9 Years To Buy 1967 Yenko Camaro - Then Surprising Original Owner With Concours Restoration

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  • čas přidán 22. 08. 2020
  • John Weaver was 19 when he bought a 1967 Yenko Camaro brand new. Watch his struggle to realize the dream of a restoration of the car he parked in 1973.
    Read on Hot Rod www.hotrod.com/articles/last-...
    And my feature in Hot Rod of this Yenko restored
    www.motortrend.com/features/1...
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 1,5K

  • @pearlinjmiller4889
    @pearlinjmiller4889 Před 3 lety +290

    My father was Ronald G. Lane - the salesman on the receipt

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +18

      Wonderful, did he take pictures of those days?

    • @dougperry2211
      @dougperry2211 Před 3 lety +44

      Is there a way for me to contact you in regards to this car that your dad sold new to John Weaver I am the current owner and would love to speak to you in regards to your father. Doug.

    • @pearlinjmiller4889
      @pearlinjmiller4889 Před 3 lety +26

      @@thewriter2549 Not really. He had lost his car dealership Town and Country Cars located in Washington the year before. We were struggling at this point. A year later we would move to Chicago.

    • @ronniehdable
      @ronniehdable Před 3 lety +6

      That's too cool

    • @chrisg9602
      @chrisg9602 Před 3 lety +5

      Awesome

  • @dougperry2211
    @dougperry2211 Před 3 lety +102

    Thank you Jerry for putting this video together for all to enjoy. I could not of done it without the help of John Weaver, Frank Arone, Dave McGaffee, Amy and Lane Dailey,Matt Barczak, Matt Lamer, Brian Potter . This car is a big piece of Yenko history that we proudly wanted to share with John Weaver. John was with us the entire build with questions and his recollection

    • @MaliciousSRT
      @MaliciousSRT Před 3 lety +8

      You all did a great job, car turned out beautiful

    • @Xplantdad
      @Xplantdad Před 3 lety +4

      Doug, the Superman Yenko certainly went to the right person! You've done John Weaver proud!. Say hi to Frank and Brian when you see them...

    • @dougperry2211
      @dougperry2211 Před 3 lety +4

      Xplantdad will do Bruce. 👍😁

    • @johnwayne3904
      @johnwayne3904 Před 3 lety +8

      What a precious thing you've done, Doug. Keeping John a part of all of this the whole time, that's a true man of your word. Lots of Respect to you sir.

    • @Lotek117
      @Lotek117 Před 3 lety +5

      You are a good man Doug, what you did was a great thing and it really makes you feel good how you treated john and the car. Im so glad you had him there along the whole way and did him proud especially hearing about his father buying him the car and what an amazing job you guys did. Im sure John's father would be proud and smiling down on you guys.

  • @dougperry2211
    @dougperry2211 Před 3 lety +221

    Mr John Weaver is a class act and a gentleman. Him and I share the same ideas and values. This car will always be known as his pride and joy ...we just helped get him there to see it’s glory days. John and I have many more great times to look forward to. By not firing the car ...we were preserving the color on the headers for a huge important show in Chicago the following month in which John and his wife attended. We needed it to be as fresh as possible to compete at the highest level. The friendship has gone beyond this car .

    • @67goodoleboy67
      @67goodoleboy67 Před 3 lety +2

      When is the show?

    • @stephenabril7084
      @stephenabril7084 Před 3 lety

      I understand your point. Hope you guys enjoy driving it afterwards for many years to come

    • @b.a.brackus6371
      @b.a.brackus6371 Před 3 lety +7

      John Weaver knows when to hold them..and when to fold them..👍👍 ...some vehicle owners will leave their vintage muscle car sitting outside for 50 years..and never sell it to a restorer...l have never understood that twisted thinking.. John got to see his car beautifully restored..Kudos to him👍👍

    • @123nlusky
      @123nlusky Před 3 lety +2

      @@b.a.brackus6371 Exactly, I know 3 ageing 60s/70s classic cars slowly giving way to the elements in some kind of favour to the drivers long passed away. I bet the original driver felt most alive when his pride and joy was being fuelled up lubricated and out on the road 🚗💨

    • @williammclaughlin4878
      @williammclaughlin4878 Před 2 lety

      Why do you always see stuff stacked on top of these beautiful cars why make more work for yourself

  • @DUDE72341
    @DUDE72341 Před 3 lety +14

    best part of the story when don yenko asks to drive the car and immediately hammers on it! The guy just loved and knew he was doing special things!

  • @augustjosh77
    @augustjosh77 Před 3 lety +10

    People like this don’t exist anymore … so awesome … made me cry .. thinking of my dad ..

  • @berniek.morgan3481
    @berniek.morgan3481 Před 3 lety +6

    Being an old CHEVY MAN, I LOVED THIS VIDEO more than ANYTHING I've ever seen on U-TUBE. Back in my day, (I'm now 65) you were either a Chevy Guy or a Ford Guy. But this video is MOST DEFINITELY a piece of History and should be kept "Alive" somewhere and somehow!!! God bless Chevies !!! ☮👌😷🤘

  • @curtkopp19
    @curtkopp19 Před 3 lety +11

    So nice seeing a car being treated as more than a commodity...they mean so much more to their owners.

