The Supercar Registry Bulletin Board: December '04 Feature Car

December 2004 Feature Car:

Mike Guarise's 1968 Yenko Camaro

Specs:

Engine (factory):	L-78 396ci/375hp
Engine (Yenko):	L-72 427/425hp
Transmission:	M-21 4-speed
Rear:	4.10 posi
Exterior color:	Rally Green
Interior color:	Standard Black

"The car is Yenko # 8016, and, sold new at Jay Kline Chevy to Bob Krueger. In a letter, he explained how he went to the dealership in late '68, and, had a choice of two Rallye Green, and, two "light blue", Yenkos. After test rides, he chose this car, and proceeded to street race it extensively in the Minneapolis area. He claims he was "never beaten", and, the only car that came close was a '70 Hemi Cuda that he raced on I 35, all the way up to 130 MPH. He sold the car to his brother who removed the stripes, and, Yenko badges, but, left the SS 427 emblems that Bob had installed when the car was new. His brother installed dual Holleys on a tunnel ram, and, "Grumpy lump" style hood. At that point the car was raced only on the track. Some years later, mnyenko [Earl] on this site, discovered the car sitting outside a body shop, but, was unable to come to terms with the owner. Some five years later, after the stock market slumped in 1987, Earl was able to finally buy it for the same price that had been asked before. Later, Earl sold it to a buyer who sent the car to Gene Schmidt to be restored."

"The car was extremely solid, but, needed the usual drag car quarter replacement. For some strange reason, the paint supplier used the early '68 code of British Racing Green, and, the car was painted the wrong color. The car was completed, and, shipped to the owner in California, who enjoyed the car for a while, until he took it to a show, and, was informed by an "expert" that his car was "the wrong color". Well, the stuff hit the fan, and, eventually, he was refunded $6000. to get the car repainted correctly. Unfortunately, since the car looked great, even though it was incorrect, the owner never had it repainted."

"After two more short term owners, I was told about the car being available, but, it was slated to go to auction. I was able to buy it, and,had it home withing 48 hours of being told about it. The car has now been painted the correct Rallye Green, and, it is one of the strongest running cars I own."

Left - wrong "British Racing Green", Right - correct "Rally Green"

Edited by Belair62 (01/03/05 09:08 PM)