Chevy454
Reged: 03/20/00
Posts: 10284
Loc: Alton, MO, USA
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October 2006 Feature Car: James and Keith Shockley's 1969 Yenko Camaro 
| Engine: | 427/425hp | | Trans: | 4-speed | | Rear: | 4.10 posi | | Exterior color: | Rally green | | Interior color: | Standard black | | Options (factory): | COPO 9561, COPO 9737, AM radio |
"Rob, here is a little info I hope it helps.
My dad had known of the car in our hometown for more than 25 yrs before we had purchased it. The car had been old race car and had many owners. We purchased the car in 1985 and at that time I didn’t know what a Yenko Camaro was. The car was a basket case and showed some markings on it to have been a Yenko. After I removed the interior I had found a shipping bill from Yenko Chevrolet to Van Chevrolet. Still at that stage in my life it was just a car to me. I did the body work and repaired all the damage that was done by the ford tool (the big hammer) to make room for big tires got the car painted and thought we ready. That was when Dad had verified that the car was a true Yenko. Our next decision was to do a full restoration. I would work on the car for awhile, get aggravated cover the car and it might set for months covered up. The whole time dad was hitting the swap meets and talking to people and rounding parts the we needed. I would get the itch and start in on it again. This happened over and over for years and I new if I could just get maybe a month or so where I could just work on the car that I could get it finished. Well it just so happened that where I worked we went on strike and that was all I needed. I worked solid for almost a month, 12-16 hr days (and a lot of A-B products) and at 4:00am. 0n the morning of the 2001 Super Car Reunion I had finished the car. Dad came over that morning with the trailer and we still had to install the tie downs in the trailer. Well after a couple of hours we had him loaded up and ready to go. I recall that he showed up late but at least he made it and had I known that he would get so much enjoyment out of this car I should have gotten off of my butt and finished it a lot sooner, well I don’t think any car is ever finished. This car has won lots, and lots of car shows (best of shows, etc.) and has even been featured in "Super Chevy". Dad has just recently found and purchased the original block out of the car and I guess it will be going in this winter.
In closing all I can say is if you have one of these cars or any muscle car just enjoy them because I’m still in aw at every reunion or car show when there are these types of cars there, it had to be so cool to be there in the day when you could buy them or at least be around them, something that my generation or generations to come will never know about."
[Write-up courtesy of Keith Shockley, pictures courtesy of MW Classic, Inc]






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ORIGLS6
Reged: 10/02/02
Posts: 3681
Loc: The tar pits.
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What a great car, and a great family to boot. I remember the car coming in the building that Saturday; it's first time out in public. (Actually, you were runnin' a little late, eh? ) Congrats guys! That's an awesome piece!
-------------------- Geezers; We Get It.
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Chevy454
Reged: 03/20/00
Posts: 10284
Loc: Alton, MO, USA
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I agree totally, Dennis...them's good people, and a great car...
-------------------- Rob Clary
'69 Yenko Camaro - L72, THM400, 4.56
Low 12s @ 117+ Pure Stock, on F70-15 Polyglass
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SS427
Reged: 07/26/01
Posts: 3687
Loc: currently in limbo
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Ditto on the car and family. I love that paint scheme in the garage as well. Very nice!  Rick
-------------------- Rick Nelson LS-6 Chevelle Registry
Musclecar Restoration and Design
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Xplantdad
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 14036
Loc: Not where you think I am!
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Awesome story and pics. Thanks for sharing!
-------------------- Bruce
Choose Life-Donate!
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sYc
Reged: 03/20/00
Posts: 6261
Loc: Alton, MO, USA
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Quote:
.... I remember the car coming in the building that Saturday; it's first time out in public. (Actually, you were runnin' a little late, eh? )
Another SCR Kodak moment.
-------------------- Tom Clary
Yenko Sportscar Club
http://www.yenko.net
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396L35
old hand
Reged: 01/05/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Herculaneum, MO
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I am happy to see you finally made it as the feature car of the month Jim.... Now lets work on your health buddy because we want you around for a long time... "Your adopted son Mark"
-------------------- Mark
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bkhpah
Reged: 03/30/00
Posts: 3979
Loc: Latrobe, PA
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I also remember the 'LATE" arrival. Good to see this car as feature car fo the month...Nice car, even nicer people..BKH
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47Hammer
Reged: 04/17/05
Posts: 756
Loc: SoCal. USA
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What a cool story and a great looking car.
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hvychev
Reged: 06/05/02
Posts: 3122
Loc: Berwyn, IL
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Very cool car! Great color too!
-------------------- Frank Magallon
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396L35
old hand
Reged: 01/05/03
Posts: 1065
Loc: Herculaneum, MO
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Quote:
Very cool car! Great color too!
And dont forget the original block that we found last Winter.....
-------------------- Mark
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J_D
addict
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 421
Loc: Central Iowa (Des Moines area)
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I agree with all the comments above............great car..........great folks. BEST OF SHOW winner year before last at our car show, HAWKEYE CAMARO-FEST. Rich Gregory's Yenko was "Best of Show" winner at this years HAWKEYE CAMARO-FEST.
-------------------- J.D. Le Blanc
1997 30th Anniversary Camaro SS #742/2091
2002 Camaro ZL1 #17 Phase II (475HP)
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Baldy
stranger
Reged: 10/17/02
Posts: 27
Loc: St. Charles, Mo. 63303
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I would to thank MW Classic inc for the pictures of our car. They are great people,and do a great job.They are in Wentzville, Mo. phone number is 636-248-6233 Jim & Keith Shockley
-------------------- Baldy Shockley
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AutoInsane
addict
Reged: 11/24/01
Posts: 539
Loc: Ft Lauderdale/ Hoboken NJ USA
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I would rebuild the original engine and keep it on a stand in the garage with the car. How cool would it be to have a Yenko and an original engine sitting there for all to see! You could always put it in.
Beautiful car!!! Thank you for letting us drool over it!
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enio45
Reged: 10/08/02
Posts: 562
Loc: Gilbert, AZ
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Very nice car and excellent job on the resto...and the orig block found later...how often can that happen...really nice
-------------------- Ed M
68 COPO Camaro 9737 non-converted yenko
68 Z/28 Camaro w/build sheet and protecto
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MWCLASSIC
novice
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 31
Loc: NEW YORK
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It was a pleasure to have Jim and Keith's incredible Yenko to be the first car to be photographed in our brand new photo studio. They are awesome people. Thank you again Jim and Keith. JIM (MWCLASSIC INC)
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Tim Penton
enthusiast
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 229
Loc: Hammond, La.
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Good story!
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mc25t190
Reged: 11/01/01
Posts: 1016
Loc: Greensboro, NC,27408
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Gorgeous!
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DarrenX33
Reged: 09/25/02
Posts: 4127
Loc: @#$%!
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Very nice gesture.
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JoeG
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/29/03
Posts: 2877
Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.
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Guess I missed this beauty the first time around.....Pretty,---Real Pretty!!..........
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boxvette
newbie
Reged: 02/17/08
Posts: 7
Loc: ohio
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THE LATE 60'S WAS A FUN TIME... I WAS 15WORKING IN A CHEVY DEALER IN OHIO. I WAS A CLEAN GUY FOR THEYS CAR BACK THEN. I DROVE THE A 427 CAMARO A BLOCK OR TO TO PUT A FEW GALLONS OF GAS IN IT FOR DELIVERY. YA THOSE WERE FUN TIMES.
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P.J.
old hand
Reged: 05/09/04
Posts: 881
Loc: Ontario Canada
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Wow real nice car and history. I think that the history of a car adds so much more to this beautiful car. PJ
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