The month of January is shaping up to be a good one for auto auctions. The first production 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 will cross the block and a C4 Corvette ZR-1 prototype will also go under the hammer, to name just two vehicles. Today, we have another obscure car heading to auction: a 1981 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro Turbo Z.
Official Don Yenko conversions ceased in 1981, which makes this Camaro a real rarity and the final Yenko-connected project. Better yet, it’s one of just three ever built. Yenko produced 19 Camaro Turbo Zs in total, but this Turbo Z is a Stage II model and differs from the other cars. All Yenko Turbo Zs featured a 350 cubic inch V8 engine with a water-injected turbocharger and a Yenko-designed fuel heater, which helped drop quarter-mile times by three seconds. This particular Stage II includes a Turbo 350 transmission and G80 Positraction 3.08:1 final gearing.
While all 19 Turbo Zs were equipped with range-topping factory options, the Stage II also earned leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Stage II Koni shock absorbers and a modified stabilizer bar. Special gold wheels completed the Stage II look.
After all these years, the obscure Camaro has only accrued 38,852 miles. Backing its authenticity are a handful of official documents, including its build sheet, which shows Yenko Chevrolet as its original dealership, and a COPO Connection certificate that iterates this is, indeed, one of three known to exist.
Obscure it may be, it’s an incredible piece of Chevrolet, Camaro and Yenko history that we’re sure will command big money when it crosses the Mecum auction block next week.
Comments
No engine pics? And no power numbers
Brian , tap the highlighted Mecum, and it will take you to the Mecum site, and more pictures and information on the car.
The site gives you limited info too and no engine pics or interior.
Brian, tap the highlighted Mecum, and it will take you to the Mecum site.
I owned one of these. Except black with the white pinstripes. Sweet car when it was up and running right.