The Very Model: 1968 Yenko Camaro
- Tory DiBlasi
- Dec 5, 2017
- 3 min read
The 1968 Yenko Camaro represents the spark in muscle car mods that began 50 years ago. Don Yenko started building Yenko Super Camaros at his self-named Yenko Chevrolet Dealership in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania under the name Yenko Sports Cars. Starting with the 1967 model, Don Yenko ordered some very special L-78 Camaro Super Sports that were manufactured at the Norwood, Ohio Assembly Plant. The COPO 9737 Sports Car Conversion Option was ordered on these cars. This option included a 140 mph speedometer, larger carburetor, and heavy duty suspension. The heavy duty suspension included heavy duty front springs, multi-leaf rear springs, matching shock absorbers and a massive 1 1/8’ sway bar to prevent body roll and improve handling. This elements were crucial because these parts are needed to harness the car's power. Front disc brakes were another factory option added to the cars, which were important to handle the Super Camaro's acceleration from 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds. These specially ordered Camaros were modified into Yenko Super Camaros.
Source: Kendra Sommer
The L-78 was the top of the line 396 with a solid cam and lifter set, but that didn't stop Yenko from pushing the design further. A Chevrolet Corvette L-72 427 short block was used to replace the L-78 396 short block. The L-78 396 and L-72 427 shared the same solid camshaft and lifter set. The 396 L-78 cylinder heads, part number 3919840, were removed from the L-78 and installed on the L-72. The rectangular port, closed chamber cylinder heads were cast with massive ports and were assembled with the larger 2.19 intake and 1.88 exhaust valves. The closed chamber cylinders had smaller combustion chambers which increased compression ratio. The L-78 aluminum intake and Holley 4-barrel carburetor were used. When the conversion was complete, Don Yenko had a brand new L-78 Short Block in stock to re-sell.
The Yenko Super Camaro was available with very strong transmissions. The Muncie M-21 Close Ratio Four Speed was the manual option and the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 was the automatic option, which both became became iconic transmissions. They were tested over time and known for their durability, longevity, and superior performance. Horsepower ratings were 450 for the M-21 and 410 for the Turbo 400. The Saginaw 12 Bolt with a cast iron center and steel axle tubes were used for the rear differential. All were equipped with an Eaton Posi Unit. The standard differential ratio was 3.73:1 for the 4 Speed and 3.31:1 for the Automatic. Other ratios were optional; choices were 3.55:1, 4.10:1, 4.56:1 and 4.88:1. These ratios were available from the factory or swapped at Yenko to tailor each build for their customers.
Instrumentation was upgraded with a Stewart Warner Tachometer and auxiliary gauges. traction bars, and headers. Unique Yenko 427 badging was added to the conversions: Yenko emblems were added to the front fenders, rear body panel and front grille. The 427 emblems were added to the front fenders and rear body panel. A popular option for the clutch was the L88 clutch used in the Corvette. Firestone Wide Ovals and Pontiac Rally II 14x7 Rims with special Yenko center caps were part of the package.
Out of the 64 1968 Yenko Camaros built, only 11 were equipped with the Rally Sport option which featured hide-away headlights, rear backup lights relocated to under the rear bumper, and deluxe rally sport moldings. Yenko also installed a very unique twin-scoop fiberglass hood that was pinned to the radiator support. No other Camaros featured any of these options, making them the leaders in the muscle car world.
At the time, GM forbade the installation of any engine larger than 400 cubic inches in any non Corvette Chevrolet vehicle that was smaller than full-size. The Regular Production Order (RPO) codes that Don Yenko used for his Super Camaros were the foundation for the COPO 9650 and 9651 for the 1969 Factory 427 Camaro, authorized by Chevrolet Product Manager Vince Piggins. This was a loophole around GM’s performance limits placed on Chevrolet, one that Yenko crafted around. It's clear to see that Don Yenko was a pioneer who changed the supercar market with his foresight and ingenuity.
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