Don Yenko’s modified Chevrolet Camaros are among the muscle cars that collectors covet the most. One of these rare coupes recently topped Mecum Auctions’ sale in Portland, Oregon, by selling for an impressive $395,000.
This 1968 Yenko Camaro is one of 64 made that year, and according to Mecum just 20 of them are still on the road. It’s in a gorgeous shade of Fathom Blue with white accents and a black interior. The real jewel is under the hood, though. General Motors’ L72 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 pumps out 425 horsepower (317 kilowatts) and routes with a four-speed manual. At the back, a 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 gearing and GM’s Positraction limited-slip differential gets the ample power to the ground. Power disc brakes help when it’s time to haul down this beast.
According to Mecum, this is an early rear-spoiler-only car. It also has Yenko’s fiberglass hood. The coupe received a rotisserie restoration, and the work even earned a Gold Award at the Camaro Nationals. All the effort makes for an absolutely beautiful classic muscle machine.
Yenko’s Camaros were special because he built the muscle cars that Chevy didn’t offer from the factory. Part of this strategy included using GM’s Central Office Production Order system to get the L72 V8 into the car, which weren’t widely available to buyers. In total, Yenko built 201 of these special vehicles from the 1967 to 1969 model years.
Bringing in $395,000 is a strong result for a Yenko Camaro. For example, Mecum auctioned a 1969 example for $330,000 in May 2017, according to Sports Car Digest. In addition, the auction house sold a 1968 car for $335,000 November 2016. Two units from 1969 went for $260,000 and $225,000 respectively in May 2016.
Source: Mecum Auctions
Gallery: 1968 Yenko Camaro Auction
MECUM’S COLLECTOR-CAR AUCTION IN PORTLAND ACHIEVES $7.9 MILLION
21/06/17
Second-annual event topped by the sale of a 1968 Yenko Camaro
WALWORTH, Wis. – June 21, 2017 – Mecum Auctions was in Portland this past weekend with an impressive lineup of 461 classic and collector cars. The two-day auction at the Portland Expo Center achieved $7.9 million in overall sales totals topped by a 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Lot S125) that brought $395,000.
The well-documented, four-speed Yenko certainly stole the show in its intense blue-on-black color combination and award-winning condition, but a rare 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 (Lot S130) was another auction favorite and demanded a high bid of $125,000. Plymouths and Chevrolets dominated the top 10, but a beautiful Hemi-equipped Desoto Fireflite convertible (Lot S134) also made the list coming in at $68,000.
The complete top 10 sales at the Portland 2017 auction include (individual prices do not include buyer’s premiums):
1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Lot S125) at $395,000
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 (Lot S130) at $125,000
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S115) at $110,000
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback (Lot S101) at $90,000
1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda (Lot S97) at $81,000
1970 Plymouth Cuda (Lot S150.1) at $78,000
1970 Plymouth Road Runner (Lot S119) at $72,500
2003 Chevrolet Corvette CRC Conversion (Lot S123) at $71,000
1966 Shelby Cobra Replica (Lot S151) at $70,000
1955 Desoto Fireflite Convertible (Lot S134) at $68,000
For access to complete auction results, sign up for the free InfoNet service offered at Mecum.com. Mecum’s next collector-car auction is this July 20-22 in Denver with an anticipated 1,000-vehicle lineup, followed by another 1,000-car offering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Aug. 3-5. For more details on upcoming auctions, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.
HIGHLIGHTS
Yenko Camaro YS-8022
Delivered new to Yenko Chevrolet and subsequently sold new at Bill Sight Chevrolet in Kansas City, Missouri on August 2, 1968
Copy of original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, reassignments and Yenko Registry List included
One of approximately 64 produced and less than 20 believed to exist
L72 427/425 HP engine
M21 4-speed transmission
12 bolt 3.73 Positraction rear end
Power disc brakes
Factory smog equipment
Stewart Warner tachometer and gauges
140 MPH speedometer
Early rear spoiler only car
Yenko fiberglass hood
Yenko installed Pontiac Rally wheels
Firestone 14-inch redline tires
Black standard upholstery
Rare Fathom Blue exterior color
Concours-quality rotisserie restoration
Gold Award at the Camaro Nationals
Gold Spinner award at the Chevy Vettefest Nationals