Yenko Revived?

[garagelogic]

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...html#more-8440

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.

[Zabo]

Eh.. still no way in hell I'll be able to afford one. ;_;

Friggin win though, either way.

[Mr. Brownstone]

How is this even remotely considered a Yenko? Just because a guy who owns a very popular "Classic" Camaro aftermarket supplier out of California is a Yenko enthusiast wants to build these cars, does that make them a Yenko. Guess what, I'm a Yenko enthusiast. If I build a camaro, would that make it a Yenko?

Come on Folks, Yenko died in 1987 with Don Yenko. If you fall victim to a marketing scheme, then that's on you.

[Sir Nuke]

as brownstone CORRECTLY stated...............if Don Yenko didn't build it, its not a Yenko........someone is just using his name to put some parts together, thus its NOT a real Yenko.

[garagelogic]

I agree. Just buying the rights to the name and sticking it on some special edition Camaro will never make that car a real Yenko.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

I agree. Just buying the rights to the name and sticking it on some special edition Camaro will never make that car a real Yenko.

What's that make your Shelby ?

[third1]

If they have the licensing then it will be a Yenko,maybe not a Don Yenko but a Yenko nun the less. John Lingenfelter has been gone a few years and I 've seen a few Lingenfelter cars runnning around.

[pharmd]

If the "spirit" and original objective of Don is retained and built into the cars they produce, I don't see a problem. What happens with this kind of stuff, is people don't do the original namesake justice, they do, just slap a sticker on there or add some badges and try to call it a name....that is a big FAIL. If they do it right, I don't see a problem, if they don't, they might as well stop right now.

[moto-camaro]

Originally Posted by pharmd

If the "spirit" and original objective of Don is retained and built into the cars they produce, I don't see a problem. What happens with this kind of stuff, is people don't do the original namesake justice, they do, just slap a sticker on there or add some badges and try to call it a name....that is a big FAIL. If they do it right, I don't see a problem, if they don't, they might as well stop right now.

i think you've got it, i don't see the issue with revitalizing the name as long as they actually stay true to their word: "Don Yenko’s name will be kept alive with the highest degree of integrity and respect.”
in other words, sticker slapping with some minor cosmetic mods is not acceptable. i'd expect to see some real power coming out of these, or it's not a Yenko.

[ckaram]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

What's that make your Shelby ?

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by pharmd

If the "spirit" and original objective of Don is retained and built into the cars they produce, I don't see a problem. What happens with this kind of stuff, is people don't do the original namesake justice, they do, just slap a sticker on there or add some badges and try to call it a name....that is a big FAIL. If they do it right, I don't see a problem, if they don't, they might as well stop right now.

Well put. We'll have to see what develops.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

What's that make your Shelby ?

Good question. However, at least the guy whose name is on my car is still alive, still owns Shelby Automobiles, and still produces vehicles. In addition, my car is also listed in the Shelby registry as a Shelby automobile. Will this be the case with the "Yenko"?

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Good question. However, at least the guy whose name is on my car is still alive, still owns Shelby Automobiles, and still produces vehicles. In addition, my car is also listed in the Shelby registry as a Shelby automobile. Will this be the case with the "Yenko"?

I think my point was, it's about the name and the idea is all that matters.... Basically Shelby is far removed from what he was originally. He's pretty much retired and just makes appearances for marketing.... But either way his ideas and life ambitions will live on well after he is gone .....

[VRROOM]

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

as brownstone CORRECTLY stated...............if Don Yenko didn't build it, its not a Yenko........someone is just using his name to put some parts together, thus its NOT a real Yenko.

Louis Chevrolet died in 1941, Henry Ford died in 1947, John Dodge died in 1920, Walter P. Chrysler in 1940. With that kind of logic, I guess one can assume those aren't "REAL" Fords, Chevrolets, Dodges and Chryslers either.

:seesaw: