1969 Yenko Camaro Prototype

1969 Yenko Camaro Prototype for Sale

“YES, IT’S THE REAL DEAL,” says Chris Zlamal of Classic Cars of Sarasota. The Florida classic car dealer has just posted a rare 1969 Yenko Camaro Prototype from their Sarasota, Florida showroom. According to the ad, this is the actual #3 Camaro produced in 1969. (Follow this link to view the ad with dozens of detailed photos.) It is known to be the one used by Don Yenko as his prototype or test car. It is thought that this Camaro was loaned to Yenko Chevrolet so that Yenko could design his trim package on the exclusive Yenko Camaro for 1969. Yenko would produce 150 of these Yenko Camaro Super Cars that year. History would elevate the Yenko Camaro for 1969 as one of the most historic muscle cars of all time. It is thought to be the first COPO code 9561 Camaro produced. Yenko would later put in an initial order of 100 of these cars.

This vehicle has been SOLD.

We’re told hundreds of thousands were spent on the Hugger Orange 1969 Yenko Camaro Super Car’s restoration and everything is 100% authentic and correct in every way possible – there’s not a single flaw! Learn more when you watch the video.

“It is one of the rarest Camaros out there,” says Chris Zlamal of Classic Cars of Sarasota. It is suggested that this COPO Camaro was first loaned to Don Yenko at Yenko Chevrolet in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania by GM to be his “mule” to work out trim and badging for the SYC super car. Yenko had convinced Vince Piggins at Chevrolet to produce a special fleet order COPO invoice so he could order 100 L72 427/425 horsepower Camaros under COPO code 9561. That’s the long story. The short take is that Yenko wanted Chevrolet to produce a factory built 427 ci V8 powered Camaro for him so he could sell more Yenko Camaros that year.

Many Camaro experts are convinced that this 1969 Yenko Camaro is the one Yenko used to promote his Yenko Camaro SYC for 1969. As the story goes, Yenko drove the 1969 Yenko Camaro prototype to Tennessee to promote itat a Chevrolet dealership there. But he was involved in an accident and the car was totaled.

GM’s L72, COPO code 9561 package included a factory 427/425 horsepower high performance engine, the ZL2  air induction hood, a V01 heavy duty radiator and heavy duty 12-bolt rearend with 4.10 gears. Most came with the M-21 or M-22 Muncie 4-speed, although some came with TH400 automotic transmissions with overdrive. The first 100 of these cars produced by Chevrolet were sent to Yenko Chevrolet. After that many COPO Camaros were also ordered by Fred Gibb Chevrolet, Berger Chevrolet and Baldwin Chevrolet. In all, 1,015 COPO Camaros are thought to have been produced.

Classic Cars of Sarasota tells us that hundreds of thousands of dollars were invested to restore this car. It comes with a binder of documents including letters from the former owner’s son, letter from GM, appraisals by Camaro experts and magazine articles featuring this car. It goes without saying that some of the top Camaro collectors in the world are going to be interested in this incredible find.