http://heartland.chevelles.net/RCstorage/blueyenko1.jpg

http://heartland.chevelles.net/RCstorage/blueyenko2.jpg

Gotcha! Actually, the car is very legit and has a ton of paperwork. It is a fine example of this odd little hot rod. It appears all the appropriate parts are still in place. Other than the paint, I think it's pretty much in original condition.

man thats awesome!

They also made them in a wagon too.

any other information on this car? Engine?, yenko specific options?

YENKO STINGER VEGA HISTORY



The year was 1971 and Don Yenko was certain that his latest product would be a winner.

Remembering back to 1966, Don's first undertaking, the Yenko Stinger, had worked out well. The Corvair racing program had been very successful, leading to a national SCCA championship. It took him some time, but he was able to sell all of the 100 original units ordered and had high hopes for future years of great Stinger sales. That all changed with the introduction of the Camaro.

By early 1967, Don knew the Corvair program would end soon, and he decided to make the natural jump to modifying Camaros. His Super Car program was a modest success in 1967 and 1968, but it was too labor intensive to continue.

Undaunted, Don was able to work this problem out by directly ordering his Camaros and Chevelles from the factory during 1969. Sales were excellent initially, aided by sales to his Super Car Dealers, but before long. the insurance companies stepped in and made it almost impossible for someone to insure these cars.

Don was again down but not beaten. In 1970, knowing that the days of the Big Block bashers were numbered, decided to use the highest performance small block that Chevrolet had in its arsenal, the 350 cubic inch LT-1. He would continue the COPO program of having the performance package installed by Chevrolet in the lightweight Nova. The Yenko Deuce ended up to be a popular ride, selling 175 units. His success was again short-lived, as new emmissions laws would but an end to the LT-1 engine as we have known it.

Don decided not to fight this issue again, but to embrace the popularity of the new small car market. He would take a popular car, the new 1971 Vega, improve the handling, and provide the necessary performance which would make it a fun car to drive and enjoy. It was destined to be his biggest success.

Calling his new product the Yenko Stinger, Don had hoped to bring back the glory of the earlier Corvair years.

Don specially ordered his Vega GT Hatchback coupes with pistons which could withstand the punishment of a turbocharger. He had intended to but a Schweitzer supercharger on each car, but ultimately would not be able to due to emmissions problems.

In addition to HD pistons, the Yenko Stingers came equipped with a Holley electric fuel pump, anti hop traction bars, and optional Thrush mufflers.

On the decorative side, front and rear spoilers were available, along with neat body graphics.

Simulated rear window louvers and flared fenders completed the custom look.

SPECS:

Engine: 155 Horsepower 4 - Cylinder OHC

Z-29 handling package

13 x 6 Wheels with A70 White-Lettered tires

Torsion bar rear suspension

Alloy-Plated 8:1 Compression Forged Pistons

Custom Tailored Exhaust System

Transmission: Four-Speed

Differential 3.36:1 axle with Positraction

Z-29 Sport Wheel and Full Instrumentation

The Vega Stinger came with a full factory warranty. Turbochargers had a Yenko 90 day/4000- mile warranty.

The Yenko Stinger Vega was introduced on January 26, 1971 at the Speed Equipment Manufactures Association show at Anaheim, California.

Stinger sales extended through the mid-1970's.

Quote from COPO.com

Wow, that is one nice looking Vega! I believe that's the first time I've ever seen 4 spoke American 200S wheels. Where is this car displayed, Rich?

Wow, that is one nice looking Vega! I believe that's the first time I've ever seen 4 spoke American 200S wheels. Where is this car displayed, Rich?

Lincoln, Nebraska, DuTeau Chevrolet

We have a red, unrestored Yenko Vega in our shop awaiting restoration...cool little cars!

Hot Rod in October 1971 did a feature on turbocharged minicars as the answer to performance, as emission controls were taking their toll on musclecar offerings from the factory. They had articles on a turbo'd Capri 2000 by Danny Jones, the Vega-based Yenko Turbo Stinger, a propane-fuelled turbocharged Pinto by Ak Miller, and a Turbo'd Datsun 240-Z from Crown Manufacturing (yes, the ones who offered Corvair performance stuff).
The Yenko Turbo Stinger Vega ran 14.70 @ 89 mph at Pittsburg International Dragway. This is from a 2300 cc four. The article went on to say that Yenko was developing a Drag Strip Suspension for it (to wit; visible in the 2nd pic is a link that runs forward of the rear wheel to approximately the doorjamb area below the rockers). Forged pistons from the factory, that's a COPO order (I seem to recall the use of a reinforced block on them as well but I can't find the source offhand). Vega blocks were designed to be throwaway because few facilities had the means of etching the high silicone aluminum bores. Dealers later were issued a retrofit kit to sleeve the cylinders with iron liners (a factory feature starting on production '75 Vegas).
I do recall those 4-spoke 200-S rims back in '72. I remember seeing them on the odd Datsun 510, Vega or Pinto. I haven't seen any in a long time though.

Cool post, Rich! That is the nicest Yenko Stinger I can ever recall seeing.

Lincoln, Nebraska, DuTeau Chevrolet

Very interesting!! My friend Brian's 70 LS6 Chevelle has documented history through DuTeau Chevrolet back in 1972, so I guess they still have a little high performance blood coursing through their veins. Thanks for the pics, Rich, a very neat car indeed.

Rich cool picture thanks for posting.
Don Yenko had big plans for the Stinger Vega. He had planed to have a turbo option and to have a non turbo SCCA legal road racing car like the Stinger Corvair. Don built a Vega race car and ran it at Daytona but didn't do well. He had a lot of aftermarket parts made for the Vega like Yenko valve covers and spoilers but I guess because of all the Vega engine problems the car never caught on with SCCA racers like the Stinger Corvair did.