69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Hi Guys, I have been able to find pictures of 4 different 69 Yenko Novas on this site. Do you guys have any more? I also noticed Brian Henderson's looks strikingly different than the other 3 I found. Did Yenko remove the "396" fender tag and put in his own 427 badge in the same holes? I think that is a 396 emblem on Brian's car. Any links or posts of detailed pictures of one of these cars would be greatly appreciated. Marc

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

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Did Yenko remove the "396" fender tag and put in his own 427 badge in the same holes?

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That's a darn good question Marc, and to tell you the truth I don't think anyone has a definitive answer to that. The '69 Yenko S/C 427 Novas are unique in the '69 Yenko lineup in that they were not COPO'd factory installed 427s like the Camaros and Chevelles, but were instead converted from RPO L-78 SS396 cars very similar to many of the Yenko 427 Camaros in '68. Being that they were SS396 cars to begin with, looking very much like this (with the possible exception of the brightwork around the windows and rockers) they all would have received the cast front fender marker light bezels with "396" engine identification from the factory.

While it isn't completely known for sure how Yenko then rebadged these cars as 427s, it seems there were at least 2 different practices used. The stock 396 bezels were sometimes removed, and replaced with smaller, plain bezels with no engine size, as used on 6 cylinder Novas in 68-9. Then Yenko's crew would add their own 427 emblems ahead of the bezels, doing their best to cover/utilize the extra hole where the original 396 marker bezel had been factory installed. This method required the installation of 2 new parts per side, a new plain marker light bezel and Yenko's own designed 427 badge.

The other method of correcting the "396" marker light bezel problem, was to simply remove and replace the "396" bezel with a cast GM "427" marker light bezel as used on big Chevrolets in '68. The latter made for a cleaner, neater, more factory like appearance, but may have been more expensive, so Yenko may have favored the use of his own 427 emblems more often. This is only speculation on my part.

Being that so few of the '69 427 Yenko Novas exist today, and most lived very hard lives and were subject to lots of abuse and modification over the years, there is little to go on in terms of unmolested surviving examples to give us the definitive answer we're looking for. Not to mention that each car was hand converted and things like emblem and stripe placement variations abound in Yenko's "process" for converting supercars.

To add to this mystery, I know of only one surviving period photograph of a '69 Yenko 427 Nova, and unfortunately it is a rear shot of the car on a carrier and the fender emblem placement cannot be determined.

I guess these "unknowns" only add to the mystique of these incredibly rare supercars. Maybe someday we'll luck out and an unmolested, "undiscovered" car will surface. Until then, I hope at least some of my explanation is helpful.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

A third possible option for 427 identification would be the one Dick Harrell used on his cars in 68... He ordered the early 68 production "tinfoil" inserts for the 427 bezels and glued them right over top of the cast 396 portion of the existing bezel. If these thin inserts were still available through GM in 1969, Yenko could have also did this to the Novas, requiring them to only add an insert to the existing emblem, and would not even require the removal of the bezel, and make the "conversion" that much quicker and easier. Just a thought.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Thanks for the insight guys. I'm really striking out in the photo department though. I have shots of Henderson's, Hand's, Holub's, Reggie's, and one from this site that doesn't list an owner. No detail shots at all. Time for some aspiring author to write a book. Marc

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

I believe Henderson's car was not a 427 conversion at Yenko. Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I thought that car was sold as a 396 car and the 427 engine was later swapped in. The original owner cancelled the conversion or couldn't afford it so took delivery of the car as an SS396. So using that car as a template might be incorrect.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Hand sold his car several months ago to DaveC, and Reggie sold his over a year ago to KeithH.

Erik explained it very well, both methods appear to have been used by Yenko. I'll post some as found pics tomorrow of 2 '69 Yenko Novas, but I can't remember if the one has a fender shot or not - but the rear tail panel is quite interesting!

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Here's one, maybe one of you guys can make out the front bezel setup.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

These are even harder to make out.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

#2

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Plenty of reading material in the archives!

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...art=1&vc=1

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Marlin, great old thread. What's the status of the brown car you posted. Looks like a street warrior for sure. It's amazing that 35 years after these cars were built how many mysteries surround them. Who remains left in the Yenko family who may have a scrapbook or personal recollection to clear up some of this? Forgive me if my questions sound basic but I am new to the site and don't really know where you guys have gone with this in the past or who I am posting these questions to. I have soaked up more Chevy knowledge in the past 6 months than I have in the past 38 years. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif Thanks Guys, Marc

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

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Marlin, great old thread. What's the status of the brown car you posted. Looks like a street warrior for sure. It's amazing that 35 years after these cars were built how many mysteries surround them. Who remains left in the Yenko family who may have a scrapbook or personal recollection to clear up some of this? Forgive me if my questions sound basic but I am new to the site and don't really know where you guys have gone with this in the past or who I am posting these questions to. I have soaked up more Chevy knowledge in the past 6 months than I have in the past 38 years. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif Thanks Guys, Marc

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Me too, learning lots from these guys, great site eh?

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

That car is now owned by John Oehler, and it was at the reunion. The pic was taken years before GH bought the car from GD.

I'm trying to post the best vintage '69 Yenko Nova pic I have, stay tuned.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Better late than never!

