Gold Yenko at Mecum sets record

[lycan]

Originally Posted by bergy

Please help me keep the notes correct in the registry. What makes this car a prototype?

Originally Posted by JoeC

I have not found evidence of a “prototype” or what car was first to get the stripes and emblems.
It is an interesting discussion but not the big story.

I have an explanation i'd like to offer, and i think it's been staring us in the face all along.
VIN 124379N579281

This car is NOT the first "prototype" Yenko "conversion" prepared by Yenko for 1969 (bear with me). Other cars were prepped by Yenko for 1969, including emblems and decals, before this one.
EVIDENCE:
- The VIN is too deep, 16~17 cars from the first known Yenkos for 1969
- The term "prototype" doesn't even make sense, for emblem and decal placement only. Emblem placement is pretty trivial, in the scheme of things, and doesn't need to be "prototyped" after already doing it for 2 years.
- The term "conversion" doesn't even make sense, for emblem and decal placement only. The '67 and '68 cars needed full engine swaps for 427s (prior to COPO L72s) ... now that's a dealer "conversion"!
- Mecum descriptions in general, and this one in particular, are known to be false (there were four gold Yenkos with white stripes in 1969, not two). Pure works of fiction, with zero legal liability.
- Emblem placement, alone, is not compelling or convincing to determine "order", given other known variations in emblem placement.
REFERENCES:
Post #4: https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184313
Post #43, #58: https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184409


This car IS the Yenko DRAG CAR prototype for 1969.
EVIDENCE:

- Yenko decided to jump into drag racing, with both feet, in 1969.
From McClurg's book (page 137):
"Someone once asked Don Yenko why he preferred road racing over drag racing? His matter-of-fact reply was, 'I can't get off in 10 seconds. I need at least 45 minutes behind the wheel!'
However, Yenko's preference for 'corner carving' over straight-line racing certainly didn't impede his keen sense of marketing. When it came to Yenko Sportscars 1969 product lineup, he instinctively knew that drag racing was where the real money was at! Early in the year, Yenko entered into an agreement with NHRA Division One racer Ed Hedrick to campaign a Yenko/SC 427 Camaro in NHRA's Super Stock E class. It would prove to be one of the best marketing decisions Don Yenko ever made."

- For the Super Stock & Drag Illustrated test/article, this car obviously DID have an uncommon "conversion" of sorts: headers, leaf spring clips, scattershield over the bell housing, and ignition timing adjusted for best 1/4 mile times. We also know these items to be "prototypical", because Yenko never sent his 1969 cars to dealers with headers (for example), according to McNeish book (page 130).


** All of which allows this car to be considered a "prototype", even though other cars may have been prepped with emblems and decals, and sent to other dealers FIRST.


IN SHORT: It wasn't the emblem placement that makes this car a "prototype" ... it was the DRAG PREP!! In this context ... the emblem placement is incidental, or maybe even "uniquely chosen" to identify this car as Yenko's DRAG CAR PROTOTYPE.

Obviously, even if the car is not the FIRST Yenko to be prepped for the '69 model year, it still has HUGE historical significance as the first/pilot "prototype drag car" for 1969 (and the SS & DI article).


that's my story and i'm stickn to it