  • @sherf2654
    @sherf2654 Před 3 lety +156

    My hats off to John Weaver for preserving the car all these years to give it a chance at a second life. Most were left in a field to rot. Amazing car and a happy ending!

    • @patrickdecambra2219
      @patrickdecambra2219 Před 3 lety +9

      John Weaver was nothing but an over-privileged Rich Boy. Who turned into a hoarder. I'm kept this car from the public for 30 years. He is one of the reasons why this sport is dying.

    • @thomasmartin5319
      @thomasmartin5319 Před 3 lety +8

      @@patrickdecambra2219 If that's all you got from this video then I feel sorry for you. But everyone's entitled to their opinion.

    • @patrickdecambra2219
      @patrickdecambra2219 Před 3 lety +7

      @@thomasmartin5319 went to a man's house to see the Mustang parts he advertised for sale. He had five sets of louvers for 69 Mach 1. I asked him how much would it cost for me to buy one. His answer was if he sold one he would only have four so he couldn't sell one. That's my experience with these kind of people. They get nothing from me but my disgust. Are you starting to understand there are too many people like him in the car world that's why the car world is dying

    • @normhodgkinson6965
      @normhodgkinson6965 Před 3 lety +7

      @@patrickdecambra2219 unlikely he was a hoarder in that sense, or rich. i would say sentiment/memories, and a vision to one day restore it, is probably the reason. the sport is not dying. except for the China virus right now, there are car shows from the spring to the fall all across the country. unfortunately, cars from the 50's 60's and 70's are becoming very scarce.

    • @patrickdecambra2219
      @patrickdecambra2219 Před 3 lety +5

      @@normhodgkinson6965 so many times tried to save old classic cars just watch them get buried in Weeds and rust

  • @kevintucker3354
    @kevintucker3354 Před 3 lety +25

    Thank you for selling it to the right man!

  • @southernstar4353
    @southernstar4353 Před 3 lety +11

    Absolutely beautiful documentary. I could feel the guys nerves about selling the car his dad helped him buy. Man such a different, excellent and beautiful time of america. Thanks for the video.

  • @heyitsdurancitooo5212
    @heyitsdurancitooo5212 Před 3 lety +6

    Wow the history on that camaro is crazy and the camaro is so beautiful

  • @90scarguy
    @90scarguy Před 3 lety +148

    This is crazy, this is my buddies car. I’ve seen this car, tried to buy it years ago. Can’t believe what I just watched here!

    • @jonathanlawson4667
      @jonathanlawson4667 Před 3 lety +7

      I'd say you could've bought it for a quater million

    • @jonathanlawson4667
      @jonathanlawson4667 Před 3 lety +4

      I'm betting it went for 200k maybe a little more maybe a little less but I'm very close

    • @90scarguy
      @90scarguy Před 3 lety +11

      Jonathan Lawson I offered $100. I’m glad it sold, and was restored. He is a great guy. I tried buying it in 2016. This story really is just awesome!

    • @DavidStirm
      @DavidStirm Před 3 lety +8

      So you think he paid 200 thousand?? to that old guy. Not bad for 5200 bucks....

    • @richardmalone4721
      @richardmalone4721 Před 3 lety +6

      There’s a good bit of unfound musclecars around “Dahn-Tahn n’at”. Yellow ‘69 Z-28 in Carnegie, not a Cross-Ram, but it has rear disc brakes, sittin on jack stands at his moms house in a heated garage, one head off, but not blown. Western PA is loaded with them.

  • @DonohoeDSc
    @DonohoeDSc Před 3 lety +6

    I grew up in West Newton, PA (30 min from Greensburg, PA). A guy in my town - Gary Shoemaker - had a dark green with white stripe and it was the only time I noticed as a young guy the word Yenko on the car...it was a loud and fast car. At night the car was one of the most stunning cars on the road in the early 70s.

  • @ryanjohnson8821
    @ryanjohnson8821 Před 3 lety +26

    The stories told by the owner are as special as all the documentation and the car itself. Thanks for sharing a brief glimpse of the journey.

    • @chriseudy4684
      @chriseudy4684 Před 3 lety +2

      I got one too. Bought a 69 Camaro with my Dad in California when I was 7 yrs old.

    • @thomaswhalen5451
      @thomaswhalen5451 Před 2 lety +1

      True Dat!

  • @skatedd2451
    @skatedd2451 Před 2 lety +2

    What's in your show puts a smile on my face such a good feeling history should be remembered and told..

  • @125AXer
    @125AXer Před 3 lety +31

    Such a great story!.
    Edit: Shocking that someone has not bought the old dealership, restored it, and used it for a car restoration shop or something similar. The historical significance is unbelievable.

    • @ALSNewsNow
      @ALSNewsNow Před 3 lety +1

      Exactly. And its for lease anyways

    • @ssoffshore5111
      @ssoffshore5111 Před 3 lety +3

      Considering Doug with the Yenko(s) clearly has some money, I'm kinda surprised he hasn't bought this building and restored it to put his cars in.

