This article originally appeared in the June 1997 edition of Nova Times.

To be quite honest, when I heard about the car I really was not familiar with Yenkos at all…

Where I grew up there were some muscle cars but definitely no Yenkos.

After learning a little more about Yenkos and their history, I felt it would be a perfect match for my original 1970 396/375 car. After all, if you are going to have a pair this would be the pair to have!

The car was originally delivered to Nankivell Chevrolet in Indianapolis, Indiana sometime in July. From there it has seen many parts of the country through many different owners. I caught up with it in Phoenix, Arizona, in the back of a warehouse. The car was in almost perfect condition in regards to the body and all its parts; however, and there always seems to be however whenever you are buying a classic car, the car was not a true Forest Green and the engine was worked on to the point where you were required to run it on airplane fuel! I felt I could overlook those points and bring it home anyway.

The first couple of months the car was driven around town and to a couple of cruise nights. Of course everyone thought there is no way that it was a true Yenko. So that first winter, we tore the engine down and rebuilt it according to its original specs. By Spring, I was very anxious to hit the road; especially since I wouldn’t have to spend four dollars a gallon [in 1990s dollars!] to fill the gas tank anymore!

In June of that year, my father in law was between cars at the shop, so we decided we would paint the car the correct Forest green and apply the Yenko decals as it would have been originally. Well, if you have ever started something like this, you’ll understand  why it ended up being a total restoration job. Every nut, bolt, wire, and piece of metal was stripped and restored.

Believe it or not, the total process was completed in four months, just in time to show it at AAACA Fall Hershey. We came home with First Junior. The car has since been shown at NNN Mini Nats in NJ, NNN Nats Cincinnati, various Super Chevy Shows, and many more shows through the years.

Nova Info

  • One of 175 Built #25 Yenko Registry
  • Forrest Green with Black interior
  • Numbers matching original engine and proper 780 Holley carburetor
  • Yenko Stripes were cut by Vince Emme.
  • NNN Multiple Award Winner Best of Show, Best Trim, Peoples Choice
  • 4 speed trans Hurst shifter 4:10
  • Under dash gauges
  • Rotisserie full restoration by top performing shop with multi-national awarded vehicles
  • Less than 600 miles on since restoration
  • Climate controlled personal garage
  • Never driven in the rain
  • Featured in Muscle Car Nova SS book (included)

This 1970 Yenko could be yours! It is currently for sale by the owner, Kevin Carbaugh (717-278-6621). Serious inquiries only.

Photos

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