Low-mile Don Yenko Super Camaro with a few stories brings $320,000

Mecum Auctions sells a 1968 427-cid L-72 V8-engined Chevrolet Camaro
 Mecum Auctions/David Newhardt 
This restored Yenko Camaro SS had just 1,340 miles at the time of the sale. 

A few days ago a 1968 Yenko Super Camaro with a 450-hp 427 cid L-72 V8 and just 1,340 miles on the clock sold at Mecum Auctions' Indianapolis sale, bringing $320,000. This was stated to be one of the legendary Camaros modified by Don Yenko, one of just 64 cars that received this powerplant in 1968. A four-owner car since being delivered new on June 5, 1968, this was among the batch of the first 20 cars, and was originally sold through Branine Chevrolet in Mulvane, Kan.

The car's first owner, Miles Pleasant, sold it to drag racer and Memphis Rodders club member A.J. Lancaster, who is said to have prepared the car for competition in the NHRA's new Pro Stock class. Mecum Auctions displayed a period photo of the car showing deceptive "396 Cu. In." lettering on the front fenders, which was attributed to the car's success in NHRA racing. Lancaster is said to have removed the Yenko engine, replacing it with a specially built 427 cid engine, in addition to removing the original interior details.

 Mecum Auctions/David Newhardt
The original Yenko engine has been reinstalled in the car during the 1991 restoration.

In 1991 the car passed into the collection of noted Chevrolet collector Dr. Vance Shappley, the consigning owner in this auction, who was able to restore the the car, reinstalling the Yenko engine and all the interior components that were taking out for its racing career, and repainting the car in original Sequoia green. Prior to the auction the car was said to be in its original specification as it left Yenko's shop, optioned with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission, a black Z23 interior, 3.73 Positraction rear end, a dash mounted Stewart-Warner tachometer, Redline tires, and an AM radio.

 Mecum Auctions/David Newhardt
The car brought spirited bidding that fell just short of the low estimate, but it was sold nonetheless.

Mecum described this car as being "among the most significant Yenkos today" given its racing pedigreee, though a number of classic Camaro fans felt that it was a car with one too many stories, and a racing pedigree accumulated on an entirely different engine. Also some questions were raised about the car's representation as having been built without the COPO 9737 designation, even though it was optioned with a 140 mph speedometer -- experts disagreed as to when the car actually acquired the COPO-specific items. The fact that the car later in its life displayed "396 Cu. In." lettering which should have been removed by Don Yenko during the conversion didn't seem to faze most bidders though, with the Camaro hammering for $320,000.

An impressive result for a car with a few stories, and a bit below the $375,000 to $450,000 estimate, though the final bid amount suggests confidence in its provenance. We have a feeling that Dr. Shappley's involvement in the restoration and the care he took in returning it to its original Branine Chevrolet specification and appearance played a big part in the success of this particular sale. And racing history is always a plus when it comes to muscle cars, especially Yenko cars.