1972 YENKO VEGA

[WWJD]

Found on Trader on line

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/6/0/23793060.htm

1972 YENKO VEGA, own a piece of the legend from Don Yenko, no rust, needs some restoration, $20, 000, 505-662-9477

sold!

[Chevy454]

I hate to be nosey, but do we know the lucky new owner?

[JoeC]

It was the Jan 01 feature car. He said the new owner has a turbo for it. I didn't ask the name of new owner but it would be nice to see a Turbo Stinger Vega like Don tried to build. EPA killed it.

http://www.yenko.net/features/2001/January2001.htm

[Edited by JoeC (04-17-2002 at 07:52 PM).]

It's me, the guy with no garage space!

[JoeC]

Congratulations on your purchase. It looks like a cool car and there can't be many Yenko Vegas left. Does it still have the original paint and stripes?

JoeC, it does have the original paint, but not stripes. Owner told me that they were so badly "baked" that he put new ones on. It has the original rear with anti-hop bars . The original motor and trans come with the car, but it now sports a small block. Rob or Tom, do you guys have the list of vegas. I have found out that Vince only has a partial list. Also, how many have survived?

[JChlupsa]

Yenko. What does the Trim tag read. I have passed by a warehouse that has an old 66 Nova SS and a Vega same body style with those stripes in it. they are both up on Racks and from what i have heard the guy is not selling. I know a guy thats a good friend with the owner so he might be able to get info on the car here

[sYc]

At present time, the sYc knows the where abouts of 4-5 Yenko Vegas. As per numbers, I had not taken the time to go through my Vega info until now (two large folders). I do have numbers for several Yenko Vegas. All of them? Who knows, but I doubt it, as each time I go through the massive amount of Yenko papers I have acquired, I seem to find something new and interesting.
Some of the interesting things I have concerning the Vegas are pictures and other related info on the very first one, called the "test car". I have notes discussing the problems with the EPA in regards to installing the turbo unit on new cars. I even have an actual Schwitzer turbo unit, # syc-001, complete with an autographed picture of Don holding the unit. With the unit are all of the drawings, part numbers, installation instuctions, etc. for the unit, plus lots of information that was sent to prospective customers and dealers. The list goes on and on. I have enough info on the Vega alone to do a small book. Tom

[Chevy454]

Congrats, Dave! So, any chance of it being the very first (running!) Yenko Vega to attend a Supercar Reunion (hint, hint http://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif)? You are gonna have to start building another garage to hold all of your new toys!

[Edited by Chevy454 (04-19-2002 at 02:24 PM).]

Thanks Rob and Tom for the info. I will post the vin # as soon as I receive the title on Saturday. Maybe it is recorded in your documents. Is your turbo unit complete, and still for sale? I may know someone who wants it! HawaiianCamaro, as soon as I receive the car I will post the trim tag info.

[T Billigen]

Neat car Dave! Did not see to many of these around back then. Does anyone know how many different colors they came in?

[sYc]

According to an add from 1971, 5 colors, white, blue, grren, red and silver. Tom

[sYc]

I have the turbo unit only, but the remaining parts would not be too hard to find/build, as I have complete instructions with part numbers, and even a couple of pictures of the unit on a Vega. As per selling it, I did offer it once, but that was before I had recieved all of the other items to go with it. I may hang on to it now, in case some day I decide to acquire a Yenko Vega for myself. Tom

[Schonyenko2]

In 1972 or73, was driving through Wisconson dells, on our way to Eagle River, coming down the driveway of one of the many motels was a sunflower yellow Yenko vega, black stripes, spoilers, etc. It was coming down an incline and you could hear the turbo whining as he had it in a lower gear. I remember thinking that it looked like the little brother to the deuce I had at home. I may be old, and senile, but somewhere out there is, or was, a code 52 yellow Yenko vega.
Ken

[JChlupsa]

If i remember right there was one (yellow) in Monroe WS, around the same time frame..

[Edited by HawaiianCamaro (04-20-2002 at 01:45 AM).]

[JoeC]

Here is a picture of a yellow Yenko Stinger Vega prototype. The stripes are different then the production car. I have another picture of this car that shows a Chevy Manufacturer license plate on it. Chevy was working on turbo cars in the early seventies. They also had a prototype turbo Nova that was in a magazine article. Jerry Thompson was a Chevy engineer who drove the Yenko Stinger (Corvair) to an SCCA Championship in 1967 and he stated in an article that he remembers working on a turbo Vega at Chevy. Maybe Don was given info on the turbo Vega after Chevy decided not to market the car.

http://members.aol.com/yenkochevelles69/images/yenkovega.jpg

Tom, the vin is 1v77b2u357061 . It has the posi rear with anti-hop bars, matching drivetrain, and forged aluminum pistons. Any other signs to look for?

Tom, found anything? Ed supplied me with COPO verification and new car invoice. I just located broadcast sheet under rear seat. It actually lists the COPO order #, dealer order #, etc. I found two shop towels with bolts placed neatly in the cutouts where the anti-hop bars were attached under the rear seat. I would assume Yenkos crew put them there. Pretty neat, I thought maybe it would be something a little more special!

[sprchvy]

I distinctly remember later Yenko Vegas in a copper color. Would this be a later year, maybe '73? After reading this string I sadly recall seeing this disassembled Yenko in the garage nextdoor to my inlaws for the better part of 10 years. This was in the Oak Forest, IL area dating back in the 1980's. Anyone know where it ended up?

[Ed Cunneen]

I have original invoices on (all?) 154 of the 1972 Vega Stingers. Please let me know if any owner needs a copy for their records.

[Kurt S]

What features did the COPO add to the Vega?

[Ed Cunneen]

So far it appears there were special pistons for future turbo charger installation. That is all I know of at this time.

[JChlupsa]

? was the engine used the L11 engine that was out in 1970 also?