Why aren't Yenko Stingers More Popular?

[VinYenko]

I never see a lot of discussion on the Yenko Stinger on this board. Why aren't more of you owner's of Stingers? It seems it would be the easiest and least expensive way to own a real Yenko. I ask this since I have been considering buying one. Thanks for any and all comments.

[Belair62]

Pretty cool cars....more of a road course car than a muscle car....I wouldn't mind having one !

[427TJ]

That's an easy one. Corvairs, even those modified by Don Yenko, are not the hairy-chested macho machines that the Deuces and 427 Novas and Camaros were and are. Not to look down on Stingers but they just don't have the head-turning presence and the lion's roar that the big-motored cars have.

[YenkoYS100]

Yeah, they have too small of a VW type engine to be muscle-bound. They only had up to 240hp. and were allowed a 2000lb. race weight. They would only do 0-60mph in 6 seconds in '66-'67. Ummm...... I don't think they would have given any 3500lb. muscle cars much of a run for their money. Oh, and I forgot 1 real important fact.... with the engine in the wrong end of a car, the Stingers would not smoke the rear tires and look real cool.

[427TJ]

I agree with you Rick! But, as so often is the case, it's not about a car's capabilities, it's about its sex appeal. The crowd goes for sex appeal every time.

I'm guilty of going for sex appeal myself. My first car was a '67 Camaro and my current play car is a '67 Camaro. Even if a Corvair could be made to out-lap a Camaro on a road course (or, gasp, in the 1/4) the Camaro would still be my car of choice because of its sex appeal. Chicks dig Camaros.

[YenkoYS100]

Yes, but is that sex appeal really worth the extra $100K-250K???

I find both straightline performance, and handling, to be extremely gratifying. However, given the choice, I will take the well handling car over the faster car, every time.

I realize that is just my opinion.

The Stinger will have its day. It is the last "affordable" Yenko. With the hero worship bestowed (not saying it isn't deserved) on the Yenko's, it is only a matter of time before people "discover" the Stinger.

As you can see, we have both the Stinger, and a '68 Camaro (Rick had a '68 Z28 that he totalled when he was 20 years old). The Stinger, however, holds the warmest place in our hearts (its helps that we are the third owner, that it is all original short of paint, and has a fully documented race history).

BTW, this is Ricks wife Gloria posting this. Me and Rick share the same passion for vehicles.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, but is that sex appeal really worth the extra $100K-250K???

[/ QUOTE ]

Apparently the answer is yes. I never said sex appeal was rational!

[g503jeep]

having owned many corvairs, both street and racing never did buy a stinger, although i looked at many,

,the spirit of DON is in the corvair, having been the start of his interests in doing something racing , factory and yet custom,the first dealings in the coporate world of GENERAL MOTORS,


a different car in performance and handling , yet ,they bring out the depth that he went to, all through the years, after all, he had to start somewhere

[Z-11 396]

<<< NOW >>> I KNOW WHY I DON'T GET THE GIRL'S, I THOUGHT IT WAS ++ME++ , I GLAD TO KNOW IT'S MY ''CAR'',..KASEY ..

[Xplantdad]

Geez Kasey, I was waiting for you to respond.