    • @kevn99
      @kevn99 Před 3 lety +1

      I was thinking the same thing.

    • @delbertdemarco6921
      @delbertdemarco6921 Před 3 lety +5

      Worked in the old yenko chevrolet building in late 80's. It was a Saab dealer. Had old hoods in the rafters from all the hood replacements on all the custom yenkos. I bet the hoods are still there.

    • @highadventur
      @highadventur Před rokem +1

      @@delbertdemarco6921 Wowser another great side story thanks.

  • @dennisnbrown
    @dennisnbrown Před 2 lety +5

    Mr. Weaver is a gem! Congratulations Doug and the entire team. You did this amazing car justice. I bought my 68 RS/SS 396 4 spd car in 1980 as my 1st car. Still drive it today. This story really hits home. I love 1st gens.

  • @PeacockPovertyDotOrg
    @PeacockPovertyDotOrg Před 3 lety +14

    Absolutely gorgeous. Love the fully stock look. We see so many modified cars out there, so nice to see one as it would've left the factory.

  • @454ss67
    @454ss67 Před 3 lety +3

    That blue 67 Camaro to the left, doing a burnout, is mine. I won a set of Mickey Thompson tires that year. It's Nantucket blue with a black vinyl top. And it looks a lot like the Yenko, but it's not a Yenko. It's not even a real SS. It was born a heavily optioned Rally Sport 327/PG/3.40 10 bolt open diff. Factory power windows, power steering, power drum brakes, tilt wheel, cruise control, 4 way speakers, pushbutton AM radio, deluxe Bright Blue interior. Yes, factory tilt and cruise in a 67 Camaro. I have never seen that in another Camaro over the last 42 years. I've seen power windows at a car show, but the guy said he added it. This Yenko and a GM exec personal car had power windows, but I've only seen those in pictures. I bought mine for $450 in 1978, and got teased, because a friend bought her '67 for only $100. Hers was just a plain Jane red Camaro, so I was happy with my score. I was also looking at a '70 Challenger with a 318, but it was overpriced at $1,800. Then there was a nice looking '69 Boss 302, red with black stripes, and those cool aluminum slats across the back window. He wanted $1,200. In retrospect, that was the car to get. A real Boss 302. But, I only had $600 in the bank, and the idea of not having to borrow money to buy a hot rod, the Camaro was mine! Keep in mind, it was only 12 years old in late '78, but it was already ragged out, so I can see why this Yenko was looking rough. The truth is, these cars were not made nearly as well as cars today. The sheet metal was thicker, but everything else was pretty poor quality compared to late model cars. My glove box was originally cardboard. The tail light panel was welded in crooked from the factory. Quality control, even in '66, wasn't that great. We had a 2010 2LT that looked nearly as good in 2020 as it did when new. Traded it a few months ago for something more practical...I really miss it. But I still have my 67! You don't see many Nantucket blue 67s, but it's my favorite color from the first year, so I resisted painting it any other color. It lost the power glide a few years after I got it. First I swapped in a Muncie 4 speed, which was relatively easy because all the attaching points and mounting bosses were already there. And back then the junk yards were still full of 1st gen Camaros, so all the necessary parts were easy to find. After I got tired of clutching, I installed a Turbo 400. That was a good, tough trans, but I wanted another 4 speed. Only this time it was an automatic overdrive, 700R4. Rebuilt to withstand drag racing, that's a nice trans for low end grunt, top end driving, and all around road trips. Speaking of drag racing, I couldn't live with the one wheel peel, so I found a 69 12 bolt posi and loaded 3.73s in it. Now I can lay down two nice thick racing stripes. The old 327 got tired by the mid '80s, so in went a 454. I ditched the 4 wheel drums for junkyard discs about 30 years ago, then finally upgraded to Wilwood discs in '16. The car finally stops as well as it goes. We lived in Vegas 25 years ago, so air conditioning became a necessity. Funny thing, when you get AC, you also get a real defroster. No more sticking my head out the window to see where I'm going. It's been a fun car. The paint is faded and chipped, and the vinyl top has seen better days. At a drag race a few years ago, the announcer said, here's a nice "surviver" Camaro. I had to laugh. Hardly a "surviver". It's been painted twice, had the top replaced, replaced the hood, a front fender, front bumper, interior, engine, trans, rear end, one of the headlight motors. I wouldn't say much has survived. Surprisingly, all four window motors are still original. So is the wiper motor, and the power steering pump. And I think that's about the only moving parts that have been there since 1967. But it still looks very stock, and far from fresh, so yeah, I guess after 53 years, it's a survivor.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety

      I had to read your comment twice, amazing, thanks.

    • @454ss67
      @454ss67 Před 3 lety +1

      Hey thanks! I wrote too much, so I appreciate that you took the time to read it. I have to get my trophies from burnout contests because it's too street worn for car shows and too slow for drag racing, even though I do both! I love these old Camaros. They are beautiful from any angle. I'm very fortunate to have found mine when they were affordable. I couldn't justify getting one now. I guess the 3rd gens are taking that spot now. I have an '88 that I got for $700 about 20 years ago. It was my daily driver until a few years ago when it began just shutting off. Fuel injection is great, until it isn't. I have so many other projects that the 88 is just sitting there. Oops, I did I again. Really enjoyed the video.

