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In accessing the YenkoStinger.org or COPO.com (Sites), Users are granted a restricted license of use thereof. This license grants Users a restricted and non-exclusive entitlement of use for private purposes only with regard the Site's content. In this respect, Users are granted only the right to display the site on a single-station screen. Pursuant to laws governing the rights of literary and artistic property (copyright) or related rights, the display and/or reproduction of all or a part of Site components are strictly prohibited outside the afore-mentioned stipulations. In this respect, subject to the rights granted by the present directions and in the absence of formal, written and prior authorization from YenkoStinger.org, any reproduction, copying, change and/or exploitation together with any usage of all or a part of Site content on any medium whatsoever, for whatever reason and in whatever form, is strictly prohibited. Any request for authorization should be forwarded to the following e-mail address: zoomin69@gmail.com. Any unauthorized use shall constitute an infringement of copyright punishable by applicable laws. Furthermore, all the brands mentioned on the Site are trademarks and as such are protected. No use of any one of these trademarks may be made without the prior, express and written consent of YenkoStinger.org, under pain of infringement of copyright. Moreover, no hypertext link to the Site and/or the pages contained therein may be made by the User on his or her own site without the express and written agreement of YenkoStinger.org. Any request for such authorization should be forwarded to the following e-mail address: zoomin69@gmail.com
November 12, 1965 Press Publication of Stinger
During 1965, Don Yenko was having his share of problems. His Corvette was being outclassed by the lighter, Ford powered Shelby products. He needed Chevrolet to build a more competitive car. But after many discussions with the Corporate office, nothing was forthcoming. Don then decided, if Carol Shelby could produce his own race car, so could he!
Don chose to build his race car using the rear-engine Corvair, which had undergone a suspension upgrade in 1965. He approached the SCCA with the idea, but they said sorry, the Corvair is a sedan, not a sports car. Undaunted, Don suggested that by removing the back seat, and making improvements in the engine, brakes and suspension, he would "re-manufacture" the Corvairs into Sports Cars and call them Stingers.
SCCA tentatively agreed to Don's request, but indicated in manufacturing this sports car, there needed to be 100 cars produced. One hundred was SCCA's minimum production requirement. And further, if Yenko was to compete in the 1966 season, these cars had to be completed before the 1966 race season started!
It was toward the end of November, 1965 when Don got the approval from SCCA. He had only one month to purchase and modify 100 cars. However, he was so determined to have a winning season, 100 Ermine white Chevy Corvair Corsa's ended up in his back lot in mid December with Yenko Serial Numbers on them! It appears that there were also 5 prototype Stingers built prior to receiving the Corsa shipment. One is pictured in the brochures, and another was pictured at the Alcoa Building on December 7-9th.
Yenko ordered these 100 Corsa's through the Central office, with the following options:
1966
10737 - Corsa 2D sport coupe
3900CC - Ermine white
3F41AA - special suspension equip
3G81AA- positraction axle 3.55
3M20BB - 4 speed transmission
3N44AA - special steering equip
3758DA - black vinyl trim
9513A - positraction axle 3.89 **
9681E - independent brake unit
** Only 50 of the cars were ordered with this COPO Option.
3G81AA was not included when 9513A was ordered.
The remaining 50 had 3.55's.
The COPO 3.89 positraction differential was not available for any other Corvair in 1966, but it could be purchased over the counter at Chevrolet.
These 100 Corvairs were one of the first Chevrolets to have a factory dual master Cylinder.
STINGER TREATMENT
Yenko's plan for the 1966 Stinger was to add fiberglass landau panels and a deck lid with an integral spoiler. Then he would remove all Corsa and Chevrolet emblems, filling the holes in with lead and plastic filler. These areas and parts were then painted Ermine white. To complete the exterior, a set of tri-stripes in blue would be added, along with 3 stinger decals. There appears to be a variation in the color of blue paint used in production, from medium blue to a darker blue.
On the inside, the back seat would be removed, replaced with a plywood board and a mat. The interior emblems remained. On a number of cars, the glove box emblem was removed, and the Stinger embossed decal was applied. Gauges were installed at the customers request.
To dress up the engine compartment, headers were added, as well as a deep aluminum oil pan. This was finished off with new individual chrome air cleaners.
A number of the 100 COPO's never went through the entire conversion process. Jack Brenner, the original owner of YS-065, ordered his Stinger as a Stage II, but chose to add only the rear deck lid to his car. YS-022 received no exterior treatment, but the owner put his money toward a Stage II engine.
SCCA
A SCCA representative actually came out to Yenko's dealership to look at the cars. After he left, Don had to wait 9 days before getting confirmation that the cars were accepted.
But the Yenko team was not overjoyed upon receiving the news. Evidently, SCCA decided that the Stingers should be placed in Class D, which was dominated four years in a row by a Triumph TR-4A. It would be nearly impossible to win in that class with a Stinger.
