69 Nova Big Blocks

[sYc]

Ron; Now to your question. Because of where it was sold(Yenko) and who built/installed the 427(Yenko mechanic), the sYc classifies Brian's car as a 427 Yenko Nova. Not in the same sense as some of the others, which were 427 cars from the get go, but still a supercar. FYI, the list of known 1969 Yenko Novas includes at least one, and maybe two other 396 cars. One was bought with the original 396 intact, but sporting a 3 deuce carb set up. My source for much of this, and other valuable information, told me that many of the Novas in 1969 were "very unusual" in the way Yenko built them. Tom

[sixtiesmuscle]

Are you saying there are documents showing the building & installation of the 427 AT Yenko, or, just the recollection of an ex mechanic who installed a 427 over a year later at his house? It's a beautiful car, and, it's true, documented heritage deserves to be known.

[sYc]

Mike, even as we speak, research is being done to unravel "the rest of the story". There is still much to learn. But, even though there is not concrete evidence (paperwork) at this time on the 427 swap, I fell very confident in the story. The mechanic who did the work is not just your every day Yenko employee. At one time or another, he was involved in almost all aspects of Yenko Hi-perforance. In fact, he still has quite a bit of information relating to other Yenko Novas, as well as other cars, including most 1967 Yenkos. At this point, the car has been documented in the same manner as several of the Nickey cars, listening to some one who was there. I think you can relate to that. Tom

[sixtiesmuscle]

Maybe the official announcement should have waited until "the rest of the story " was known. He must have at least stated where & when the coversion to a 427 was made. My point on that was that there is a big difference if it was converted at Yenko vs. being done elsewhere. I have no problem with cars documented by a mechanic who actually worked on the cars, and, can remember a specific car's history. As we've heard so many times on this site, "let's see the documentation" before an official statement is made. I don't have a dog in this fight, and, would love to see more Yenko Novas uncovered, however, I think we have to hold the cars owned by all members to the same high standard of verification before they are given official sYc verification. In my opinion, a written affidavit with the specifics on a car is the least you can expect, and, then maybe we can agree on granting it an asterisk designation.

[copolocater]

I cannot at this time believe this situation is taking place.We just had our car litterally disqualified on this site because Nancy wasn't considered capable of voicing her opinion.I've talked to Warren D. on Brians car and he specificlly told me it was a 396 car not a 427.Is he changing that stance.If he is what changed his mind.He had the documentation.Tom to verify this car by hearsay is unconsionable.I am befudled.you feel comforatable.I feel comforatable at this point in time to say we have what we thought we had.

[sYc]

Mike; A written affidavit is in the works. As per the mechanic, he was employed by Yenko at the time. His duties included running Don's race team. As per an asterick, I guess that means that any converted car that does not have original documentation verifing the engine swap should carry an asterick. That means that most early Yenkos and your beloved Nickey cars will be assigned an *. Tom

[sYc]

Tim; As per Brian's car, Warren told me it was a 427 car. I had no reason to doubt it, as I was not at Yenko in 1969-70. If he decides to go another direction and say it was always a 396 car, then I will not question it. I will list it as such. As per your car, the same thing happened. I had known about the car for a couple of years and had heard no one say it was a DH car. When you quoted Nancy as saying it was, I simply did some more research, including a call to her. She told me on the phone that she did not know whose car it was. Now, the same as I said about Warren, if Nancy, or one of a select few experts whose opinions I value, say they believe it to be a DH car, it will be noted as such by the sYc.

In closing, you, Mike or anyone for that matter, are welcome to your opinions. I AM NOT AN EXPERT! Nor have I ever said that the sYc was the absolute authority when it comes to supercars. I simply have been lucky enough to have come in contact with a lot of very interesting people who were a part of supercar history. These folks are my heros, and I feel blessed that they will take the time to share lives with me, past and present. Tom

[sixtiesmuscle]

No problem with an asterisk as far as I'm concerned. I still would like to know WHERE it was converted. You keep dancing around that simple question. "Employed by Yenko"? Who cares??
Let me say that Brian's car is a really neat piece no matter what. Let the notorized facts speak for themselves. My objection is to the sYc declaring this car to be a 427 Yenko Nova based on hearsay. Putting the stamp on a car based on what you have disclosed is inappropriate,and, premature. Of course that's just MY opinion. I know you are offended when the subject turns to the monetary aspects of our hobby, but, consider the affect your official edict would have on this one car. From 50 to 250 with the stroke of a key?

I am all for anyone who is fortunate to experience a windfall discovery. I hope it is what you have declared. But since you declared it based on what facts were available, it deserves to be questioned, no matter who you are. If the solid proof usually expected on this site is forthcoming that creates a consensus that this car is truly "a 427 Yenko Nova", not just a Nova sold at Yenko that later had a 427 installed somewhere at sometime, I will apologize until I'm blue in the face.

[copolocater]

Tom if it is Warren who is documenting Brians car.I'm saying wrong.I spoke to Warren and can tell you the documentation he has.I have a phone record of the day the phone call was made.I can even tell you the color Brians car was originally.All from Warren.He spoke of the car and its history in detail.As I stated before I asked the question as to the 427 conversion and his answer was no.He can state if he does that he doesn't know me but he does.I have sent a few people to purchase their original paperwork including Mr. Cliff Ernst.I am not in any way destroying the reputation of Warren but in this case somebodys wrong.The people on this board know my reputation and I am in no means perfect but in this situation I am adamit.

[sYc]

Mike; First of all, I am flattered, but find it hard to believe that my opinion can influence the price of a supercar 5 fold. To me, that is set by the buying public. Sort of like the Douglass cars. Second of all, I do not know where the car was converted. I do know for a fact that the car was sold new at Yenko and have no reason to believe that Warren did not install a 427 in the car, at a later date. Once again, where? I do not know, maybe at his shop, maybe at one of Yenko's shops? Now, to me listing the car as a 427 Yenko Nova. I will tell you, and the rest of the board, what I told Brian, which is how I view the car. If you, or anyone else disagrees, that is fine, I respect your opinion. To me, it is a 427 Yenko Nova, but with a notation, (maybe *) stating that the car was sold new as a L-78, special order paint car. Later is recieved a L-88 427, installed by a Yenko mechanic. No more, no less. As I posted earlier, there is a Nova listed on "the list" that no one has challenged (yet) that came with the original 396, but with 3 deuces. I consider it a supercar as well, with a notation like Brian's. ONCE AGAIN, JUST MY OPINION. Tom