1969 Chevrolet Nova SS Yenko Tribute

Description

For some guys, going too far is what it's all about. Don Yenko was such a guy, and in 1969, he started stuffing 427s into the compact Nova and created the Deuce-a car that really should be kept in a cage. Since there are only seven or so known to exist today, you can imagine how expensive and highly sought they are. So what's a guy to do?

Well, you build your own. This neat little 1969 Nova gets the look just right: one part low-buck grocery-getter, three parts street brawler, and one part polished debutante. The result is more than just a dressed-up Nova SS, but a car that will get attention just for looking good. A lot of the credit must go to the icy blue paint, which was apparently a favorite of Yenko's but seldom seen on muscle cars of the era. Combined with the white stripes, it has a very polished, upscale look that works rather well here. Bodywork is good and the paint, while older, still has a nice shine. Sure, there are a few imperfections here and there, but couple that cool color with the stripe work, and the look is pretty sweet. Hood inserts are the way the factory made it rather than some cowl-induction setup and with a blacked-out grille and some nice chrome, the car looks bright, crisp, and nicely finished.

The interior remains standard-issue Nova, albeit really clean and nicely trimmed. Basic black is the color of choice in a car like this, and the recent seat covers, door panels, and carpets really dress things up inside. The 3-spoke steering with a fat, easy-to-grip rim adds a bit of a sporty look to the otherwise simple surroundings. Factory gauges cover the basics of speed and fuel level, with a trio of auxiliary dials hanging under the dash for watching oil pressure, temperature, and voltage. There is no radio, so it's ripe for the setup of your choice, and like most Novas, it's light on options which is the only way to fly if you're looking for maximum performance. The important thing here is how nicely it's all finished, and in that regard, this car really succeeds. Even the back seat looks great! The trunk is covered in proper spatter paint and you can see that there's really nothing to hide here.

Yenko was using big blocks, but the 350 cubic inch V8 in this Nova gives it startling performance without the complications of a larger engine. It's obvious that good money was spent here, from the bright chrome details to the Chevy Orange block to the rumbling exhaust note. A Holley 4-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock intake manifold are a combination that was perfected years ago so the sucker runs superbly and with long-tube headers, the torque curve is robust. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission snaps off easy upshifts and is always read to drop down a gear and the 10-bolt rear end has a Posi inside, so no more wasted power. Flowmaster mufflers act as a warning to the unwary that this car is serious about its job and the stance from the BF Goodrich white letter 215/70/15 front and 215/70/15 rear tires on Rallye wheels is exactly right.

Clean, affordable performance, this slick little Nova offers all the right ingredients. Yenko fans, Nova fans, Chevy fans, everyone can agree that this is a cool car. Call now!