Presented by Barrett-Jackson – One of America’s winningest racing drivers, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-based Chevy dealer Don Yenko stoked the 1960s “supercar wars” with his wild 427-powered Super Camaro soon after Chevy’s new pony car debuted for 1967. Upgraded with transplanted RPO L72 427ci engines and supporting components, the Yenko Super Camaro ruled the street while Dick Harrell’s Yenko-sponsored racing cars earned fans nationwide. Bearing Yenko serial number YS-725, this 1967 Yenko Super Camaro 427/450 – denoting 427 cubes and 450hp – began as a rare (one of 1,138 built) L78 375hp, 396ci car equipped with a Muncie M21 close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission, finished in Code EE Deepwater Blue Poly paint with Code 760-Z Black Standard Bucket Seats. Options included an A02 tinted windshield, G80 posi-traction rear axle with 3.73 ratio, J52 front disc brakes, N34 Teakwood steering wheel, U63 AM radio, and Z23 special interior group.
Following shipment to Yenko Chevrolet, it was upgraded to Super Camaro 450 standard for $677.27, including replacement of the 396ci short-block for an L72 427ci unit, metallic brakes, heavy-duty clutch and pressure plate, high-capacity cooling system, and suspension upgrades. Other items included a Stewart-Warner tachometer and instrument package, a fiberglass hood, hood pins and added “427” emblems. Further Yenko options included Traction Master traction bars, tuned headers, scattershield and special spark-plug wires. According to an appraisal by Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish dated August 31, 2021, this car was completed at Yenko Chevrolet on July 18, 1967, and was one of five shipped on July 27, 1967, to Jay Kline Chevrolet in Minneapolis. According to a letter on file, original owner George Fleury of Fridley, MN, eventually sold the Camaro on November 3, 1990, to Thomas Gindorff at 17,121 stated miles. At that time, the car was verified by Yenko Expert Vince Emme and documented one of 54 original 1967 Yenko Super Camaros in his records.
Subsequent owner/collectors include Gary Holub and Irwin Kroiz. Listed in the Yenko Supercar Registry, YS-725 continues to benefit from an older photo-documented restoration and, according to McNeish, retains the original VIN plate and hidden VIN cowl stamping. Documents include the detailed MacNeish appraisal, COPO Connection and Camaro Hi-Performance LLC Certificates of Authenticity, copies of the Yenko conversion and dealer invoices, a copy of the original shipping record, an NCRS Shipping Data Report and letter from the original owner. Additionally, original Yenko mechanic Warren Dernoshek inspected and affirmed this Yenko’s authenticity. Simply put, this first-year Yenko Super Camaro 450 is pure American Supercar royalty.
