This thread has really gone down hill since the Ford guys came in.
just kidding.
Back to my rant ……
Having over 20 years experience in researching Yenko stuff I have learned that you can’t just find one list and accept it as the correct number.
As Ron Reagan said, “Trust, but Verify ”.
What is good and bad about the Yenko records is the sheer volume that exists.
Bad - because it complicates the documentation process.
Good - because some cars may have 5 separate documents showing the vin and other info. That’s iron clad documentation.
“Don’s word” of 107 should be cross-referenced to the other Yenko records. The 107 list is an important document and any found cars on there should be checked out but the first half of the list has a lot of problems when compared to other Yenko records and to the found cars.
In the 1987 MCR interview Don said he built 400 Stingers, 54 1967 Camaros, 64 1968 Camaros, 500 69 Camaros, 200 Deuces, and “about 100 Chevelles, and “about 35 Novas”.
Looks like MCR had Vince E’s numbers and presented them to Don in the interview. It appears Don accepted the 67, 68, Camaro numbers, and used them in the interview. He would not accept the 201 number but stood by his number of 500 69 Y Camaros. He gave them the “350th Unit” picture to which they posted the caption “ Up until now, it was believed that only 201 COPO 9561 Camaros were built for Yenko. Take a look at the picture. Of the 500 COPO cars here’s documentation that the 350th unit was sold ……….”
I have letters Don wrote to Chevy talking about 1000 hi po cars in one year. Don consistently used high numbers. I guess he was just doing his job promoting his name. He was trying to get a 2nd dealership in 1968. (I have Don’s desk file on this). He didn’t get it. Then he was pushing for approval for a new large modern Chevy Dealership.
He got that in 1973.
Don was a good businessman (and salesman) but this shows why you have to verify Don’s numbers. This is not a negative mark against DY but according to “Don’s word” there are 300 69 Y Camaro ghost cars floating around.
Look at the first half of the 107 list shown on here. It is all blank except for the vin. It’s a ghost town – there isn’t even a piece of sagebrush blowing through it.
The above is, of course, all just my opinion.
BTW Colin, is your 68 Y Camaro the one Don Garlits drag tested in MCR? Saw it when looking for the interview.