Your Camaro enthusiasm could make you an even bigger winner!
12-30-2008, 11:41 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: FL/MI
Posts: 1,808
Your Camaro enthusiasm could make you an even bigger winner!
OK Camaro enthusiasts, as we near our favorite car hitting the streets I want to offer a fun "contest".
I will post five pics. Each is either a person who, or vehicle which, has some historical importance to the Chevrolet Camaro. Choose one to write a paragraph or two, or three. Identify the person or car and share what you know or find out about it. Multiple entries are welcomed, but make each post about only one pic.
!!!!!!NO MERE COPYING AND PASTING !!!!
Let your research take you wherever, but make the post your own explanation.
The authors of the three posts which are determined to be the best will recieve, courtesy of me, a copy of a great book:
"The sole published expose of one of racing's most famous secret activities. Originally published in 1972, Chevrolet-Racing? reveals the inside story of Chevrolet's early surreptitious involvement in racing, from 1957-1970.
This collector's classic tells the fascinating story of how, from 1957 to 1970, Chevrolet probably acquired more successes and more technical knowledge of high performance than any other company in the world. Ironically, they never built a complete, running, race-ready vehicle; nor were ever officially represented at a race, and they never claimed credit for any Chevy products in racing wins, or promoted them in advertising for all that time. How did they accomplish what they did? This book reveals the untold story."
This book should be in every Chevrolet fan's collection. I hope the chance to win one inspires participation.
Further announcements may follow regarding possible "Honorable Mention" prizes which may be added later.
I will be one of the two judges of the submissions. Scott Settlemire has agreed kindly to be the other judge.
Here's your opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the Chevy and Camaro legacy and to welcome the new Camaro.
The deadline for submission to the thread will be February 1, 2009.
The judge's decision will be final.
This is meant to be fun. Have fun!
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
POST ENTRIES TO THIS THREAD
Remember, you don't have to win to be present! :->
I will post five pics. Each is either a person who, or vehicle which, has some historical importance to the Chevrolet Camaro. Choose one to write a paragraph or two, or three. Identify the person or car and share what you know or find out about it. Multiple entries are welcomed, but make each post about only one pic.
!!!!!!NO MERE COPYING AND PASTING !!!!
Let your research take you wherever, but make the post your own explanation.
The authors of the three posts which are determined to be the best will recieve, courtesy of me, a copy of a great book:
"The sole published expose of one of racing's most famous secret activities. Originally published in 1972, Chevrolet-Racing? reveals the inside story of Chevrolet's early surreptitious involvement in racing, from 1957-1970.
This collector's classic tells the fascinating story of how, from 1957 to 1970, Chevrolet probably acquired more successes and more technical knowledge of high performance than any other company in the world. Ironically, they never built a complete, running, race-ready vehicle; nor were ever officially represented at a race, and they never claimed credit for any Chevy products in racing wins, or promoted them in advertising for all that time. How did they accomplish what they did? This book reveals the untold story."
This book should be in every Chevrolet fan's collection. I hope the chance to win one inspires participation.
Further announcements may follow regarding possible "Honorable Mention" prizes which may be added later.
I will be one of the two judges of the submissions. Scott Settlemire has agreed kindly to be the other judge.
Here's your opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the Chevy and Camaro legacy and to welcome the new Camaro.
The deadline for submission to the thread will be February 1, 2009.
The judge's decision will be final.
This is meant to be fun. Have fun!
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
POST ENTRIES TO THIS THREAD
Remember, you don't have to win to be present! :->
Last edited by 1fastdog; 12-31-2008 at 07:36 AM.
12-30-2008, 11:55 PM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Chicagoland IL
Posts: 16,179
Well, I guess I'll do image #1, Vince Piggins.
He is considered by many, including me, to be the father of the Z/28.
In his role at Chevrolet Product Promotion, he thought up the Z/28 package, promised the SCCA that Chevrolet would go sedan racing in the Trans Am series, (which probably saved the series), and got GM management to approve the package.
The Z/28's purpose? To give the then brand new Camaro, a high profile series which could help develop a performance image for the Camaro which was superior to the Mustang. It didn't take long before the mystique of the Z/28 caught fire.
The first prototype, in October 1966 had a hotrodded 283, (in order to comply with SCCA's below 5.0L displacement rules). But after Vince's first drive with Chevy GM, Pete Estes, it was decided that this package should get it's own engine - based on the 327 block and 283 crank - to give us the legendary 302. It is said that Estes approved the development of the 302 on the spot. Those were the days huh? One month later this car was released to the press, with rave reviews. On the Dec. 29th the first production Z/28 was built, with the first 25 going directly to race teams.
The rest is history. If you ask me, I think Vince done good!!
He is considered by many, including me, to be the father of the Z/28.
