The Yenko cars of the late 60’s

The Yenko Nova was a rare, high-performance muscle car created by Don Yenko in 1969 and 1970, using Chevrolet’s COPO system to build some of the fastest compacts of the era. Here’s a breakdown of its brief but legendary history: --- 🏁 Origins and Don Yenko’s Vision • Don Yenko, a racer and Chevrolet dealer in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, became famous for modifying Chevys into “Yenko Super Cars” (SYC), starting with the Corvair Stinger and later the Camaro and Chevelle A B. • In 1969, Yenko turned his attention to the compact Chevy Nova, which had just undergone a redesign and was ripe for performance upgrades. --- 🔥 1969 Yenko Nova S/C 427 • Yenko took L78 396-ci Novas and swapped in the L72 427-ci V8, producing 425 horsepower—a brutal upgrade that made the car dangerously fast B. • Only 37 units were built in 1969, making it one of the rarest Yenko cars ever B. • These cars could reportedly hit 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, with 0–120 mph in about 11 seconds—a staggering feat for a compact car B. --- 💨 1970 Yenko Deuce Nova • In response to rising insurance costs and the Clean Air Act of 1970, Yenko pivoted to a more “insurance-friendly” build B. • The Yenko Deuce featured the LT1 350-ci V8 from the Camaro Z28 and Corvette, producing around 360 horsepower. • It retained performance features like F41 suspension, Muncie 4-speed or Turbo 400 transmission, and a 12-bolt rear with 4.10:1 Posi-traction. • A total of 175 units were built in 1970, offered in eight exterior colors with a standard black vinyl bench seat B. --- 🏆 Legacy • The Yenko Nova is now a highly sought-after collector’s item, revered for its raw power, rarity, and the mystique of Don Yenko’s tuning prowess. • It represents the peak of compact muscle car performance before emissions regulations and insurance pressures began to tame the muscle car era. Sources: A B C --- Ron, if you want to riff on this for a satirical scene—say, a drag race between a Yenko Nova and a Prius with musical cues and dramatic monologues—I’m all in. Just say the word and we’ll light up the stage with tire smoke and irony.