As a young man back in the torrid 1950s and 1960s, Don Yenko learned the Chevrolet car and truck industry from his father, a very successful man in the industry. Both Yenkos liked Chevrolet performance, and roadracing was Don's forte. Knowing how to manipulate the almost unknown factory "Central Office Production Order" (COPO) program, he first ordered some special '65 Corvairs, named them Yenko Stingers, and went roadracing with customers and friends alike. Today, they are legendary.
His name is also legendary in Camaro, Chevelle, and Nova camps. In 1969, Yenko Jr. decided to build some SYC (Yenko Super Car) Super Novas in-house. A grand total of 37 ground-pounders were sold. All were originally L78 396 Novas. Twenty-eight had a transplanted 425hp 427. The remaining eight were still factory real-deal RPO L78 375hp 396s. Yenko knew from his first road test that the 427 Super Novas were lethal (that's a politically correct word for brutally fast and potentially dangerous). This is actually the terminology he used. And riding shotgun was not an especially fun experience. To say they were a "handful" like the '69 L72 427 Camaro would be a minimal definition.
Thirty-seven '69 Yenko 427 Super Nova's were sold new. Seven are known to exist today. Some magazines have even quoted Don Yenko as saying he probably shouldn't have built the '69 SYC 427 Super Novas. Well, he did. And as far as we know, everyone involved has lived happily ever after, change of underwear notwithstanding. Can you imagine going 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds? 0-100 mph probably came in at about 10 seconds, and 0-120 mph in perhaps 11 seconds. This was indeed REAL Chevrolet performance!
We believe that all through this time period Yenko was fighting with insurance agents who may have balked at insuring such blazingly fast Chevrolet Novas, Camaros, and Chevelles. Then, in 1970, he saw the proverbial writing on the wall. It was called the Clean Air Act of 1970. This new national legislation- combined with ultra-high-cost performance car insurance woes-made Don Yenko counter with the '70 LT1/Z28 350-powered Yenko Deuce Nova. It was a COPO, and it was advertised as a "mini musclecar." It supposedly flew under the performance car insurance premium radar.
The July 1982 issue of Super Chevy featured a story and cover photo of Reggie Jackson's '70 Yenko Deuce Nova. That was 25 years ago. Total '70 Yenko Deuce sales were said to be 175. The gem featured a Z28 Camaro/LT1 Corvette 350 engine, a Muncie four-speed manual or a Turbo 400 automatic transmission, F41 sport suspension, and a 12-bolt differential with a 4.10:1 Posi-traction. Rally wheels without trim rings were also part of the base package.
A total of eight exterior colors were offered: Gobi beige, Fathom blue, Citrus green, Forest green, Hugger orange, Cranberry red, Cortez silver, and Sunflower yellow. The only interior offered was a standard bench seat in black vinyl.
The Yenko Deuce was a blast to drive. It ran easy low 13s with headers and slicks. This was plenty quick.
It should be stated in this historical story that many Chevy enthusiasts then could not afford a '69 Yenko 427 Super Nova or even a '70 350 Yenko Deuce. But this is nothing new then or today.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
1967 " SUPER SNAKE " THE "1" AND ONLY "1" EVER PRODUCED
This car was ment to be produced in a limited amount of 50 units. But only one car was built, because of the price on $7,500 was similar to a Cobra 427. But this G.T.500 had a lightweight 427, tuned to 520 horsepower tough.
Carroll Shelby hit speeds over 170 miles per hour in this beast, at the Goodyear track in Texas where he was testing some tires with the car producing 520 horespower. That was groundbreaking specifications in 1967. And the Shelby Cobra, which actually killed this sweet car, could only do 140 miles per hour. At that speed all loose things in the cockpit and most of the top had left the car, and your eardrums was about to pull the white flag, partly because of wind and partly because of the sound of the high reving 427.
The car was equipted with thin-wide-thin Le Mans stripes as standard, thats the only way to recognize the Super Snake from a "common" '67 G.T.500.
The orginal 1967 Super Snake has been on eBay twice in 2002. The bids reached $169,000
Carrol Shleby has a motto, or a famous quote "First make history, then repeat it." To keep that promise he had to make a new Super Snake! So in 2003 he made a new Super Snake. A limited amount of 75 units.
725 horsepower, NOS and +185 miles per hour. That was groundbreaking specifications in 2003, and the car is equipted with the same thin-wide-thin Le Mans stripes as the orginal one from 67, that's the only way to recognize a Super Snake from a "common" '03 G.T.500"E", as the new one is called.
Carroll Shelby hit speeds over 170 miles per hour in this beast, at the Goodyear track in Texas where he was testing some tires with the car producing 520 horespower. That was groundbreaking specifications in 1967. And the Shelby Cobra, which actually killed this sweet car, could only do 140 miles per hour. At that speed all loose things in the cockpit and most of the top had left the car, and your eardrums was about to pull the white flag, partly because of wind and partly because of the sound of the high reving 427.
The car was equipted with thin-wide-thin Le Mans stripes as standard, thats the only way to recognize the Super Snake from a "common" '67 G.T.500.