In his role at Chevrolet Product Promotion, he thought up the Z/28 package, promised the SCCA that Chevrolet would go sedan racing in the Trans Am series, (which probably saved the series), and got GM management to approve the package.
The Z/28's purpose? To give the then brand new Camaro, a high profile series which could help develop a performance image for the Camaro which was superior to the Mustang. It didn't take long before the mystique of the Z/28 caught fire.
The first prototype, in October 1966 had a hotrodded 283, (in order to comply with SCCA's below 5.0L displacement rules). But after Vince's first drive with Chevy GM, Pete Estes, it was decided that this package should get it's own engine - based on the 327 block and 283 crank - to give us the legendary 302. It is said that Estes approved the development of the 302 on the spot. Those were the days huh? One month later this car was released to the press, with rave reviews. On the Dec. 29th the first production Z/28 was built, with the first 25 going directly to race teams.
The rest is history. If you ask me, I think Vince done good!!
Last edited by Z284ever; 12-31-2008 at 12:19 AM.
12-31-2008, 11:43 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: FL/MI
Posts: 1,808
01-01-2009, 05:22 AM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 73
Photo #4 is Donald Frank "Don" Yenko. If my information is correct, this picture was taken after Don ran off course at Mid-Ohio in 1964. He is seen sitting on his 1957 Corvette that he raced in the SCCA "B" Production class. Don was an accomplished race car driver, having won the GT class at the 12 hours of Sebring in 1967 as well as multiple "B" Production SCCA championships.
Don combined his love of racing with his father's Chevrolet dealership, setting up a race shop in the late 1950's where his race cars could be maintained and where other local racers could have their cars maintained. This combination essentially became Yenko Sports Cars Incorporated (sYc). Along with his racing Corvettes, Don Yenko created the "Stinger" race tuned versions of the Chevy Corvair.
When Chevrolet came out with the 1967 Camaro there was a GM corporate policy that intermediate and compact size cars were limited to engines with no more than 400ci displacement. With big block Ford Mustangs and Hemi Mopars coming out, Don wanted something more for the Camaro too. He used his sYc shop to upgrade new 396ci Camaros with the Corvette's 427ci engine as well as other drive train and suspension upgrades. Don was able to distribute his Yenko Camaros through a network of other Chevy dealerships, giving him significant credibility with Chevy's corporate offices. In 1969 Don helped to convince Chevy to put the 427ci engines in at the factory under the Central Office Production Order (COPO).
Don Yenko went on to create upgraded versions of the Chevy Nova and Chevelle. He was able to continue the ZL-1 aluminum big block through casting of "Yenko" aluminum big block engines. During the oil crisis years in the 1970's he worked on "Stinger II" versions of the new Chevy Vega. In 1981 he once again started upgrading Camaros, making the "Yenko Turbo Z", a turbo charged version of the Z28, but very few of them were made or sold.
Don Yenko died in a plane crash in 1987, but even today the name Yenko is synonymous with Chevrolet performance. The Yenko modified Camaros from the 1960s are some of the most sought after performance/muscle cars there are. Four Yenko Camaros and one Yenko Nova were auctioned off at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale Arizona, Jan 11-18, with an aluminum 427ci Camaro going for $319,000.00. Included in the auction is one of only three surviving Yenko Camaros sold by Don personally for NHRA drag racing. Don's legacy lives on with the Yenko Camaro Continuation series made by Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists. In 2005 Don Yenko was inducted into the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame.
On a more personal note: I've known about Don Yenko since before I was in high school. By the time I was old enough to buy my first car, a 1973 2 door Nova hatchback, the Yenko Camaro I wanted so badly was too expensive for my paper boy income. Still, I found that I couldn't stop sharing with people exactly what car I wanted and why. While I drove around in the '73 Nova, I talked about the '69 Camaro and collected every magazine article I could find about the cars and the man. A friend of my father's, with a fair amount of disposable income, ended up finding and buying the car of my dreams. I got to ride in it on occasions, which only made the desire to own one even worse, but I've never had an income level that would support buying one. For the most part, I'm more of a Corvette guy than a Camaro guy, but there has always been a place in my heart for the Yenko Camaro ('69 specifically). In fact, the only two Corvettes I wouldn't trade for a '69 Yenko would be an original Corvette lightweight (aka Grand Sport) or the specific 1959 Corvette my dad restored to Bloomington Gold standards and then had to sell in order to pay taxes during a rough year in his paint/body/restoration shop.
Don combined his love of racing with his father's Chevrolet dealership, setting up a race shop in the late 1950's where his race cars could be maintained and where other local racers could have their cars maintained. This combination essentially became Yenko Sports Cars Incorporated (sYc). Along with his racing Corvettes, Don Yenko created the "Stinger" race tuned versions of the Chevy Corvair.
