times on this site, "let's see the documentation" before an official statement is made. I don't have a dog in this fight, and, would love to see more Yenko Novas uncovered, however, I think we have to hold the cars owned by all members to the same high standard of verification before they are given official sYc verification. In my opinion, a written affidavit with the specifics on a car is the least you can expect, and, then maybe we can agree on granting it an asterisk designation.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

I cannot at this time believe this situation is taking place.We just had our car litterally disqualified on this site because Nancy wasn't considered capable of voicing her opinion.I've talked to Warren D. on Brians car and he specificlly told me it was a 396 car not a 427.Is he changing that stance.If he is what changed his mind.He had the documentation.Tom to verify this car by hearsay is unconsionable.I am befudled.you feel comforatable.I feel comforatable at this point in time to say we have what we thought we had.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Mike; A written affidavit is in the works. As per the mechanic, he was employed by Yenko at the time. His duties included running Don's race team. As per an asterick, I guess that means that any converted car that does not have original documentation verifing the engine swap should carry an asterick. That means that most early Yenkos and your beloved Nickey cars will be assigned an *. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Tim; As per Brian's car, Warren told me it was a 427 car. I had no reason to doubt it, as I was not at Yenko in 1969-70. If he decides to go another direction and say it was always a 396 car, then I will not question it. I will list it as such. As per your car, the same thing happened. I had known about the car for a couple of years and had heard no one say it was a DH car. When you quoted Nancy as saying it was, I simply did some more research, including a call to her. She told me on the phone that she did not know whose car it was. Now, the same as I said about Warren, if Nancy, or one of a select few experts whose opinions I value, say they believe it to be a DH car, it will be noted as such by the sYc.

In closing, you, Mike or anyone for that matter, are welcome to your opinions. I AM NOT AN EXPERT! Nor have I ever said that the sYc was the absolute authority when it comes to supercars. I simply have been lucky enough to have come in contact with a lot of very interesting people who were a part of supercar history. These folks are my heros, and I feel blessed that they will take the time to share lives with me, past and present. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

No problem with an asterisk as far as I'm concerned. I still would like to know WHERE it was converted. You keep dancing around that simple question. "Employed by Yenko"? Who cares??
Let me say that Brian's car is a really neat piece no matter what. Let the notorized facts speak for themselves. My objection is to the sYc declaring this car to be a 427 Yenko Nova based on hearsay. Putting the stamp on a car based on what you have disclosed is inappropriate,and, premature. Of course that's just MY opinion. I know you are offended when the subject turns to the monetary aspects of our hobby, but, consider the affect your official edict would have on this one car. From 50 to 250 with the stroke of a key?

I am all for anyone who is fortunate to experience a windfall discovery. I hope it is what you have declared. But since you declared it based on what facts were available, it deserves to be questioned, no matter who you are. If the solid proof usually expected on this site is forthcoming that creates a consensus that this car is truly "a 427 Yenko Nova", not just a Nova sold at Yenko that later had a 427 installed somewhere at sometime, I will apologize until I'm blue in the face.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Tom if it is Warren who is documenting Brians car.I'm saying wrong.I spoke to Warren and can tell you the documentation he has.I have a phone record of the day the phone call was made.I can even tell you the color Brians car was originally.All from Warren.He spoke of the car and its history in detail.As I stated before I asked the question as to the 427 conversion and his answer was no.He can state if he does that he doesn't know me but he does.I have sent a few people to purchase their original paperwork including Mr. Cliff Ernst.I am not in any way destroying the reputation of Warren but in this case somebodys wrong.The people on this board know my reputation and I am in no means perfect but in this situation I am adamit.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Mike; First of all, I am flattered, but find it hard to believe that my opinion can influence the price of a supercar 5 fold. To me, that is set by the buying public. Sort of like the Douglass cars. Second of all, I do not know where the car was converted. I do know for a fact that the car was sold new at Yenko and have no reason to believe that Warren did not install a 427 in the car, at a later date. Once again, where? I do not know, maybe at his shop, maybe at one of Yenko's shops? Now, to me listing the car as a 427 Yenko Nova. I will tell you, and the rest of the board, what I told Brian, which is how I view the car. If you, or anyone else disagrees, that is fine, I respect your opinion. To me, it is a 427 Yenko Nova, but with a notation, (maybe *) stating that the car was sold new as a L-78, special order paint car. Later is recieved a L-88 427, installed by a Yenko mechanic. No more, no less. As I posted earlier, there is a Nova listed on "the list" that no one has challenged (yet) that came with the original 396, but with 3 deuces. I consider it a supercar as well, with a notation like Brian's. ONCE AGAIN, JUST MY OPINION. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Tim, I have just recieved word from from a friend of yours, who just spoke with Warren. He did indeed install a 427 in the car, at later date. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Tom you spoke to Warren and Warren told you the transplant was not performed by the Yenko dealership.It was performed by him a couple years later.This vehicle is nothing else but a 396/375 hp. nova.You by your post have led alot of people and others who would read the the post to believe the car was converted at yenko by a yenko employee and charged to the customer by yenko.I'm not here to trash you or Brians car.But you being the administrator and Brian having the reputation he has,people will tend to accept your word.Warren has spoken on this subject and I stand by my previous conversation with him.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

