Yenko Stingers at Nickey

[Stefano]

I am aware that Don Yenko was quoted, in an interview as stating that Nickey Chevrolet did sell Yenkos. Could he have been referring to Corvair Stingers?

http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/WeKnowJack/CorvarYenko.htm

[Stefano]

Some of the Nickey Technicians had told me that Dickie Harrell had done some moon lighting for Span Inc/Yenko Sports Cars, Inc and converted some of the advanced Stages, II and III for Don While he was working with Nickey Chevrolet.

Do any of you Stinger/Historians have any insight on this info?

[Yenko117]

I had not heard this before, but it's very possible. I'll check with Charlie Doerge and Mark Gillespie and see if they can provide some info, then report back.

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

Like Mike, I have never heard of this either.

[Stefano]

I had started a couple of other Stinger/COPO/Nickey Threads.

Bill Thomas/ Stinger (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/48213/an/0/page/10#Post48213)

Nickey Sold Yenko Stingers? (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=nickey&Number=18437&page= 12&fpart=1)

[Stefano]

"TRUE STORY: Summer, 1965: I am sitting in my cememt block office directly to the right of Al Seelig's office. We were in the corner of the enclosed service lane facility where customers drove in for service. I think there were 4 lanes - total. Suddenly I heard a loud Corvair. It stopped right in front of my glass window. Seelig's office had a 4 x 8 plate glass window. My window was 4x4. Seelig is not in his office. It's a white Corvair with blue stripes. A gorgeous blonde gets out, sees that Mr. Seelig is not there, then opens my door and asks his whereabouts. It was Donna Mae Mims. I was somewhat into road racing as my Dad bought his new '61 Vette in 12/60 from Dick Doane in E. Dundee. He also owned Meadowdale Int'l Raceway. I used to go there and take Brownie camera photos of the Scarabs, etc in 1959-60 on my 500 cc Zundapp. I lived in Wonder Lake then - maybe 25 miles north. Doane also had one of the 5 '63 Grand Sport Corvettes. He was buddies with Duntov. I learned about Rochester FI from him. Anyway, Donna Mae Mims was wearing a white jump suit. She looked like she could have been Linda Vaughn's sister (Linda lives 2 minutes away from where I am right now). I stood up as she sat down in my one visitor chair. She was there to hype the Yenko Stinger to ol' Al. Being the Nickey GM, Seelig was always seemingly "stressed" - or that was the face he chose to wear. I'd say in 3-4 minutes, he came back from the service area and front offices. I could see him coming. He saw the Corvair and the back of Donna Mae's head and he suddenly turned into a real charming guy. He opened my door and laid on a huge smile and blah-blah-blah. I could have been on fire and he still would not have noticed me. Donna thanked me as she was quickly escorted by Al into his office. They were there all afternoon then left for dinner, etc. I never saw her again." by Doug Marion.

[Dog427435]

Donna Mae Mims (http://www.steeltownvette.com/Hall%20of%20Fame/Mims.htm)

[Stefano]

Cool Pics!

This document Just sold on ebay.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/StefanoBimbi/Donna%20Mea%20Mimms/1965StingerReleaseDocument1.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/StefanoBimbi/Donna%20Mea%20Mimms/1965StingerReleaseDocument2.jpg

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

Those two pieces of paper brought $207.50. I was not home or I would have tossed a bid in at the end.

[sixtiesmuscle]

I just received my Hemmings Muscle Machines. On page 68 there is a brief history of Don Yenko's racing & Supercar exploits. The one dealer in the Stinger program that is mentioned by name is NICKEY. After all these years, it's interesting how so many facts are coming to light about the Nickey/Yenko Stinger connection. Cool stuff.

[JoeC]

[ QUOTE ]
"TRUE STORY: Summer, 1965: I am sitting in my cememt block office directly to the right of Al Seelig's office. We were in the corner of the enclosed service lane facility where customers drove in for service. I think there were 4 lanes - total. Suddenly I heard a loud Corvair. It stopped right in front of my glass window. Seelig's office had a 4 x 8 plate glass window. My window was 4x4. Seelig is not in his office. It's a white Corvair with blue stripes. A gorgeous blonde gets out, sees that Mr. Seelig is not there, then opens my door and asks his whereabouts. It was Donna Mae Mims. I was somewhat into road racing as my Dad bought his new '61 Vette in 12/60 from Dick Doane in E. Dundee. He also owned Meadowdale Int'l Raceway. I used to go there and take Brownie camera photos of the Scarabs, etc in 1959-60 on my 500 cc Zundapp. I lived in Wonder Lake then - maybe 25 miles north. Doane also had one of the 5 '63 Grand Sport Corvettes. He was buddies with Duntov. I learned about Rochester FI from him. Anyway, Donna Mae Mims was wearing a white jump suit. She looked like she could have been Linda Vaughn's sister (Linda lives 2 minutes away from where I am right now). I stood up as she sat down in my one visitor chair. She was there to hype the Yenko Stinger to ol' Al. Being the Nickey GM, Seelig was always seemingly "stressed" - or that was the face he chose to wear. I'd say in 3-4 minutes, he came back from the service area and front offices. I could see him coming. He saw the Corvair and the back of Donna Mae's head and he suddenly turned into a real charming guy. He opened my door and laid on a huge smile and blah-blah-blah. I could have been on fire and he still would not have noticed me. Donna thanked me as she was quickly escorted by Al into his office. They were there all afternoon then left for dinner, etc. I never saw her again." by Doug Marion.

[/ QUOTE ]

The summer 1965 does not sound right. The Stingers were built in Dec 1965 as they were 1966 models. I recall an article by Donna Mae where she said she spent most of her Dec 65 holidays driving a Stinger around to show it to some dealers.
Don and the gang brought a Stinger to Daytona in early 1966 for a press promo that is documented in a nice Corvair magazine article with great pictures including a Stinger on the beach.