When Chevrolet came out with the 1967 Camaro there was a GM corporate policy that intermediate and compact size cars were limited to engines with no more than 400ci displacement. With big block Ford Mustangs and Hemi Mopars coming out, Don wanted something more for the Camaro too. He used his sYc shop to upgrade new 396ci Camaros with the Corvette's 427ci engine as well as other drive train and suspension upgrades. Don was able to distribute his Yenko Camaros through a network of other Chevy dealerships, giving him significant credibility with Chevy's corporate offices. In 1969 Don helped to convince Chevy to put the 427ci engines in at the factory under the Central Office Production Order (COPO).
Don Yenko went on to create upgraded versions of the Chevy Nova and Chevelle. He was able to continue the ZL-1 aluminum big block through casting of "Yenko" aluminum big block engines. During the oil crisis years in the 1970's he worked on "Stinger II" versions of the new Chevy Vega. In 1981 he once again started upgrading Camaros, making the "Yenko Turbo Z", a turbo charged version of the Z28, but very few of them were made or sold.
Don Yenko died in a plane crash in 1987, but even today the name Yenko is synonymous with Chevrolet performance. The Yenko modified Camaros from the 1960s are some of the most sought after performance/muscle cars there are. Four Yenko Camaros and one Yenko Nova were auctioned off at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale Arizona, Jan 11-18, with an aluminum 427ci Camaro going for $319,000.00. Included in the auction is one of only three surviving Yenko Camaros sold by Don personally for NHRA drag racing. Don's legacy lives on with the Yenko Camaro Continuation series made by Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists. In 2005 Don Yenko was inducted into the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame.
On a more personal note: I've known about Don Yenko since before I was in high school. By the time I was old enough to buy my first car, a 1973 2 door Nova hatchback, the Yenko Camaro I wanted so badly was too expensive for my paper boy income. Still, I found that I couldn't stop sharing with people exactly what car I wanted and why. While I drove around in the '73 Nova, I talked about the '69 Camaro and collected every magazine article I could find about the cars and the man. A friend of my father's, with a fair amount of disposable income, ended up finding and buying the car of my dreams. I got to ride in it on occasions, which only made the desire to own one even worse, but I've never had an income level that would support buying one. For the most part, I'm more of a Corvette guy than a Camaro guy, but there has always been a place in my heart for the Yenko Camaro ('69 specifically). In fact, the only two Corvettes I wouldn't trade for a '69 Yenko would be an original Corvette lightweight (aka Grand Sport) or the specific 1959 Corvette my dad restored to Bloomington Gold standards and then had to sell in order to pay taxes during a rough year in his paint/body/restoration shop.
Last edited by Tigger#76; 01-23-2009 at 10:33 AM. Reason: Updated since the auction closed and added a personal bit.
01-02-2009, 01:28 AM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 4,306
#3 is Ed Cole, father of the Chevy Small Block.
In 1952, Ed Cole became the Chief Engineer at Chevy, and was put in charge to develop a new V8 engine to replace the Stovebolt 6. His experience at Caddy building thier high tech overhead valve V8 gave him a starting point to make this new V8. The Small Block Chevy was his baby, launching probably the most popular powerplant in the history of the Automobile. Its simplified design and high power output turned it into an instant classic for the race world.
This propelled him to General Manager of Chevy by 1956 and oversaw all the development of some of the most powerful and historical Chevy's ever made, including Camaro. He was also elected onto the board in 1961. In 1965 he became the VP of GM and was in charge of moving GM into the future. He helped develop air bag systems as well as catalytic converters and other emision equipment.
By 1967, Ed Cole was President and CEO of GM just in time to see the Camaro and his baby Small Block in its biggest displacement yet, the 350 cubic inch small block chevy, the engine that would carry GM well into the 21st century.
He was also a fan of the rotary engine.
In 1952, Ed Cole became the Chief Engineer at Chevy, and was put in charge to develop a new V8 engine to replace the Stovebolt 6. His experience at Caddy building thier high tech overhead valve V8 gave him a starting point to make this new V8. The Small Block Chevy was his baby, launching probably the most popular powerplant in the history of the Automobile. Its simplified design and high power output turned it into an instant classic for the race world.
This propelled him to General Manager of Chevy by 1956 and oversaw all the development of some of the most powerful and historical Chevy's ever made, including Camaro. He was also elected onto the board in 1961. In 1965 he became the VP of GM and was in charge of moving GM into the future. He helped develop air bag systems as well as catalytic converters and other emision equipment.
By 1967, Ed Cole was President and CEO of GM just in time to see the Camaro and his baby Small Block in its biggest displacement yet, the 350 cubic inch small block chevy, the engine that would carry GM well into the 21st century.
He was also a fan of the rotary engine.
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