Yenko 427 Nova vs. Yenko Deuce...

[markinnaples]

I have to admit I don't know much about the two versions of Nova's put out by Yenko, other than the Deuce had an LT-1 and the other had a 427. I am guessing that the 427's were somewhat rarer, but that's just a guess. Anyone want to school me on them? I bet both were a handful in such a light body, but the 427 had to be flat out scary.

[mssl72]

It seems I remember hearing that Don Yenko said something like, I shouldn't have made that one, it's a little much. That was in reference to the 427 car. I'm sure somebody here knows the exact words.

[Bill Rose]

Nothing against Mr Yenko, but there's never too much in my opinion.

[rcc]

Didn't Don suggest that the 427 Nova was something like death on wheels?

Rick

[bbbentley]

Educating myself as well. How would the Nova be any different than a Camaro (69 427). Both weigh within a 100-200 lbs of each other I believe?

[Salvatore]

correct James. Not much difference in my opinion. A,B and C/Stock is pretty much dominated by the camaro over the nova.

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mssl72</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It seems I remember hearing that Don Yenko said something like, I shouldn't have made that one, it's a little much. That was in reference to the 427 car. I'm sure somebody here knows the exact words. </div></div>

From the book &quot;Yenko&quot; by Bob McClurg -- Don Yenko admitted that perhaps he was pushing the envelope with this combination, admitting that these cars were &quot;barely legal at best&quot;. TAZ

[Salvatore]

still not sure why any different then a 427 camaro. Maybe saying that made them sell better?

[Chick_Maggot]

I think the Deuces were COPO cars with an LT1 installed on the assembly line, while the 427 cars actually left the factory with a 396 (for liability reasons) and had the L72 transplanted into them when they reached the Yenko shop. Thought I read that some years ago.

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chick_Maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the Deuces were COPO cars with an LT1 installed on the assembly line, while the 427 cars actually left the factory with a 396 (for liability reasons) and had the L72 transplanted into them when they reached the Yenko shop. Thought I read that some years ago. </div></div>

You are correct...the 1970 COPO Deuce came from Chevy with the LT-1 and other COPO specific options. The 1969 427 cars were factory L78's converted by Yenko at his shop.

I agree with Sammy, there is very little difference power to weight between the Camaro and Nova. I have always thought the Nova had an advantage for weight transfer since there was a little more weight on the rear on the car. Either way a light car with that much horsepower is a handful.

wilma

[69hurstSC]

This.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have always thought the Nova had an advantage for weight transfer since there was a little more weight on the rear on the car.
wilma </div></div>

[novadude]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69hurstSC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have always thought the Nova had an advantage for weight transfer since there was a little more weight on the rear on the car.
wilma </div></div> </div></div>

I think Grumpy had even said this (per the bio book someone wrote). The Nova wsa better for Drag Racing, but the Chevy guys wanted him to run Camaros for PR reasons. He said the long nose on the Camaro wasn't exactly the hot set-up, and that the overhang behind the wheels on the Nova made it a better drag chassis.

[markinnaples]

Thanks for the info. What are the production numbers of each, 427 Novas vs. Deuce Novas?

[mockingbird812]

36ish for '69s
177 (counting 2 that did not go thru YENKO dealership) for '70

[markinnaples]

Thanks Sam. Anyone on here have the 427 ones?

[WILMASBOYL78]

I think Tom Clary had a Lemans Blue 69 427 car awhile back...not sure where that ended up. I have never seen another one except in ads or photos...

wilma

[61 vert]

Of the reported 36 427 cars it has never been made clear to me how many were converted. I thought about half.

[61 vert]

Tom sold his last year and there is on in Kevin Suydam's collection I believe, and there is one here in Iowa.

[69hurstSC]

Yep, Kevin still has his. What about the Red Vinyl top car that was in collection in Iowa? I belive that fella also owned one color each of the 69 Yenko Camaros.

[Chick_Maggot]

Anyone know anything about that silver LT1 car without the Yenko stripes? I think it was a Canadian car.

[John Brown]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chick_Maggot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone know anything about that silver LT1 car without the Yenko stripes? I think it was a Canadian car. </div></div>

Belonged to Pete Simpson, out of Canada. Still in the family as far as I know.

[mockingbird812]

It's one of two COPO '70 Novas that was NOT converted by YENKO.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

The other one was Forest Green, and is gone.

[69hurstSC]

Where is this car at now?

http://i66.tinypic.com/20f9f7s.jpg

[COPO_Anders]

I believe I read some thread on here in which someone said that only four of the 1969 427 Novas had documentation about being converted from 396 to 427 cars. Some cars were definitely sold with the 396, so all of them were not converted.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The other one was Forest Green, and is gone.</div></div>

So is it 100%, no questions, gospel, written in stone, incontrovertible, iron clad, beyond debate that only 2 non-Deuce LT-1's made it out the door?

[Schonyenko2]

I believe there was some discussion on whether this car was ever converted, followed by some litigation. Don't know the outcome, or who owns it now.

Iron clad guarantee that no other COPO Novas were produced? Never say never, but document, and verify. No more that I've heard of have passed that criteria.

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schonyenko2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe there was some discussion on whether this car was ever converted, followed by some litigation. Don't know the outcome, or who owns it now.

Iron clad guarantee that no other COPO Novas were produced? Never say never, but document, and verify. No more that I've heard of have passed that criteria.</div></div>

Yep -- &quot;never say never&quot; will bite ya' in the south end sometimes ... TAZ

[old5.0]

A friend's father-in-law bought a 70 Nova from Van-T in Topeka, lightly used in 71. White, black top and guts, LT-1 4-speed 4.10 posi. Could have been a swap, but he swears it looked factory. Van-T sold lots of COPO's. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Ok, does he have documents to verify, and drive line component nbrs. Especially the rear end stamp. Should have the F41 suspension package with swaybar if it's set up like a deuce. He may well have what he says, but we go back to the iron clad documentation.

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schonyenko2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok, does he have documents to verify, and drive line component nbrs. Especially the rear end stamp. Should have the F41 suspension package with swaybar if it's set up like a deuce. He may well have what he says, but we go back to the iron clad documentation. </div></div>

Nope, car is long gone. He traded it off for a new truck in 76 when he started his plumbing business. Only an interesting story at this point, but it makes me curious.