However, Don went to work on a Stage III 220 horsepower version, while at the same time, put out a substantial effort to sell the remaining Stingers. One thing Don had going for him was the fact that SCCA would only allow serial numbered Stingers to compete in their events. In other words, they had to buy Don's cars if they wanted to race.
Jerry Thompson was the driver for the first race of the season at Marlboro in January, 1966, and the Stinger came within one second of the current pacesetter, a TR4.
After this race, Don asked Jerry Thompson to compete for Yenko with the new Stinger, and Jerry went on to to win the Division Championship that year. However, he placed only 5th in the Nationals. By 1967, Thompson had what it took to pull off the Class D National Championship, which was sealed at the Daytona ARRC.
Don worked with Central Chevrolet in Canada to supply 1966 Stingers for them. Paperwork shows at least three Stingers at the dealership, including Mo Carter's race car.
Late in 1966, Don placed an order for 25 COPO 1967 Corvairs. This new batch, built in February, 1967, had an added feature: they came in Marina Blue or Bolero Red! It appears that SCCA eliminated the mandatory white color for US cars starting in 1967.
1967
Since the Corsa had been discontinued at the end of the 1966 model year, these new cars were ordered as Monzas.
There was also an additional problem. Chevrolet had discontinued the 140 HP option for model year 1967. Yenko was extremely upset. He needed this optional engine to be competitive. Well, by the time these Stingers were built, they did have COPO 140 engines.
OPTIONS:
3900FF - Marina Blue (Bolero Red Code RR)
3F41AA - heavy duty suspension
3M20BC - four speed transmission
3N44AA - special steering
3758AA - black interior trim
9513A - 3:89 positraction differential
9551B - 140 special performance engine
9981A- wheel cover deletion
The new, simplified Monza dash lacked the Corsa tachometer and gauges, so Don ordered Stewart-Warner 970-E tachometers and installed them in the new cars. He also made available oil pressure and temperature gauges and an ammeter gauge for an additional $79.00. Dual master cylinders became a standard option for Corvairs in 1967.
In total, Chevrolet eventually sold 232 COPO 9551B 140 engines equipped with manual transmissions, and 47 140's with Powerglides. It is believed that 25 COPO Monza's were ordered by Yenko for the Stinger project, but only fourteen 4-speed cars with this option were turned into Stingers.
1968
It appears that two Stingers were built. They have not surfaced.
1969
A very special Yenko Stinger (YS-9700) was made in 1969. It wasn’t a Corsa or a Monza, but started out as a plain Jane model 500 coupe. It did not receive the classic rear window panels or fiberglass deck lid, or even the dark blue Tri-Stripes. But what it did receive was awesome! Yenko started out by installing a Stage IV engine, a special COPO for the 3.27:1 axle, S.C.C.A approved roll bar, heavy duty suspension, quick steering, and front and rear stabilizers. He then added a 24 gallon fuel tank, metallic sintered brakes, and front mounted oil cooler.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company had special ordered this car for some tire tests, and paid Yenko $5,021.65 for the privilege of taking ownership. Goodyear then welded steel scatter shields inside the wheel wells, and went out to test tires.
Don chose to build his race car using the rear-engine Corvair, which had undergone a suspension upgrade in 1965. He approached the SCCA with the idea, but they said sorry, the Corvair is a sedan, not a sports car. Undaunted, Don suggested that by removing the back seat, and making improvements in the engine, brakes and suspension, he would "re-manufacture" the Corvairs into Sports Cars and call them Stingers.
SCCA tentatively agreed to Don's request, but indicated in manufacturing this sports car, there needed to be 100 cars produced. One hundred was SCCA's minimum production requirement. And further, if Yenko was to compete in the 1966 season, these cars had to be completed before the 1966 race season started!
It was toward the end of November, 1965 when Don got the approval from SCCA. He had only one month to purchase and modify 100 cars. However, he was so determined to have a winning season, 100 Ermine white Chevy Corvair Corsa's ended up in his back lot in mid December with Yenko Serial Numbers on them! It appears that there were also 5 prototype Stingers built prior to receiving the Corsa shipment. One is pictured in the brochures, and another was pictured at the Alcoa Building on December 7-9th.
Yenko ordered these 100 Corsa's through the Central office, with the following options:
1966
10737 - Corsa 2D sport coupe
3900CC - Ermine white
3F41AA - special suspension equip
3G81AA- positraction axle 3.55
3M20BB - 4 speed transmission
3N44AA - special steering equip
3758DA - black vinyl trim
9513A - positraction axle 3.89 **
9681E - independent brake unit
** Only 50 of the cars were ordered with this COPO Option.
3G81AA was not included when 9513A was ordered.
The remaining 50 had 3.55's.
The COPO 3.89 positraction differential was not available for any other Corvair in 1966, but it could be purchased over the counter at Chevrolet.
