Yenko to make a comeback?

It's been 45 years since Don Yenko used GM's COPO (Central Office Production Order) program to build his first hot rod, the Yenko Stinger Corvair. But it's not the Corvair that Yenko is famous for, rather the Nova's and Camaro's he built with the sole purpose of dragstrip (and street light) domination.

And now General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) owner Jeff Leonard has just taken control of the Yenko name and brand with the promise of new product. Now seems as good a time as any, with American muscle cars alive and kicking.

PRESS RELEASE

ON IT'S 45th ANNIVERSARY - THE YENKO NAME IS ALIVE AND WELL

Avid Car Collector and Yenko Enthusiast Recaptures Yenko Magic with Possible New Yenko Models, Fresh Product Lines

Westminster, Calif. – (October 14, 2009) As the 45th Anniversary of the Yenko legacy draws near, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced today its ownership of the classic trademark and its plans to revitalize the brand.

To jump start this effort, Yenko owner, enthusiast and GMCI CEO Jeff Leonard, is consulting with several notable limited production vehicle companies in the automotive industry on possible new Yenko project cars as well as upcoming Yenko product lines.

GMCI will also launch a brand-new online home for the Yenko brand in the upcoming weeks, where owners and enthusiasts can find information about upcoming cars and products, access historical information about the brand, register to be a part of the site's forums and much more.

"The muscle car era has made a huge comeback this year and we expect this trend to grow," said Leonard. "The Yenko name is very much a part of that magnificent history and we plan to resurge its magic and its historical significance. Through GMCI's efforts, Don Yenko's name will be kept alive with the highest degree of integrity and respect."

Growing up in Detroit in the shadow of the famous Woodward Avenue during the muscle era heyday, Leonard always had a keen interest in Detroit muscle culture. As a muscle car enthusiast and owner of an original 1968 Yenko Camaro, Leonard shares the enthusiasm and excitement of many towards owning a unique piece of Yenko history.

Originally, the 60s era Yenko car was a special order vehicle, available only through Don Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA. Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, a program GM used for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxi cabs, etc. to special order the most powerful vehicles available.

Yenko modified his first vehicle, the Chevrolet Corvair, in 1965 for the Sports Car Club of America racing team. Yenko later went on to build the Yenko Super Camaro, Yenko Deuce, Yenko Chevelle, Yenko Super Nova, Yenko Vega Stinger and the Yenko Camaro Turbo Z among the fastest SCCA racing cars ever produced.