Yenko Camaro

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The Yenko Camaro is a high-performance version of the Chevrolet Camaro built by Yenko Chevrolet in the late 1960s. Don Yenko, a racer and dealership owner, led the program with help from Chevrolet through special orders.

1967: To bypass a GM rule that limited engines to 400 cubic inches, Yenko swapped in the Corvette’s 427 cubic inch V8 into select SS Camaros. The cars got a 4.10 rear end, a tough suspension, and a 450 hp engine (L72 427). About 54 cars were made. A fiberglass “Stinger” hood and special Yenko styling added to the look, and most cars used a M21 four-speed manual.

1968: The program continued with Super Cars that started as L78 396 engines (375 hp) but were upgraded to the 427 V8 (L72) for about 450 hp. Features included a faster speedometer, a bigger front anti-roll bar, and the distinctive Yenko hood and trim. Wheels were special steel 14x6 inch with Yenko caps, and interior gauges and a door- jamb tag marked the car as a Yenko. About 64 cars were built, with fewer surviving today. Some early cars had a rear spoiler, while later ones got factory spoilers.

1969: Yenko worked with Chevrolet on COPO (Central Office Production Order) to install the L72 427 on the factory line. Cars included power disc brakes, cowl-induction hood, a 4.10 Positraction rear end, a stronger front anti-roll bar, and a heavy-duty radiator. Buyers could choose a four-speed or a Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic. About 201 Yenko COPO Camaros were sold that year (171 with four speeds, 30 automatics). Visuals included “Yenko 427” badges, side and hood stripes, and “sYc” on the headrests. The standard interior in 1969 was black.

1981: An 1981 Yenko Turbo Z was built, based on the 1981 Camaro. Don Yenko commented that horsepower had fallen due to emissions controls, but he and partners developed a turbo system that avoided turbo lag and kept emissions functioning while improving performance and fuel economy.

2007: Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists began producing a licensed 1969 Yenko Camaro again. The car, starting around a licensed number, used a GM-built 427 and kept many original options. It’s a faithful recreation priced much lower than original survivors. Only a few are known to exist.

2010s and beyond: A new Yenko Camaro based on the 2010 Camaro was shown at SEMA in 2009. The Phase I model used a supercharged GM LS3 6.2-liter V8. Phase II and Phase III were discussed and could include a 427 from the LS7 or even an LS9. In 2016, Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) announced SYC Yenko Camaros built on the sixth-generation Camaro with a custom supercharged LT1 V8, producing about 750–1,000 hp.

2024 and future plans: Yenko will offer three staged Camaros with up to about 1,050–1,500 hp. Stage 1 uses a supercharged LT4 with an aluminum block, while Stage 3 uses a GM L8T iron-block engine for up to 1,500 hp, with transmission options continuing to include both automatic and manual in earlier stages.