These 100 Corvairs were one of the first Chevrolets to have a factory dual master Cylinder.
STINGER TREATMENT
Yenko's plan for the 1966 Stinger was to add fiberglass landau panels and a deck lid with an integral spoiler. Then he would remove all Corsa and Chevrolet emblems, filling the holes in with lead and plastic filler. These areas and parts were then painted Ermine white. To complete the exterior, a set of tri-stripes in blue would be added, along with 3 stinger decals. There appears to be a variation in the color of blue paint used in production, from medium blue to a darker blue.
On the inside, the back seat would be removed, replaced with a plywood board and a mat. The interior emblems remained. On a number of cars, the glove box emblem was removed, and the Stinger embossed decal was applied. Gauges were installed at the customers request.
To dress up the engine compartment, headers were added, as well as a deep aluminum oil pan. This was finished off with new individual chrome air cleaners.
A number of the 100 COPO's never went through the entire conversion process. Jack Brenner, the original owner of YS-065, ordered his Stinger as a Stage II, but chose to add only the rear deck lid to his car. YS-022 received no exterior treatment, but the owner put his money toward a Stage II engine.
SCCA
A SCCA representative actually came out to Yenko's dealership to look at the cars. After he left, Don had to wait 9 days before getting confirmation that the cars were accepted.
But the Yenko team was not overjoyed upon receiving the news. Evidently, SCCA decided that the Stingers should be placed in Class D, which was dominated four years in a row by a Triumph TR-4A. It would be nearly impossible to win in that class with a Stinger.
However, Don went to work on a Stage III 220 horsepower version, while at the same time, put out a substantial effort to sell the remaining Stingers. One thing Don had going for him was the fact that SCCA would only allow serial numbered Stingers to compete in their events. In other words, they had to buy Don's cars if they wanted to race.
Jerry Thompson was the driver for the first race of the season at Marlboro in January, 1966, and the Stinger came within one second of the current pacesetter, a TR4.
After this race, Don asked Jerry Thompson to compete for Yenko with the new Stinger, and Jerry went on to to win the Division Championship that year. However, he placed only 5th in the Nationals. By 1967, Thompson had what it took to pull off the Class D National Championship, which was sealed at the Daytona ARRC.
Don worked with Central Chevrolet in Canada to supply 1966 Stingers for them. Paperwork shows at least three Stingers at the dealership, including Mo Carter's race car.
Late in 1966, Don placed an order for 25 COPO 1967 Corvairs. This new batch, built in February, 1967, had an added feature: they came in Marina Blue or Bolero Red! It appears that SCCA eliminated the mandatory white color for US cars starting in 1967.
1967
Since the Corsa had been discontinued at the end of the 1966 model year, these new cars were ordered as Monzas.
There was also an additional problem. Chevrolet had discontinued the 140 HP option for model year 1967. Yenko was extremely upset. He needed this optional engine to be competitive. Well, by the time these Stingers were built, they did have COPO 140 engines.
OPTIONS:
3900FF - Marina Blue (Bolero Red Code RR)
3F41AA - heavy duty suspension
3M20BC - four speed transmission
3N44AA - special steering
3758AA - black interior trim
9513A - 3:89 positraction differential
9551B - 140 special performance engine
9981A- wheel cover deletion
The new, simplified Monza dash lacked the Corsa tachometer and gauges, so Don ordered Stewart-Warner 970-E tachometers and installed them in the new cars. He also made available oil pressure and temperature gauges and an ammeter gauge for an additional $79.00. Dual master cylinders became a standard option for Corvairs in 1967.
In total, Chevrolet eventually sold 232 COPO 9551B 140 engines equipped with manual transmissions, and 47 140's with Powerglides. It is believed that 25 COPO Monza's were ordered by Yenko for the Stinger project, but only fourteen 4-speed cars with this option were turned into Stingers.
1968
It appears that two Stingers were built. They have not surfaced.
1969
A very special Yenko Stinger (YS-9700) was made in 1969. It wasn’t a Corsa or a Monza, but started out as a plain Jane model 500 coupe. It did not receive the classic rear window panels or fiberglass deck lid, or even the dark blue Tri-Stripes. But what it did receive was awesome! Yenko started out by installing a Stage IV engine, a special COPO for the 3.27:1 axle, S.C.C.A approved roll bar, heavy duty suspension, quick steering, and front and rear stabilizers. He then added a 24 gallon fuel tank, metallic sintered brakes, and front mounted oil cooler.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company had special ordered this car for some tire tests, and paid Yenko $5,021.65 for the privilege of taking ownership. Goodyear then welded steel scatter shields inside the wheel wells, and went out to test tires.
1-12-66 Pittsburg, PA Auto Show
This is a picture of one of the first Stingers being shown at the Pittsburg Auto Show in January, 1966.