1969 dana / yenko cooperative effort

[ceb]

I am looking for any information that might be available on a cooperative effort between Dana Chevrolet and Yenko Chevrolet in 1969. I have had numerous conversations with Warren D. on a California built Camaro that I presently own that was ordered on the west coast as a SS 350 and converted to big block at its inception. The car has an original BV rear (410 posi -- detroit gear -- high hp -- west coast) a no date code m21 4 speed and a replaced 1973 original components LS7 with only the towanada build date on the pad. The car carries original yenko badges (pot metal showing signs of pricking and age wear and fade) and 427 hood and tail logos that are consistent with the yenko badges (fading and pitting) the 427 badges are painted black inside the outline of the numbers and show consistent age wear. The car has lightweight hood springs that would be consistent with a glass hood and wont hold the steel cowl hood up. they appear to be galvanized frames as the paint is flaked off.When I provided all the information to Warren and he graciously recalled that Don had done possibly done 3-4 cars in cooperation wth Dana as an extended effort to try and get a foothold in California. He felt the effort was halted and Dana continued on their own. The car has its original small horse tach, was an automatic originally and converted to 4 speed years ago as the pedal wear is consistent with the 77k on the odometer and is void of an in dash fuel gauge as it had the console and cluster originally ( has been removed for the 4 speed conversion ). the big springs and heavy rear were my first puzzle. Rear is date coded to car and consistent with a big block (I believe it is original and has not been removed, no alterations to the original body with regards to panels etc.... and as far as I can tell 1 repaint done awhile back as the yenko tape is dry and brittle. The car is and codes as a Dayton Yellow / Black vinyl top -- heavy suspension and big disc brakes .. I am aware of the fact and warren verified that these California "legends" would not have been offered as the ditribution point for Yenko on the East coast was Norwood Ohio. The car was definately ordered and converted and I am trying to obtain as much info as possible. I would appreciate any response.
chuck

[JoeC]

can you post a photo of the car?

Dana and Yenko worked together in 1967 and ran an ad together in late 1966 selling the Yenko Stinger and 67 Dana 427 Camaro.

They also worked together on the 1967 L88 Corvette race car that went to LeMans

I have not seen anything on Dana and Yenko working together on 68-69 Camaros as they both had their own programs going then.

[ceb]

Correction to original post -- the car has the HIGH horse tach --- the original california emmisions sticker is on the radiator support and in the bottom left corner is the hp rating for the motor --375hp along with the info on operation -- and after further looking the car was and is a 4 speed car not an automatic -- I will include a few pics of the badges and stickers and overall of the car

[ceb]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7977-1969_yenkodana_009.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7978-1969_yenkodana_019.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7979-1969_yenkodana_008.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7981-1969_yenkodana_006.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7982-1969_yenkodana_007.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7983-1969_yenkodana_015.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7984-1969_yenkodana_013.jpg

[ceb]

the emmissions sticker shows the 375hp in lower left corner.the Wheels and tires along with the chrome alternator and power steering bracket were put on by the guy I purchased it from about a year ago according to him. I dont know what was on it. Carb is a dated Holley for a 427 correct for the year. Manifold is a later edelbrock. the cars has an old 427 label on the cleaner lid with a 460hp older hp label that is pulling up. the LS7 is a 460hp motor so I think I assume switched at that time. From what I have read the car would have had a curved neck radiator if done in Pa. but this is a heavy service GM radiator and a west coast car.

[GTO_DON]

That sticker on the rad support is a repro.

[ceb]

Thank you
What would the originals look like? yenko sticker? I think the emissions is original as the engine bay has not been redone to my knowledge. the rad supports original paint is flaking and the sticker is delaminating

[x77-69z28]

The PTB stamps are not original. Originals are ink stamped, also those look too big. Since the inside fender braces are painted black, I would say the engine compartment has been repainted. Can you post a pic of the trim tag? Very cool car, but not sure it is as unrestored as you were led to believe.

[ceb]

here are pics of the tach and speedo -- I will take a pic of trim tag -- appreciate the help http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7985-1969_tach_002.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7987-1969_tach_003.jpg

[ceb]

The owner never tried to pass this car off to me for anything more that he thought it was and that was a old clone of a yenko. The oddities of the car were interesting and my investigating. I cant say for sure on the engine bay but there is alot of paint crazing and flaking. The car has been repainted at one time but done along time ago. Like I said I am making no claims just seeking info.

[ceb]

[ceb]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7989-ttag_002.jpg

[ceb]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-14238-7990-ttag_005.jpg

[ceb]

backed the car back out for pics -- better quality photos --
The original interior is present in the car and in nice condition -- a small seperation on one headrest -- I am going to remove the back seat to see if there is a buildsheet or paperwork -- the car has a black comfort weave interior

[GTO_DON]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ceb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thank you
What would the originals look like? yenko sticker? I think the emissions is original as the engine bay has not been redone to my knowledge. the rad supports original paint is flaking and the sticker is delaminating </div></div>The original was made out of a different paper and they bubble and turn yellow when old. Cool looking car but if I was a betting man I'd say the car is exactly what the guy told you he sold you.

[Kurt S]

What's the date on the axle?
How many fuel lines?

[Charley Lillard]

Also I don't think the big block tachs went to 8K, fan shroud is a replacement.

[markus37]

I will make a brief addition to this...In researching my next Yenko book..... I uncovered documents and Don's handwritten notes about a planned 1969 West Coast build location. Details in the book. Am behind on production but about ready to print soon.

[jimbo]

If it was ordered as an SS350, why would it have a 375 hp emission label and a rear end consistent to a big block?

Looks like a small block heater box.

Firewall has been painted. Brake booster, master, wiper motor and even the ballast resistor have been painted over.

[William]

Why would Yenko or Dana convert an SS350? By March 1969 Yenko was on the hook for several hundred COPO 9561 Camaros. He could have easily had one shipped to DANA for less than it cost to convert one. How is a BV 4.10 axle ‘consistent with a big block’ when thousands of Z/28s were built with one? I spent 15 years involved with a Camaro parts business; repro Yenko emblems were available over 25 years ago. Also during that time we sold lots of original parts. YH &amp; XT wheels, 837 alternators, BU &amp; BV axles [2 BEs] DZ engines all installed on other cars. The presence of an original dated part on a restoration does not mean it was born there. All they are is “correct.”

The tach and dated axle leads me to speculate it may have been a Z/28 someone stuffed a 427 in. Long shot; check the top of the fuel tank for a broadcast copy.

I’m with GTO Don-I believe it is exactly what you were told-a clone.

[ceb]

Thanks to everyone for the information.