'68 Yenko, Transplant vs. COPO

[Kurt S]

I have data on a 68 Yenko, April car, with the POP (MV) and the original engine it left Yenko with, which is a CE block.
Also, Fran Preve has dug into the Tonawanda records and determined MV's were 396's.
Now, there could have been a running change during the year, but re-using an existing engine code would be unusual.

One other thing: if Chevy was installing 427's into cars in 68, then what held up the 69 COPO's until January of 69?

Just more fodder for discussion.

Kurt S
CRG - www.camaros.org

[Casey Marks]

Hey guys ......

as a Chevrolet neophite, but avid *all-musclecar fan*, this discourse is very interesting. The history and background on the Chevy Supercars is one of the most interesting to me.

I've followed this specific thread for quite a while now. I tip-my-hat to the gentlemanly way that you discuss some differences in opinion on *MV* coded blocks, and their intentions / origins. This solidifies in my mind what a class-act you guys are !!

And they say the Buick boyz go Fast with Class ........

Casey Marks
1970 Olds F85 W-31
13.xx @ 10x.xx <---(I gotta keep Rob on his toes....)

[Chevy454]

Casey:

Good to have you aboard! So, what are you doing with all of your free time now that the Buick board is down?!

You correct with your "gentlemanly way" statement. We have to look at pretty much everything concerning these cars with an open mind, because you sometimes never know! And we all know some odd things happened along the way with these cars!

Now, about those ETs...so, you are STILL not going to divulge any info, huh? Well, if you keep posting those 13.XX ets, that may give Pete or Marlin something to shoot for, and you just may get your wish about running a small block Nova...

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Brian;
That is a good point you make about blocks getting 'hit' once the word was out regarding them being 'MV' codes. We both know how people will try to make something appear more 'original' just for the money.

I also believe Kevin's car is the exception to the transplant rule for '68, and agree that it is unusual for GM to let a 'test mule' go to the public. I think that they did this because they had a Purchase Order from Yenko for this test, and I don't think either side wanted to crush the car when the test was finished. The paperwork that Kevin has with this car certainly points to a process change within a few short months in '68, and outlines some of the hurdles that GM was jumping over to get this car out of their hair. (Fuel pump, smog, export tag, ect...)

I think that after Yenko received this car, he did what Chrysler did with their 1st Hemi Cuda, put it way out in the middle of nowhere - certainly not in a big city with media and lawyers. Kevin can divulge the originating dealership for his car if he wants to, but I think it was a wise move by Yenko not to publicize this particular car, just move it out!
M



[Edited by YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY (05-07-2001 at 02:31 PM).]

[JoeC]

There may have been at least two of the COPO 427 cars built by Chevy. On that form that was shown in the Chevy Action article there is a field on the top line that appears to be a quanty number and has a "2". I can't read it that well so a better copy will need to be checked. Jim M. may remember if that was the field for quanty on that form. Our engineering forms at work always have the order quanty on the top line like that. Does anyone know where the "one and only" raffle car 68 Yenko Camaro is now?

[Edited by JoeC (05-04-2001 at 12:29 PM).]

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

This topic has been, and probably always will be, a source of long debate with contrary opinions, views, recollections, and quotes. Rarely do we conclude a discussion topic, but as this particular post slips down on the list I think it is wise to do so.

The purpose of bringing this topic to the BB was simply to present, and receive feedback, that there is sufficient evidence supporting a 'gray' area between the quotes from (with all due respect to the individuals) Vince and Don Yenko that the '68 Yenko Camaros were transplants, vs. Jim M. that most or all of them were COPO 427's under #9737. The paperwork that Kevin has supplied shows that at least one test vehicle with an unknown VIN # was produced by GM, and that it apparently went to Yenko Chevrolet. It is probably wise to stop with that one conservative conclusion, and consider the purpose achieved.

I think is it commendable to all who contributed to this lengthy post for keeping an open mind, because as we all know we can't say 'never' or 'always' with GM!

Marlin