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

There we go, the 6 cyl bezels I was talking about, with Yenko's own 427 emblems situated ahead of them. Note the 427 emblem is slightly higher than dead center, as I assume the lead pin on the 4 utilized the original 396 bezel's leading hole. Also note the connecting bar on the bottom of the 427 emblem is filed slightly on it's leading edge to correspond with the the angle of the Nova's wrap around eyebrow molding. This practice has been documented on some original 69 Yenko Chevelles as they shared a similar fender eyebrow molding as well. Pretty neat.
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/103...R%20Suydam.jpg

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Great picture. Just what we were looking for. Love the stickers plastered everywhere also. Day 2 look on day 3!

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

The entire pic is really cool, mailbox hood scoop and all. However, it's too big to post the whole thing, and it's not very clear either. Wish I had more!

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Marlin, can you post me the entire pic ([email protected])? I can tweak it so that it fits and may even be able to improve the quality.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

You got it, it's on the way!
Thanks https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Here ya go:

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/103...aKSuydam-2.jpg

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Same car today?

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/103...aKSuydam-3.jpg

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

AAR, the car isn't brown. It's garnett red/blk vinyl top. The red is very fadded in the picture. S.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Shouldn't this car have the SS Hood Louvers?

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Same car, and I believe that Kevin has an NOS SS hood and louvers ready for the car.

Thanks Denis!

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Did the guy remove all the Yenko striping and hood way back when it was being raced? What year was that picture from?

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

I honestly don't know much about the picture, other than that it was taken by the last owner in PA. Don't know which of the two guys in the pic was the last owner, nor when the stripes were taken off. What I do know is that this car is the only '69 Yenko Nova that we know came with the mag wheels! We have a 'YENKO BULLETIN' from '70 alerting other dealers in the network that Stauffer Chev. still had this car on their lot.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

i'm no know it all but i'm pretty sure kevin's car is a non ss car and john's is an ss car if i'm wrong i'l admit it but i dont think i am

thanks mike

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

And why do you think that?

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

what i have been told they look it to me

mike

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

There's a long story behind KS's car, I'll have to check the archives so I don't have to type it again. But, suffice to say, it was originally an SS car.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

This was takin from the write up on Kevin's web page.
This car was the first Yenko Nova built, and was originally an L78 SS 396.
<font color="blue">"This Nova left the factory with a 396/375 HP, Muncie 4-speed, 4.11 12-bolt positraction, and power front disc brakes. It is Garnet Red with standard black vinyl trim. It was destined to be raced so it was ordered very basic, radio-delete, etc, having no comfort options which would have been just added weight to slow the car down. Yenko did their magic with transplanting the L72 427, Stewart Warner column mounted tach, SYC graphics and other high performance modifications. It would be safe to bet that since this was the first 427 Nova, it was built with an extra level of performance in mind." </font>

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

That's a nice writeup, but we are not sure if Kevin's or Tom's car is the first produced - it's dependant on the discussion regarding which came first, the body number or the VIN number. It's also presumptious regarding the 'extra level of performance' and 'destined to be raced, and was ordered...' This car sat unsold for over a year on Stauffer's lot, so nobody actually 'ordered' this car. I would also be very surprised if it was truly a radio delete car, simply because Yenko ordered an AM Radio 99% of the time when he ordered these batches of cars.

However, this car kick's butt, and Kevin is correcting many of the resto issues, so it's only getting better. Kevin also plans to install the mag wheels that are referenced in the paperwork.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Marlin,
I agree, the write up is a bit presumptious to say the least.
The real point of the post was the fact that the car was originally an L78 SS 396 car.
Evey time I visit Kevin's web site I just Drool.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Should have seen the 25 or so of us that got to tour his collection during the Seattle All Chevy Show in 2003. I know he had to mop the floor after we left from all the drool we left behind.

But then Sandlin has a mop hanging by his door of his Rod Shop the whole time Im at his place also!!!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Both guys have top notch collections, that's for sure! I checked my paperwork last night, and Kevin's '69 Y-Nova was still on Stauffers lot as of 7/29/70 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

I'll try to scan a copy of this sheet, it's pretty cool! Special thanks to Schoneye who contributed this page to the Registry! (It's too big, and I can't seem to crop it enough. I'll email it to Denis and see if he can attach it)

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Marlin and gentlemen ...could it have been ordered in special but then for some reason the buyer backed out???...then the higher price tag with the car was the reason it sat for a while...most guys could barely scrape together the dough for a reg SS car let alone one with some added parts on the window sticker..its not the first documented conversion car that had trouble selling as soon as it hit the dealer due to the higher price tag wether it was a GM or Dealer conversion right???.

Bud.

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

That is a logical conclusion, but I'm not really sure. After Denis posts the bulletin, you will see that the price on this car was $3,150. So, the price wasn't all that high for comparably equipped cars, and was probably competitive with a nicely equipped SS L78 Nova. According to the description of this car, the only extra cost option were the wheels.

If this Y-Nova had anything special done to it's engine, I would imagine that those items would have been in this bulletin as well. You will see that Yenko is also notifying the dealers that he has a '69 Yenko Camaro for sale. It's a HO a/t car, 'Ready-for-the-Strip' he says! It has $1,000 of engine upgrades, v/t, elecric fuel pump, special springs, KONI's, and an AM Radio. It's a used car, but you can see how Yenko advertised these things, if it had upgrades, he'd let you know about them!

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https://www.yenko.net/attachments/103...aKSuydam-4.gif

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

I happened to noticed the contact person for Colonial Chevrolet in the ad. I wonder if they are related to the people that own the current Casey Chevrolet (auto group) in the VA. Beach area? Might be an area to explore...

Re: 69 Yenko Nova ?s
 

Thanks Denis! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

I believe the Colonial car in the bulletin is/was owned by G.Holub.