68 yenko

[NovaMob03]

Why would '68's pull stronger $$ than 69's $500K is huge
This '68 bids to 145K and looks like it needs another 100 to restore. That seems high to me, but I like that color and suppose if I had deep pockets, the price wouldn't matter.

[camarojoe]

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Why would '68's pull stronger $$ than 69's

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This seems to be common thinking, but personally I believe a better question would be "Why wouldn't they?" With 64 units built vs. 198 with every bit as many (often more) unique features as the 69's...they always were and always will be the rarer Yenko Camaro to own. Case in point...SCR11 featured about a dozen 69 Yenko Camaros but only ONE 68. This isn't unusual, I don't think I've EVER seen more than 2 or 3 in one place at one time, so there's no denying they're a more "exclusive" Yenko to own than a 69. I'll be the first to admit the 69 Camaro body is an overall better looking car than a 68, but there's no denying the coolness of a 68 sYc car with redline tires and fiberglass hood, and the rarity of them should make them at least as valuable as a 69 IMO. Same goes for documented 67 Yenko Camaros too, as far as that goes.

[Born30YrsLate]

...I had thought that because the '69 Yenko Camaros were the only factory 427 cars that would help balance out with the rarity of '67 and '68 which were engine transplant cars...

[csx289]

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...I had thought that because the '69 Yenko Camaros were the only factory 427 cars that would help balance out with the rarity of '67 and '68 which were engine transplant cars...


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Fred, and my opinion was always just the opposite. The fact that '67 and '68 Y Camaros were actually converted at Yenko, by Yenko techs, and were a true dealer-built Supercar is what makes them more desirable than a Chevy-built '69 to me. Especially when a '69 Y Camaro is a decal and trim addition only to a COPO 427 car, yes, it is cool to have a factory installed motor in your Yenko but knowing that anybody in 1969 could walk into any Chevy dealer (not just Yenko) and buy essentially the same car takes away some of the uniqueness and special nature of the 67/68 cars.

In the case of the '68 cars, while I am not in general a huge fan of 68 Camaro (or many other 68 cars for that matter, seemed to be an off year in Detriot!), to me the 68 Yenko is a very special animal. It is the last year that Yenko actually built cars at Yenko Chevrolet (ie, converted them in the shop) but it is also the first year they used a special COPO package built by Chevy for Yenko on these cars. So you have a Chevy COPO L78 with a Yenko-installed 427 CE shortblock. Not a complete motor swap, just the basement Plus, as Joe pointed out, the cool 68 only "67 Shelby" style hood, 68 only Pontiac Rally II wheels, and the lowest production numbers of all 3 years with 64 cars built.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love 69 Yenko Camaros as well and have owned a good number of them. And I sure as heck would love to own another and to add a '67 to the mix if I could find a good one with good paper. But there is a really good reason I have kept my '68 - I just think they are the most unique of all 3 years, the lowest # built, and I really like the COPO+Yenko build. And, being a Pontiac/Shelby guy the wheels and the hood make me feel like I am not cheating

As far as the eBay car....even a $100k resto won't bring back all the original stuff that is missing or replace the factory VIN tags. And I highly doubt you could properly restore that car with correct (replacement) components and all the unique '68 stuff for anywhere near $100k. I spent almost $100k freshening my car and it was a Camaro Nats Gold Concours winner in the late-1990's. For example, I had to buy 3 NOS SW 990 tach senders just to get one dated 3/68...let's not even talk about finding the right NOS smog or early '68 JA-code 14" Pontiac Rally II wheels with good lug holes! I think it took me 15 wheels to get 5 good ones.

I'm guessing the eBay car can't be bought for much under $200k, add to that maybe $150k in resto and parts, and somebody would have an awesome 68 in a great color - but always with the story on the VIN and lots of repo/replacement parts. Still, might be worth it for somebody that really wants a 68. Looks like a pretty solid old body.

Colin

[Unreal]

Anyone could walk into a Chevy dealer and order a COPO -- IF (big IF)they knew about it. Apparently few did as there were only about 1000 units built.

Same would be true about the 68 Yenko. With Yenko's network, you could walk into any Yenko dealer and buy one. Few did as only 64 were built.

I think the coolest 68s out there are COPO9737 L78s that did not get converted. I think I'd rather have one of those with its born with L78 driveline, than have a converted 427. But that's just me....I can't afford either.

[camarojoe]

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Plus, as Joe pointed out, the cool 68 only "67 Shelby" style hood, 68 only Pontiac Rally II wheels, and the lowest production numbers of all 3 years with 64 cars built.




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Not to pick nits, but 67 was actually the lowest production year for the Yenko Camaro.

[csx289]

Joe,ummm, 107 +/- '67's and 64 +/- '68's...you teachers and your new math You must be of the "less is more" school of thought?

As far as converted vs. non-converted 68's? I think the few non-converted cars are very cool and no doubt extremely rare. But for me, the whole reason to own a Supercar is to have that special part that makes it "Super" and in the case of Yenko Camaros it is the 427 engine.

I have to go now, because I think Ed Montini will be burning a cross in my yard soon LOL. Don't take it personally, Ed, I like non-converted cars a ton- just happen to like my 31 extra cubic inches and the fact that Yenko's guys spun wrenches on my car to put it in and make it a Yenko Super Camaro as opposed to a COPO L78 car.

I have my fire extinguisher ready for all the flaming I am about to get

Colin

[camarojoe]

Heck, I'm just the art teacher... Counting isn't even in my job description. I DO teach the "less is more" theory though... especially when dealing with Elmer's Glue and 5 year olds.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Joe,ummm, 107 +/- '67's and 64 +/- '68's...you teachers and your new math You must be of the "less is more" school of thought?

Colin

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Joe may be correct if you figure it out like this?.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJS8GszWJuQ


~ Pete

[Born30YrsLate]

Coling...I appreciate your viewpoint...now you got me rethinking the entire situation...you're pretty good writer, you should write a book

quote "For example, I had to buy 3 NOS SW 990 tach senders just to get one dated 3/68..."quote

Do you have any of those extra SW tach senders laying around that you won't use?...I'm looking at picking one up sometime. I can just picture you buying a bunch of these and opening them up to see what's inside just like the kids in Charley and the Chocolate Factory looking for the golden ticket.