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Every prohibition seems to generate a speakeasy. GM's prohibition on engines larger than 400 cid in the Camaro had no different a result. COPO was the way to go around to the back door from RPO and say "Joe sent me". In this case, however, it was Don Yenko or one of his affiliated dealers that sent some 201 customers to stuff an L-72 427cid 425hp V8 with either a Muncie 4-speed or the 400 Turbo-Hydramatic, a 12 bolt 4.10 positraction rear, ZL2 air induction hood, power disc brakes and some suspension and cooling upgrades. Now for some visual pop, Don's "Yenko Super Camaro" dressups included RPO front and rear spoilers and his special blend of graphics, badges, emblems, monogrammed headrests, Hurst shifter and Stewart-Warner tachometer.
Once again, Creative Masters Ltd of Revell-Monogram has taken their venerable but exquisite 1/20 scale '69 Camaro tooling this time using it to create two Yenko Camaros in editions limited to 1500 units each. The Z28 package has been replaced with a new detailed 427 engine with manual 4-speed trans. The equilength "basket of snakes" headers are now straight 3 1/2" single pipes. The front grill is bare metal, but the chromed bumpers were not changed over to the body painted alternatives. The photoetched Camaro scripts remain and this time are well secured to the body. The other scripts and badges now read "427" on the hood bulge sides as well as the rear fascia, and the Yenko bowtie and shield motif appears on the fenders and the rear. The Yenko hood and side spear tampos are perfection. The tires are Goodyear Wide Ovals although I think the Goodyear Wide Tread GTs on the Z28 would have been a more common choice. The "Plain Black" interior sports a much more realistic faux wood trim on the dash and console replacing the older inserts, which looked more like tiger stripes. The headrests on the soft vinyl seats are now graced with the sYc monogram. Another interior addition is the S-W tach, which is mounted below the dash left of the steering column. It's a lousy place to put it and I believe it was column mounted in the actual Yenkos. This may be just a matter of cost saving convenience as it appears that the steering column would have to be lengthened to provide the space for it. These models come well packaged in a styrofoam clamshell and secreted in a compartment is a 4 1/2" Yenko badge.
Each model has it's own little suprises.
The Daytona Green Camaro sports American Racing Torque Thrust wheels that show off discs and calipers. The Daytona Yellow car has the customary Rally Wheels and is crowned with a nicely simulated black vinyl top and accented blacked out tail light panel.
Although the major tooling is over a decade old, the lines and stance of these Camaros have yet to be really surpassed. For that, it's easy to overlook the dogleg hinging, as in any pose these models display magnificently.
(01/28/2007)
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