1968 Yenko Copo Camaro/ Non converted car

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

We had assumed that any 9737 '68 Camaros were ordered through sYc - especially since the COPO was still called Sports Car Conversion - Yenko! So, we also assumed that in order for a COPO car to end up at Kenny Ross that it had to be dealer trxfrd from Yenko, maybe not, but most likely that's the only way another dealer would get one. An NICB would certainly clear that up for good!

Obviously, the car is not a Yenko though, it's a non-converted copo, and I'm assuming will be restored as such??

[T Billigen]

I never "assume" anything. I can't remember what the window sticker said. I only became interested in the background when Huber was restoring his 68 Yenko. A lot of the options that were on his car were on my old car. I even went down to the owners garage and looked at the cowl tag and interior to make sure what I remembered was indeed there and it was. This was in 1992 so I have been keeping an eye on the car for along time, when I got the oportunity I bought it! The bottom line is I know what it is and I now own it again!!! And it is the same car as in the thread

[Charley Lillard]

I never got the impression that Tom was claiming it was a Yenko. Just that he was certain that it was a 9737 Yenko option car. One would then assume that it would have been a Dealer Trade since we haven't heard of anybody else ordering the 68 9737 option outside of Yenko. It sounds like a Cool car and I'm glad you got it back.

[T Billigen]

Thanks Charly, If it is a "KENNY ROSS" COPO, it would be the only one in existance.

[sYc]

Sorry Charley. Kind of confusing, as this car is/has been discussed in two different threads here. Here is the post I was referring to.

"I am now the owner (again) of my 1968 Corvette Bronze 396/375 Camaro which I originally purchased new at Kenny Ross Chevrolet in Pittsburgh, PA in September 1968. Car only has 5K original miles, and may be a Non-Converted COPO/Yenko which I was unaware of at the time I owned it. Have been researching this possibility for sometime now and all signs are looking very positive. Will update as I learn more. I have attached a picture of the car that was taken in 1968 in front of the dealership.

[Charley Lillard]

Yes that is the same post. "and may be a Non-Converted COPO/Yenko which I was unaware of at the time I owned it.". I would also assume that Yenko would have ordered the car with the intention of converting it to a Yenko 427 car but didn't ever need it so Yenko sold or traded it unconverted but I would still call it a unconverted Copo/Yenko car. I just wouldn't call it a Yenko.

[T Billigen]

I think that is a fair assesment

[camarojoe]

I'll bet if you run an NICB report (how do you do that anyway?) It will come back to Yenko Chevrolet. I'll also bet that the original window sticker DID say Yenko Chevrolet on top, and Tom just never noticed, either that or Kenny Ross made up a new sticker for it after they received the car. I find it very unlikely that Kenny Ross ordered their "own" COPO 68 Camaros. I know, "never say never", but I think its much more likely that Yenko just dealer traded their overstocked 68 Camaros to neighboring dealers that needed them as the model year wound down. I would also say its very possible that there are other "non converted" 68 SS396 L78s originally delivered to Yenko out there, not only from Kenny Ross but potentially from other Greater Pittsburgh area dealers. Tom B., doesn't that original pic you have show at least one other 68 L78 parked beside yours? Theres a possibility its still out there too! As for what you would "call" the car, if an NICB report shows it was ordered by Yenko originally, I would definitely call it an uncoverted 68 Yenko SS396. After all, most "converted" Yenkos were ultimately sold through other dealers, and weren't actually sold off the Canonsburg lot anyhow. The key to all this (obviously) is to get a report to prove that this car was originally delivered to Yenko.

[JoeC]

Tom,
Yenko had 9 Camaros advertized for sale in Sep 68.
1 396 375hp rally green special interior group tinted windshield Am radio 140 mph speedo
1 396 325hp Ash Gold
1 427 450hp Madador Red Yenko Super Camaro 850 cfm Holley special maximum performance intake manifold
1 427 425hp Ash Gold turbo hydro
5 396 375hp Corvette Bronze special interior group tinted windshield Am radio 140 mph speedo