Rotisserie Built Camaro Yenko Tribute "512" 427 V8 4 Speed Manual PS Rally Green

SUMMARY

In a showroom full of pristine, numbers-matching Camaros and well done pro-tourers, it's always nice to see something a bit different. And it takes some serious skill to pull off a build that's TRULY different without being too extreme to honor the car's original attributes, or a thinly veiled custom. A fully sorted head turner, this awesome F1 has been completely restored, fitted with a coveted '512' 427 and decked in traditional Yenko war paint. But here's the best part: it isn't just another rare show piece that's a practice in moribund competition and garage queen gimmicks. This coupe is a fully sorted, big block rocket that's ready to put the "Super" back in "Yenko Super Car". If you're searching for some old school Chevrolet muscle that wraps killer performance in outstanding good looks, your Camaro has arrived!

BODYWORK/TRIM

During a thorough, frame-off restoration, conducted by Eric's Classic Auto Service of Baldwin, Wisconsin, this solid coupe was entirely disassembled and carefully stripped of its dull, original pigment. Once that prep was complete, an incredibly straight fuselage was augmented with a bit of fresh sheetmetal. As that massaged profile featured better-than-factory alignment, a brilliant coat of Rally Green 2-stage was buffed to a spectacular shine. With that paint slicked, official Yenko stripes highlighted a traditional, Satin Black taillight panel. And today, one close look at our high resolution photos reveals a handsome payoff in the form of one of the coolest Chevrolet muscle cars on the planet!

The overall look of this F1 is beyond factory fresh. And thanks to an astute attention to detail, the car has the kind of killer eyeball appeal that makes casual by-standers stop and take notice. At the front of its body, a stainless-trimmed grille hangs a traditional bowtie and bright halogen headlights above a clean Endura Bumper, clear parking lamps and an optional D80 chin spoiler. At the top of that grille, a familiar cowl induction hood shines bright "427" emblems in front of like-new glass that's framed in straight stainless trim. At the sides of that hood, sculpted fenders hang requisite "Camaro" and "YENKO" badging in front of standard rocker trim, a correct driver's mirror and traditional door handles. And at the back of the car, a mirrored bumper reflects polished exhaust pipes, an optional D80 deck spoiler, segmented taillights and more "YENKO" and "427" emblems.

ENGINE

While the exterior of the famed Yenko Camaros is a story all its own, what really made these cars special is what lived between their fenders. Lift this Chevy's glossy hood and you'll find a coveted '512' 427 that's been restored to a highly detailed, show worthy appearance. At the top of the hot block, oxygen flows from a painted and decaled air cleaner in to a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and lightweight Winters intake. At the sides of that intake, stamped and chromed valve covers hang multi-color Yenko decals above tough, cast iron heads. At the back of those covers, a rebuilt points distributor sequences fire between a tagged Delco battery and 7mm AC Delco Premium Wires, which snake around coated Doug's headers. Opposite that distributor, traditional V-belts spin a correct alternator beside factory power steering. Cooling is provided by a dressed and decaled radiator, which funnels water through reproduction GM hoses and fresh tower clamps. And since most '69 Camaros came factory-equipped with power disc brakes, an appropriate Delco Moraine booster is present and accounted for. Aesthetically, the Satin Black engine compartment is impressively clean and, for the most part, looks straight out of Don Yenko's Pennsylvania showroom. And bright Chevy Orange block skin is just the finishing touch to make you want to pop the lid as soon as you park the car.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

While you could order a Yenko with a slushbox, the vast majority were equipped with 'row as you go' 4-speeds. And this particular tribute utilizes a tough Muncie to spin a tough 12-bolt rear end. That drivetrain rides in a restored double A-arm front and solid axle rear suspension, which features power front disc and rear drum brakes. Factory power steering utilizes a requisite Saginaw gearbox to keep sweeps controlled and turn-in easy. There's a pair of beefy subframe connectors that ensure the 427 isn't at odds with the car's glossy Fisher body. A thrill-inducing soundtrack fills correctly chambered pipes. At the corners of the chassis, Yenko-branded American Racing Torq Thrust Ds spin 235/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs in front of 255/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs. And overall, this Chevy's fully restored chassis is completely sorted and ready to hit the road.

INTERIOR

Open this F1's solid doors and you'll find an attractive black interior that was installed during the car's extensive rebirth. A familiar combination of bench and bucket seats props "sYc" headrests on tight vinyl upholstery. In front of those thrones, a good looking dash hangs fully restored telemetry above a vintage Delco radio and classy Stewart Warner accessory gauges. Below that dash, fade-free carpet frames a requisite Hurst shifter and stainless-trimmed foot pedals. At the sides of that carpet, Standard door panels are decorated with clean stainless and correct "Camaro" emblems. Above those panels, a tight headliner, which retains all of its color, centers a chrome-trimmed dome lamp between fade-free shoulder belts. The driver carves the road through a standard issue steering wheel, which laps a cool Stewart Warner tach. And passengers store essentials in a fully restored and correctly equipped trunk.

Very few enthusiasts are lucky enough to own a true Yenko Camaro, and, as always, good fortune often creates added responsibility. Keep it in a padded garage... Track down increasingly hard to find parts.... Don't drive it too much.... Check the forecast every two hours... You get the picture. This Camaro provides one lucky enthusiast the opportunity to buy a first class Yenko car, which actually FEELS like a Yenko car, to drive and parade without worry. Why not buy a classic you can actually enjoy? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte!