1968 Yenko Camaro
As the 45th Anniversary of the Yenko legacy draws near, General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced Wednesday its ownership of the classic Yenko trademark and its plans to revitalize the brand.
According to a press release issued from the company, Yenko owner, enthusiast and GMCI CEO Jeff Leonard, is consulting with several notable limited production vehicle companies in the automotive industry to jumpstart the project. They will be looking at possible new Yenko project cars as well as upcoming Yenko product lines.
GMCI says it 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 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 said he always had a keen interest in Detroit muscle culture. As a muscle car enthusiast and owner of an original 1968 Yenko Camaro, he says he shares the enthusiasm and excitement of many towards owning a unique piece of Yenko history.
Originally, the 60’s 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.
GMCI, headquartered in Westminster, Calif., is involved in direct marketing and trademark resources for the automotive industry, setting standards in licensing to ensure that brand owners are protected and trademarks are maintained. For more information contact GMCI Corporate Headquarters, P.O. Box 12049 Westminster, CA. 92683 or jleonard@gmcilicensing.com.
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