Yenko Wheels

[camarojoe]

I have some photos of Atlas wheels with the yenko logo centercaps dated 1969, not sure if they were offered prior to that or not... come to think of it i don't know that i've seen an original "period" pic of a pre-69 Yenko car with Atlas mag wheels.

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Unbeleivably great story you guys...and it makes perfect sense too....I wonder if they supplied Pennsy RR with the aluminum for train engines...big Pennsy shop was in Altoona...Baldwin Locomotive wasn't far either...in fact a lot of Locomotive shops were out that way...

[/ QUOTE ]

Belair, i live about 40 miles from Altoona, the next time i drive through I'll check to see if any of the locomotives have Atlas mags on them.

[Mr70]

Wait for them to stop moving first.

[camarojoe]

Thanks for the tip. Will you stop them for me?

[Mr70]

Sure.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

About 5-6 years ago, two sets of 4-14" Atlas mags were purchased from the Atlasburg foundry in Atlasburg, PA. Both sets are on Deuces at this time.

I believe the atlas mags started in late '68 early '69, and continued through '70 for the 14" version. To my knowledge, the only Yenko Nova to ever receive the mag wheels is Kevin Suydam's '69 Yenko Nova as advertised in Yenko's Bulletin in '70.

[firstgenaddict]

Wonder what it would cost to have some new ones cast?
No markings etc.
Shhhh lets keep the DOT out of it....they might get
My dad is having some parts cast at a local Aluminum Foundry right now. Hmmmmmm

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
If Yenko saved money, the foundry probably lost some on this deal.

[/ QUOTE ]That's entirely possible Steve. I don't remember the name of the gentleman from Atlas specifically, but Warren did mention it and I likely have it jotted down somewhere. Warren explained he was a wealthy thirtysomething who had inherited the rights and royalties of this core design that was being produced in great quantity for locomotive engine/power generation use. The design had apparently been originally conceived by his late father, who left the rights of it to his son. Warren commented on the gentleman's fast cars and equally fast lifestyle, and that he thought he sort of got a kick out of hanging out with a real race team and being around fast Corvettes. He didn't need his job at Atlas and he didn't really need to work anywhere because of the residuals he was receieving for the use of his father/family's design. He likely cast the items for Yenko as a favor, in which Yenko likely repaid him in Corvette race parts, service, etc. Just two intelligent businessmen putting their resources together.

Belair hit it on the head though. Yenko used suppliers that were close to him. He ran a small family owned operation and he liked to use similar suppliers whenever possible. Regency trim shop and the Atlasburg foundry are only a few. The tire shop across the street helped with mounting Magnum 500's up for the Deuces and local kids were employed to help stripe and prepare Supercars for delivery. Gulf Oil's headquarters were also based in Pittsburgh when Don sought their sponsorship. He was a local guy who wisely used his local connections. Heck Don even went to Penn State where he likely spied Stocker Chevrolet who he would later endorse as a SPAN/Yenko network dealer.

The local Pittsburgh connection is part of what makes the Yenko operation so interesting to me today. Don really made an impact on the hi-performance car scene here in the 'Burgh, the likes of which we'll likely never see again. Here's to you Don.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

To Don, and the young guns who do the research on this stuff!

[bkhpah]

I know one 67 RS Camaro in original paint that sold new from Yenko with SW tach and Atlas mags. Still on the car to this day. I cannot tell you for sure if they were bought in 67 or 68 but the car for sure came from Yenko..BKH