  • @pclayton5063
    @pclayton5063 Před 3 lety +13

    What a great restoration. I was looking for that Tonawanda sticker on the valve cover and saw it. Had a 68 SS 396/375 that looked very similar back in the 70's.

  • @michaelcuff5780
    @michaelcuff5780 Před 3 lety +8

    John! Your one hell of a guy! Look at it this way! You got a good friend out of the deal too!

  • @13_13k
    @13_13k Před 3 lety +3

    What a great story, incredible car, and a wonderful man.
    My best friend doesn't have a Yenko, but he has a '67 Camaro, RS/SS convertible, w/350 cu, 4 wheel disc brakes, power top, power windows, cable driven bowtie side view mirror, hide away headlights, AM/FM, air conditioning, luggage rack on the trunk, blacked out rear panel, deluxe interior, actually he has two interiors, one has bucket seats in the front with a solid rear bench seat and he has the front split bench seat and fold down rear seat, it's red with the black bumble bee stripe around the nose with the double hump hood, automatic Turbo 400 transmission, he had it completely restored about 25 years ago and I don't think it has left his garage since he brought it home from the shop.

  • @thomasryan8218
    @thomasryan8218 Před 3 lety +30

    What a great story.

  • @dalemurphy6295
    @dalemurphy6295 Před 3 lety +4

    Nice job Doug and Frank

  • @charleshall9755
    @charleshall9755 Před 3 lety +30

    This gave me a touch of the feeling I had when I came back from a 15 month tour overseas and processed out of the service and hadn't even driven a car for the whole time I was overseas. I bought a 1969 SS Camaro 396 4speed garnet red with a black vinyl top and white interior. It had 12,000 miles on it but I only gave 2,500 dollars for it. It wasn't new but it was to me.
    Been missing that car ever since then! I'm ashamed to tell what I traded it in on...lol

    • @Quote23rd
      @Quote23rd Před 3 lety +2

      honda.

    • @sschevmale24
      @sschevmale24 Před 3 lety +2

      Fiesta ? Dude I have a 96 gmc sonoma my first car and I can't sell it. Has 300k on odometer and I've sold lot of my old cars but I can't sell this one. I was 17 when my dad got it for me I'm 39 now lol

    • @charleshall9755
      @charleshall9755 Před 3 lety +2

      @Charles culver lol...right a 1973 ford ltd.

    • @ThePontiac98
      @ThePontiac98 Před 3 lety +2

      @@charleshall9755 that's horrible lol

    • @charleshall9755
      @charleshall9755 Před 3 lety +3

      @@ThePontiac98 trying to please a woman that ended up dumping me for a guy with a vette...lol

  • @mattskustomkreations
    @mattskustomkreations Před 3 lety +7

    So glad John finally sold the car. And to the right guy. Stunning results.

  • @rygy20
    @rygy20 Před 3 lety +6

    John Weaver, what a great story and you should be proud of yourself to let it go. At least you will always know where it‘ll be at. Absolutely beautiful piece of machinery.

  • @nickhoffman5524
    @nickhoffman5524 Před 3 lety +20

    Wow what history and great story. Heart warming to see both parties form life long friendship. Great video Jerry thanks for all that you do.

  • @grandwaha
    @grandwaha Před 3 lety +5

    Man that restoration is gorgeous. I can't believe he just never touched it for that long. There are so many buried treasures people need to find.

  • @bradlepaddle9512
    @bradlepaddle9512 Před 3 lety +141

    I wish everyone cared this much about history I feel like the world would adjust its pace

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +10

      Interesting take I never thought of, and makes sense, thanks.

    • @drtb69
      @drtb69 Před 3 lety +9

      Yes, I agree...the world went and got itself in a big hurry ....and for what.... to stare at phone screens all day , have anger and bad attitudes as the air worsens and the water becomes dirty. Trying to be positive and happy in a negative world. Lol. Lord help us All even though we don't deserve it. 🙏

    • @michaeladamo1188
      @michaeladamo1188 Před 3 lety +6

      Great job on the video! honestly if everyone just cared about something the world would be a better place

    • @SandyMcInnesMagicMemories
      @SandyMcInnesMagicMemories Před 3 lety +2

      Michael Adamo Amen to that!

    • @brianocampo4551
      @brianocampo4551 Před 3 lety

      Yeah I guess everyone living in the past while nothing happens to help the future this is why people like you don’t got kids

  • @joannaantonsen4209
    @joannaantonsen4209 Před 3 lety +1

    Restoring my 67 Camaro convertible that I bought in 67 and have driven it for 53 years. So excited.

  • @SeventyEightCivic
    @SeventyEightCivic Před 3 lety +5

    This will always be a top 10 favorite car for me. Thank you for preserving this history and the car.

