Chevrolet was in for a surprise when they allowed American race car driver Don Yenko to reinvent the first-generation Camaro. Building a high-performance version of the Camaro, Yenko set himself in a league of his own with this creation.

Although General Motors equipped the 1967 Camaro SS with an L-78 396 cubic-inch motor, Yenko saw no limit in performance and aspired to push the envelope further with the Camaro.

Fitted with an L-78 motor, Yenko swapped it out for the Chevrolet Corvette’s solid-lifter L-72 427ci (7.0L) V8 engine. With higher flow cylinder heads and a more aggressive cam, the L-72 pumped out 425 hp versus the L-78’s 375 hp.

Due to the sales success of the Camaro in its first year, Yenko continued to build his version of Chevrolet’s sports coupe.

In 1968, each Yenko Camaro rolled out with a Muncie M-21 close-ratio four speed manual transmission. Changes also included a large, twin-scoop hood. Yenko badges were also placed on the sides and rear of the vehicle.

Additionally, the Yenko Camaro was fitted with a 140 mph speedometer to compensate for the increased performance. Nonetheless, Yenko replaced the factory 396ci motor for the 427ci Corvette engine. However, the 1969 Yenko Camaro marked the pinnacle of a true supercar.

The Change-Up

With the growing popularity of the Yenko Camaro in its first two years of production, Yenko coordinated with General Motors’ Central Office Production Order, or COPO to have the L-72 engines installed on Chevrolet’s factory assembly line.

Yenko used the COPO system to not only use the factory line for assembly but to also minimize the labor required by the dealer to modify the Camaros. In short, COPO is the process utilized by Chevrolet and other divisions of General Motors for internal orders for limited production of non-standard cars.

Orders for the 1969 Camaro called for power disc brakes, the front anti-sway bar from a Z-28, a durable 4 core radiator and a 4.10:1 Positraction rearend differential with heat treated axle shafts. A high-performance suspension, 15×7 rally wheels and a 13/16” front stabilizer shaft were also ordered.

Additionally, buyers had the option of either the M-21 four speed manual transmission or the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. In total, Yenko ordered 201 Yenko Camaros in 1969, 171 with four speed transmission and 30 with automatic transmissions.

Coupled with all the performance upgrades, the 1969 Yenko Camaro also presented visual flair. The Yenko Camaro was available in six special colors with the option of either black or white stripes.

The package included front and rear spoilers, a cowl-induction hood, exterior “Yenko 427” badges and optional twin stripes down the flanks and hood. 15-inch rally wheels were also an available option.

Yenko Super Car “sYc” lettering was available as an option for the headrests. According to the Camaro Research Group, Yenko only ordered standard black interior for the 1969 Yenko Camaro. In 1987, Yenko passed away at the age of 59 in an accidental plane crash.

Although the Yenko Camaro was only in production for three years, it has left a lasting impression on the muscle car scene that has yet to be replicated in such unique fashion. With its limited production yet ecstatic demand, the Yenko Camaro is truly a diamond in the rough. What are your thoughts on the Yenko Camaro? Leave your comments below.