As much as I hate to bring it up, this debate could involve a lot of supercars. How many Motion, Nickey or even early Yenko cars were not converted when sold new, but at a later date? Stop and think about that. This was common place back then. I say this, not to defend my position, but to point out that there are a lot of GRAY areas out there when it comes to converted supercars. The good thing is, unless I am buying, the buying public, not me, will determine their value. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

BOY!!! What a fool I am. If my opinion is as valuable as everyone has said, I should be charging for it. Like Joel and Vince. And here all this time I have been on the spending side of things, not receiving. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Tom, I can assume that I am the one you said confirmed with Warren that he installed a 427 in the car. The main crux of the distinction between what we on this site would call an official "427 Yenko Nova" and the car we're discussing is that the 427 was installed "sometime" [late 1970] later, and, NOT at Yenko. That is all I think most want to know, and, that is what Warren said.

When you speak as sYc, people listen, and, take what you say as the official Yenko Sportscar Club position. That carries a lot of weight, and, if it goes against what the commonly accepted position of the membership has been, I feel it appropriate to challange the statement.

Just for the record, if the statement that the syc would list this car as a 427 Yenko Nova had not been printed, I wouldn't have said a word. Semantics yes, but, we've spent countless hours trying to come to agreement on the accuracy of a single word or asterisk. I've said my peace. No hard feelings. [?]

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

So if Warren installs a 427 in my car, would it be a Yenko, (with an asterisk)? [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

No hard feelings. [?] None here. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Brian's Nova is a very cool, exquisitely executed car. There was a bit of confusion as to what it actually was ,at the reunion. 1)A 427 Yenko Conversion sold new as such, 2)A non (never got) converted L78 Yenko Super Car ,3) An L78 Nova which had a transplant performed sometime after it was sold new.

BTW cool stinger hood. Did Warren install that as well?

I believe the questions posed on this thread are important as to how any car is veiwed by sYc and its membership.(exclusive of monetary judgements).

The non 427, but three deuce conversion Nova sounds like a no questions Super Car to me (bar the value judgement compared to a full 427 conversion).

Its a Yenko Chevy dealership Converted car, to some degree and sold it to the public as such.

Now for a Hypothetical scenario: If a "friend" were to have a Fully documented Nickey Chevrolet Ordered and sold 19701/2 Z28, which had an aftermarket intake, rejetted carb, magneto ignition, 4.56 ring and pinion, electric fuel pump and regulator, lakewood slapper Bars added prior to delivery to the customer, would this be considered a Super Car.

Furthermore: If one of the original Nickey Mechanics were to install an L88 Big Block in it sometime later, would this now be considered a Big Block Nickey Conversion.

In which guise could it be shown at the Reunion as a true Super Car whether small block, big block or even represented as such at all?

I am in no way trying to instigate, just trying to clarify. Thanks to all for the Forum to do so.

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

Unreal, If documentation shows it as being sold new by Yenko Chevrolet, then by all means it is a Yenko, as is ANY car sold there. Even I can not change that. Tom

Re: yenko 69 Nova Big Blocks
 

What engine is actually in the car now?