  • @RandysFiftySevenChevy
    @RandysFiftySevenChevy Před 3 lety +3

    I couldn't stop salivating.. What a great story and one of the most original looking YENKOs Ive seen.

  • @mondeacid5610
    @mondeacid5610 Před 3 lety +31

    After this video, will never refer to a vehicle as "Its just a car" the story and emotions attached is priceless, thanks to all concerned

  • @Cartier_specialist
    @Cartier_specialist Před 3 lety +12

    Wow, a no smog 427 big block in a Camaro must've been the ultimate car in the day.

  • @marccartisano5026
    @marccartisano5026 Před 3 lety +5

    What an amazing story, and amazing friends! Hats off to everyone that had their hands in on this historic restoration project and preserving an important piece of history...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @xtremehunter8597
    @xtremehunter8597 Před 3 lety +20

    Fantastic, what a great Camaro. Love seeing a piece of history brought back to it's glory. I've owned a 1969 Camaro SS396 since 1985. Just waiting for time to restore to original. My car was a super stock car since July 1969 and has been raced on and off since. Still have the original odometer with 268 miles on it. This video has given me new inspiration to finally get around to finishing my car to it's previous glory. Thank you. And great work to all who where involved.👍 👏

    • @Marvinfj32
      @Marvinfj32 Před rokem

      It sounds like ma nature's time clock is the one to beat. She is winning the race at my track. I wish you luck with your project.

  • @UScarsarethebest
    @UScarsarethebest Před 3 lety +4

    What an amazing story! My 69 is under restoration now. Can't wait till it's finished so I can go cruising and will enjoy it for the rest of my life!!!

  • @maxmoovin
    @maxmoovin Před 3 lety +1

    What a great story. I'll watch this a few times again.

  • @thomasgun1329
    @thomasgun1329 Před 2 lety +2

    I love this show . The love all of you have for classic cars

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks Thomas, I'm glad that is conveyed. People outside the hobby think this is all about money. It's about getting the car you've wanted so long. Collectors buying their dream car can't sleep the night before the purchase. They are worried the seller backs out at the last minute. I know this from experience.

  • @carguy1979
    @carguy1979 Před 3 lety +7

    Awesome story, I read the Hot Rod article on it. Great to see video too. Very cool that the new owner brought the original one along for the whole process. Stand-up guy right there.

  • @Evergreen1400
    @Evergreen1400 Před 3 lety +7

    It does not get any better then this, the story and video are just as well put together as the car, absolutely amazing every part of it. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽

  • @445xone
    @445xone Před 3 lety +2

    Beautiful car and a great story.. there is a 67 Yenko Camaro in my area . original owner drag raced it only. 2nd and current owner picked it up the 80's and only shows it..I saw it once around 25 years ago.VERY cool cars !

  • @BatMan-xr8gg
    @BatMan-xr8gg Před 2 lety +2

    That is one Beautiful Car. Loved the Original Colour and the Hood was excellent. So glad just to see it back as it should be.

  • @douglasames6495
    @douglasames6495 Před 3 lety +10

    Hopefully he got a fair price selling it!
    I grew up in SW PA and went to grade school with Don Yenko's daughter in the early 70's. She brought him in one day for Show and Tell, lol. He was in his race suit and showed an 8mm movie of one of his Trans Am races.
    As a 6th grader, he was just a local racer that owned a Dealership. Honestly, the Yenko Novas were more popular (affordable) than the Camaros. Pretty common sight in the Pittsburgh area in the 70's.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +3

      Please tell us you took some pictures and video or somebody did.

  • @mattevans8517
    @mattevans8517 Před 3 lety +113

    Tough to watch John's reactions and facial expressions as the car is sitting there freshly restored. A rough mix of emotions for sure.

    • @richardmcdowell830
      @richardmcdowell830 Před 3 lety +1

      I want to know what he sold it for, how much ?

    • @paulwela390
      @paulwela390 Před 3 lety

      @port nut and uaahjaa

    • @paulwela390
      @paulwela390 Před 3 lety

      @port nut aajaaan auahaaunaaiaahajaaanuauaaaah

    • @paulwela390
      @paulwela390 Před 3 lety +1

      @port nut aajaaan auahaaunaaiaahajaaanuauaaavaaah

  • @Chukkie1967
    @Chukkie1967 Před 3 lety +2

    Watching this video just helped me find the motivation to drag my 67 camaro out of the garage and finish it up and start cruising it again. THANK YOU I NEEDED THAT!!

  • @robertdean6222
    @robertdean6222 Před 3 lety +3

    That’s a holy grail no doubt !
    I been looking for a 69 pace car or a 69 rs/ss conv. for 5 yrs. now !

    • @skinnerhound2660
      @skinnerhound2660 Před 3 lety +1

      I found a blue 69 rs/ss 350 conv that was highly optioned recently in Kalispell MT for sale. It had PW, tilt, A/C and disc brakes. Looked to be unmolested and relatively low mileage.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +1

      Maybe we can get Robert this car? Up to you. Email me and we'll see.