The orginal 1967 Super Snake has been on eBay twice in 2002. The bids reached $169,000
Carrol Shleby has a motto, or a famous quote "First make history, then repeat it." To keep that promise he had to make a new Super Snake! So in 2003 he made a new Super Snake. A limited amount of 75 units.
725 horsepower, NOS and +185 miles per hour. That was groundbreaking specifications in 2003, and the car is equipted with the same thin-wide-thin Le Mans stripes as the orginal one from 67, that's the only way to recognize a Super Snake from a "common" '03 G.T.500"E", as the new one is called.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
2011 SUPER SNAKE vs 427 COBRA - BADDEST SHELBY EVER
Shelby Announces 725hp “Super Snake” Package for 2010 Mustang GT500
Are you a Mustang fan who finds the new 540-hp 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 just too tame? If so, Carroll Shelby has you covered. Citing continuing demand, Shelby Automobiles announced today that it will extend its popular “Super Snake” performance package to the latest GT500 ‘Stang, offering up to 725hp.
“We take great pride in engineering fast, fun cars that people love to drive,” said Shelby. “Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500. Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”
Shelby plans to keep the Mustang that bears his name out in front with a more powerful supercharger from Ford Racing good for 630hp, along with several other go-fast goodies. For the truly power-hungry, Shelby will upgrade you to a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger good for a monstrous 725hp. Along with more power, the Super Snake package also enhances braking and handling for an all-around higher-performing car.
“Since we introduced the Super Snake package for the GT500 in 2007, this Shelby has become the pinnacle of current generation muscle cars,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “While the stock GT500 is a fine car, serious enthusiasts know that they can come to us to make their Shelby even better. For those who crave a harder-edged Shelby, this is your car.”
Bring your new GT500 and your wallet out to Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, Nevada, or your local authorized Shelby Mod Shop and they’ll set you up with:
- Ford Racing handling pack including Dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace is standard for the Super Snake
- Ford Racing Supercharger upgrade kit producing over 630 HP and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque
- Borla exhaust system on the 630 HP Ford Racing Super Snake Package
- 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
- Either a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit producing 725 HP with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges
- JBA exhaust system on the 725 HP Super Snake Package
- An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack is also available
- Shelby-designed Alcoa 20-inch wheels
- Short-throw shifter
- Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors
- Front brake cooling ducts
- Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design
- Shelby signature Super Snake stripes
- “Shelby” lettering across the rear decklid
- “Super Snake” vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate
- Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats, and other Shelby-designed components
- Each car will be entered in the official Shelby registry
Shelby says they’ll only make a limited number of 2010 “Super Snake” Mustang GT500s, so you’ll want to get your order in quick. For the mild, 630-hp package, expect to lay down $29,495 on top of your GT500′s purchase price for all the parts and professional installation. Go wild with the 725-hp package and you’ll need to drop $33,495. The Super Snake package can only be installed by an authorized Shelby Mod Shop, but the company is planning to make some components from the package available for sale and private installation later this year.
Are you a Mustang fan who finds the new 540-hp 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 just too tame? If so, Carroll Shelby has you covered. Citing continuing demand, Shelby Automobiles announced today that it will extend its popular “Super Snake” performance package to the latest GT500 ‘Stang, offering up to 725hp.
“We take great pride in engineering fast, fun cars that people love to drive,” said Shelby. “Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500. Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”
Shelby plans to keep the Mustang that bears his name out in front with a more powerful supercharger from Ford Racing good for 630hp, along with several other go-fast goodies. For the truly power-hungry, Shelby will upgrade you to a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger good for a monstrous 725hp. Along with more power, the Super Snake package also enhances braking and handling for an all-around higher-performing car.
“Since we introduced the Super Snake package for the GT500 in 2007, this Shelby has become the pinnacle of current generation muscle cars,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “While the stock GT500 is a fine car, serious enthusiasts know that they can come to us to make their Shelby even better. For those who crave a harder-edged Shelby, this is your car.”
Bring your new GT500 and your wallet out to Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, Nevada, or your local authorized Shelby Mod Shop and they’ll set you up with:
- Ford Racing handling pack including Dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace is standard for the Super Snake
- Ford Racing Supercharger upgrade kit producing over 630 HP and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque
- Borla exhaust system on the 630 HP Ford Racing Super Snake Package
- 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
- Either a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit producing 725 HP with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges
- JBA exhaust system on the 725 HP Super Snake Package
- An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack is also available
- Shelby-designed Alcoa 20-inch wheels
- Short-throw shifter
- Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors
- Front brake cooling ducts
- Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design
- Shelby signature Super Snake stripes
- “Shelby” lettering across the rear decklid
- “Super Snake” vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate
- Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats, and other Shelby-designed components
- Each car will be entered in the official Shelby registry
Shelby says they’ll only make a limited number of 2010 “Super Snake” Mustang GT500s, so you’ll want to get your order in quick. For the mild, 630-hp package, expect to lay down $29,495 on top of your GT500′s purchase price for all the parts and professional installation. Go wild with the 725-hp package and you’ll need to drop $33,495. The Super Snake package can only be installed by an authorized Shelby Mod Shop, but the company is planning to make some components from the package available for sale and private installation later this year.
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