Yenko Nameplate to Make Return to Muscle Car Tuning

While many fans of the new Camaro are just happy knowing the muscle car has made a successful return, others are still asking for more. The Z28 version of the new and improved pony car is still in limbo, and for some people the 422 horsepower V8 isn't enough to satisfy their right foot. A revival of the Yenko nameplate might just do the trick though.

The famous Yenko name was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at the Don Yenko Chevrolet Dealership. By using Chevy's Central Office Production Order Program, better known as COPO, Yenko was able to create some of the fastest and most powerful Chevrolets of the time.

The COPO program was used mainly for ordering fleet vehicles and police cruisers, which gave Yenko access to the highest performance engines available on the market. Among the more well known examples of such vehicles is the 1986 Yenko Camaro, which came from the Canonsburg Dealership equipped with a potent 450 horsepower 427 cubic inch powerplant. Sadly, vehicles such as these came to a halt in 1981 due to increasing demand for smaller, more efficient cars.

Skip ahead to the 2010 model year and rumors are spreading that the iconic Camaro may once again bear the Yenko name. A custom built 2009 Camaro called the Yenko Stage I was introduced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, which has led many to believe there will be a Stage II and possibly a Stage III.

The Yenko trademark is currently owned by General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI), a marketing firm owned by Jeff Leonard. He plans on using his firm as a starting point to reestablish the Yenko name. In an official announcement made a few weeks back, Mr. Leonard made it clear he planned on building several one-off cars, as well as introduce a new line of Yenko memorabilia.

There is no official word on how many vehicles will be made, or how the firm plans on marketing the upcoming line.