    • @dalewalker4614
      @dalewalker4614 Před 3 lety +1

      @@thewriter2549 Jump on this @ robert dean !!!

  • @pbgv5590
    @pbgv5590 Před 3 lety +3

    Met Doug yesterday and didn’t get to see the car but absolutely the best man that Mr. Weaver could finally let it go to. I’m sure he’s happy with how its back to what it was!

  • @rico387
    @rico387 Před 3 lety +5

    We come to this world with nothing and leave with nothing. We don’t actually own a car, we are just the caretaker. This car will outlive the people who built it, and the guy who bought it new. He knew that. As a true steward of the car, he put his own “wants” aside for the good of those who follow behind him. Well done and kudos to all involved.

  • @cathymacdonald8319
    @cathymacdonald8319 Před 3 lety +2

    Yenko museum , I will go for sure would be supper cool !

  • @DHarri9977
    @DHarri9977 Před 3 lety +6

    A one of a kind in terms of the restoration thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of Americana.

  • @craigparish521
    @craigparish521 Před 3 lety +6

    What great history for an iconic car.
    Well done 👍 the Camaro is beyond belief

  • @jessegriffin8457
    @jessegriffin8457 Před 3 lety +5

    Such a awesome story I love hearing the stories of these amazing American MUSCLE CARS 💪🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @charlesfree4247
    @charlesfree4247 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow! What a story! This is awesome.

  • @jaybee9379
    @jaybee9379 Před 3 lety +7

    I worked for Frank Arone about 26 years ago he has always done great work.

  • @jerrylee3757
    @jerrylee3757 Před 3 lety +6

    It was still keystone raceway when i was a kid loved going there with my dad

  • @willyb2412
    @willyb2412 Před 3 lety +4

    Amazing story thanks for sharing it with us

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for letting us know. PS: One of my favorite Pirates!! Honus Wagner signed my dad to a contact with the Pirates in the late 1930s.

  • @andrewmaas6620
    @andrewmaas6620 Před 3 lety +2

    Great story and a beautiful car

  • @bjanks00
    @bjanks00 Před 2 lety +5

    I'm so glad to see this conclusion. Want to see more! Amazing story and gorgeous full restoration!

  • @MikeMikeSmith
    @MikeMikeSmith Před 3 lety +44

    I’m glad the original owner held out... I see too many of these restorations, where guys buy cars from people and don’t give them respect for preserving it.

    • @yeahright302
      @yeahright302 Před 3 lety

      no i dont think so,most of the time you have to wait until they die.

  • @MikeJBlues
    @MikeJBlues Před 3 lety +4

    Awsome story, beautiful car, and a truly awesome original owner
    Well done

  • @wyldeman
    @wyldeman Před 3 lety +1

    This was a Great documentary I remember these days. These days seem to be gone with the mass production of autos. This is what America was. We all worked on our cars to make them better and faster. We helped each other it was predominantly a man thing. Bonding with friends. You call me in the middle of the night tell me where you were broken down. I jumped up got dressed and rushed to help get you fixed and on the road or we told you home with chain. Came back next day and we fix what was wrong period and we didn't ask for a penny. We might not have been the brothers but we were FRIENDS!
    Thank You for this vid!

  • @ThomasDuffyRE
    @ThomasDuffyRE Před 3 lety +2

    Great story and documentation of the journey!

  • @paulc858
    @paulc858 Před 3 lety +3

    Amazing story. Glad the seller and the buyer are close friends now. Cars like that shouldn’t be locked up to rust and rot. I know the car had sentimental value but let the younger generation enjoy it too. Koodos to you sell and koodos to you buyer for bring the Camaro back to life. Man what a beautiful Camaro.

  • @MrPappysCobra
    @MrPappysCobra Před 3 lety +30

    Awesome! My father in law was a Yenko dealer . Huebner Chevrolet Carrollton Ohio. Archie has passed away but the dealer ship still uses his name. He sold Yenko camaros and a Chevelle. Also # 69 ZL-1 Camaro. I have pics of it in the show room. Great video.

    • @RaceGasSmellsGood
      @RaceGasSmellsGood Před 3 lety +2

      Wow, so dang cool! Was he aware that he was selling gold back then, as in, did he have any idea that in the future, those HiPo cars were gonna be worth a fortune?!

    • @wilfredocaban5508
      @wilfredocaban5508 Před 3 lety +3

      You can still buy Yenko Camaros

    • @robertburrell9127
      @robertburrell9127 Před 3 lety +1

      You should put those pix up from the dealership. I know I'd appreciate them

    • @charleshall9755
      @charleshall9755 Před 3 lety +1

      If we could only turn back the time...

    • @nitrojunkie9027
      @nitrojunkie9027 Před 3 lety

      @@wilfredocaban5508 you can buy a Camaro badged as a Yenko, but it is not a Yenko. The Company is Specialty Vehicle Engineering out of New Jersey that puts them out. Yenko went out of business in 1982 I believe.

  • @jakespeed63
    @jakespeed63 Před 3 lety +2

    Fantastic story!!! Thanks for sharing.

  • @rickdee67
    @rickdee67 Před 3 lety +2

    Some cars absolutely should be kept as delivered! This car is a prime example of just that! Beautiful!

  • @markpascoe7845
    @markpascoe7845 Před 3 lety +3

    Great story thank you

  • @user-ij6xs4ut7j
    @user-ij6xs4ut7j Před 3 lety +3

    One of the best car stories I’ve ever heard. Absolutely beautiful automobile. A true American treasure. Great video. Thank you for sharing!

  • @marioncrafted9045
    @marioncrafted9045 Před 3 lety +2

    What an amazing story

  • @tracksofnyc
    @tracksofnyc Před 3 lety +2

    Awesome recollections from Yenko peeps!

  • @paulbaker5085
    @paulbaker5085 Před 3 lety +4

    The best car video I have ever seen . .Thank You John Weaver

  • @ridgekayser940
    @ridgekayser940 Před 3 lety +7

    One of the most interesting CZcams videos I've seen in years. THANK YOU so much for producing this great story & sharing this video with us. . . Don Yenko May 27, 1927 - March 5, 1987, rest-in-peace.

    • @bentnickel7487
      @bentnickel7487 Před 3 lety

      Yenko drove Corvettes, but couldn't fly a plane. Died at 59 y/o, what a shame.

  • @goleafsgo8496
    @goleafsgo8496 Před 3 lety +2

    The love and the passion between a man and a car, great story and really classy of the new owner to involve the OG owner in its debut to the world.

  • @donaldmartin5649
    @donaldmartin5649 Před 3 lety +2

    Keystone Raceway is about 30 miles east of my home.I still race there. I worked at the original Yenkos as a mechanic in 1973 after I came home from the army.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety

      Nice to hear from you. They moved out of the old dealership where we filmed, in about 1971. Is that right?

  • @Johnnyroten
    @Johnnyroten Před 2 lety +3

    It’s got to be heartbreaking for Mr Weaver but deep down he knows he did the right thing.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 2 lety +1

      I agree and from what he has told me, he does too.

    • @dougperry2211
      @dougperry2211 Před 2 lety +1

      John will always be a huge part of this cars life

  • @tomoday4450
    @tomoday4450 Před 3 lety +5

    Great story

  • @misipeaufa6713
    @misipeaufa6713 Před 3 lety +1

    Wow that's amazing it's so good to old car comes back to life😊

  • @m.a.c.8366
    @m.a.c.8366 Před 3 lety +2

    that car is just an exceptional piece of automobile history... thanks for posting this...

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +1

      This was my assessment after writing right around 1,000 barn find stories since 1990, most of them in my "Rare Finds" monthly column that appeared in 4 different magazines. I was hoping to get a comment saying as much. Thanks.

  • @mattskustomkreations
    @mattskustomkreations Před 3 lety +55

    Wow, the old dealership would be cool turned into a Yenko Museum.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +9

      Yes!!

    • @s.t.kkennel2325
      @s.t.kkennel2325 Před 3 lety +2

      @@thewriter2549 the guys that own it are brothers. Greg is my 2 sons grandfather.

    • @s.t.kkennel2325
      @s.t.kkennel2325 Před 3 lety +4

      @@thewriter2549 they build bikes n the building now. There are a couple yenkos still in there.

    • @briankendall65
      @briankendall65 Před 3 lety +3

      @@s.t.kkennel2325 .. any chance of photos and specs on the cars 💯🙏👌

    • @dougperry2211
      @dougperry2211 Před 2 lety

      That building is an automotive treasure and shrine to some of the greatest muscle cars ever .

  • @upnorth6722
    @upnorth6722 Před 3 lety +3

    Best vid on You Tube today . GREAT story . Peace from Up North .

  • @beakittelscherz5419
    @beakittelscherz5419 Před 2 lety +1

    This must be the sadest looking man I´ve ever seen...
    I hope this car will cheer him up, may give him some good vibrations to see foreward too.
    Good Luck Mr. Weaver. You deserve some Fun too !

  • @wardfertuck9331
    @wardfertuck9331 Před 3 lety +5

    Jerry once again you outdid yourself. Thank you for this and all of the other heartwarming stories you bring us. Nobody does it better than you sir. Stand and take a bow as it is well deserved! Sending ❤️ from a 🇨🇦 gearhead!

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +5

      Thanks Ward, and I want to thank all the people in the video. They did so much work out of their passion for this hobby. But, do you know how much pizza they consume in western PA? I kept thinking, what another pizza place, seriously, and they would say, oh, you can get spaghetti!!

    • @highadventur
      @highadventur Před rokem

      @@thewriter2549 That's a funny side story. Thanks. 🤣

  • @moparedtn
    @moparedtn Před 3 lety +23

    JERRY!
    Man alive, what an incredible story - and as you and very few other auto journalists understand,
    the human part of it is what's the most heartwarming and fascinating.
    The cars, as rare and cool as we ever remember them, are certainly special and valuable - but
    the people involved, the STORIES behind the cars, that's what makes this hobby so dang special.
    Again, THANK YOU Jerry for bringing us these stories.
    I really do appreciate your efforts, always have.
    God bless,
    -Ed on the Ridge

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +2

      Thanks Ed, I'm having so much more fun doing videos compared to magazine articles for the last 38 years and that's because of the feedback and the fact I have the space to tell a story. I had to jamb a story into 4 pages. I'd like to do a video on writing and photographing over 6,000 magazine articles on cars.

    • @moparedtn
      @moparedtn Před 3 lety +1

      @@thewriter2549
      Absolutely. It must be extremely liberating for a journalist such as yourself to know that a)there's no space limitation and b)no editor! :-)
      That's another video you'd have a unique angle on for sure. I look forward to seeing that one, too!
      -Ed

  • @joeydiluccia788
    @joeydiluccia788 Před 3 lety +3

    Truly awesome story 👍

  • @DaveRyan1974
    @DaveRyan1974 Před 2 lety +1

    What an amazing story with an amazing car and a beautiful restoration thank you so much for sharing I enjoyed this so much!

  • @timmclaughlin3314
    @timmclaughlin3314 Před 3 lety +2

    Wonderful car and wonderful story. Good folks there! I know there was a fortune spent on it and it is super rare but fire that sumbich up and drive it. It's an insult to it to push it around like it's a dead player.

  • @alangee79010
    @alangee79010 Před 3 lety +6

    Pretty amazing walk through history that has long since disappeared! That is one sexy buggy that is priceless.

  • @tho464
    @tho464 Před 3 lety +5

    Love the story...Thank you for sharing.

  • @pats72z28
    @pats72z28 Před 3 lety +4

    Absolutely beautiful 1967 Yenko Camaro! I love it I wish I would have been 19 and bought one then! I was 5! lol Camaros are in my blood from Day one !~ I own a few second generation Z28s. One being a numbers matching 72 Z28 RS...... But it sure doesn't come close to this Camaro but it was the lowest production Z28 built between 1970-1981! Kudos guys` Thanks for sharing~

  • @texasbasementbuilds4543
    @texasbasementbuilds4543 Před 3 lety +3

    Incredible car and even a more incredible history and back story.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for your kind words. Doug and Frank did a lot of work to make this possible.

  • @jimfoley
    @jimfoley Před 3 lety +3

    I grew up in Canonsburg. I rode, biked or walked by Yenko Chevrolet in the early 70s several times a week I was a kid. I asked my dad one time why the Chevy dealer had his own name on all the cars.

  • @jbenson7300
    @jbenson7300 Před 3 lety +4

    How can you not like this video. This brought tears to my eyes. I’m sure mr weaver father would be proud.

  • @stephenabril7084
    @stephenabril7084 Před 3 lety +29

    I just wish he would start the darn thing . All that waiting and you don’t even start it , holy crap

    • @hasibmomen3570
      @hasibmomen3570 Před 3 lety +4

      History is important, but so is the sound of the Car.

    • @sanookaus1334
      @sanookaus1334 Před 3 lety +3

      What a joke, all these people pushing it around. They told him to get in and start then F.A.

    • @TheNine6
      @TheNine6 Před 3 lety +3

      Skipped video after read this..

    • @stephenabril7084
      @stephenabril7084 Před 3 lety

      @Alpha Worx cars are meant to be driven

    • @stephenabril7084
      @stephenabril7084 Před 3 lety

      @Alpha Worx they can do whatever they want with their property. If someone has an opinion ( like you?) or anyone else it’s not small minded it’s just their opinion.

  • @luke3757
    @luke3757 Před 3 lety +7

    Great story Jerry. 🏁👍

  • @shadvan9494
    @shadvan9494 Před 3 lety +5

    Man, what a awesome story. and a awesome car. it has a lot of unusual items like the being blue with red interior. also it got the L-36 390HP 427 instead of the L72 425HP 427. Every Yenko I have seen got the L72. so that very cool that it got the L36. I did not realize they did a L36 swap car. that plenum induction air cleaner is cool too. I have seen a couple of Z/28 with those, but never a big block car. amazing that the entire car was there after being torn apart for so long.

    • @thewriter2549
      @thewriter2549  Před 3 lety +1

      Couldn't agree more!

    • @Eric-qd1ot
      @Eric-qd1ot Před 3 lety +1

      Interesting fact... is that the same engine that would go in a Caprice/Impala? Still fast 12.6 sec qtr...

  • @jessicagreene1773
    @jessicagreene1773 Před 3 lety +4

    Great story and I can see the sentimental value that the original owner had here. The car reminds me of the 1971 GSS Dodge Demon that was ordered with a blue body, black vinyl top and the order form incorrectly was filled out for a red interior. It was built that way and an error but actually looked pretty cool.

    • @dalewalker4614
      @dalewalker4614 Před 3 lety +1

      The guys on the assembly line probably got a kick out of it.

  • @damxgopak457
    @damxgopak457 Před 3 lety +5

    That was an awesome story.closest thing to an actual time machine.

  • @yamahaxs6501
    @yamahaxs6501 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow! I have a friend who did some of the work while working at Arone's. He told me this was amazing to be a part of. I grew up right near there.