[1]Name recognition is a big deal in automotive circles, especially when it comes to limited edition, high-performance muscle/pony cars. That said, a rare few of the most potent and smile-inducing GM machines from the late-‘60s, donned the Yenko name.
Fast-forward to present day, and another highly-touted pony car performance purveyor, known as (SVE) Specialty Vehicle Engineering [2], is paying homage to the great Yenko supercars, by licensing the name and building a limited run of 50 2017 Yenko/SC Camaros.
If SVE doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps changing the letters to the rhyming trio of it’s former business name-SLP may jar your senses. Founded by NHRA racer Ed Hamburger, (SLP) Street Legal Performance [3], is famous for it’s GM tier-1 status in developing and assembling the WS6 Ram Air Trans Am package from 1996-’97, and the Camaro SS from 1996-’02. Even more noteworthy is SLP’s third- and fourth-gen Firebird Firehawks. Built from 1992-2002, they stand as some of the finest and fiercest Firebirds ever.
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As with Don Yenko’s original 427-cid creations, the 2017 sixth-gen Yenko/SC Camaro offers an impressive engine build-up as its feature element. Starting with an SS model, the factory 6.2L/376-cid LT1 is bored to 416-cubes (6.8L) and up-gunned with a 4340 forged steel crank and H-beam rods, forged aluminum pistons, CNC ported and polished LT1 heads and the Z06-Vette’s LT4 fuel system and injectors. The real icing on this delicious computer-balanced-and-blueprinted cake however, is a custom fabricated SVE 2.9-liter twin screw supercharger. After a custom computer tune, all the massaging equates to a Hellcat-pouncing 800-hp/750-lb/ft, in manual or automatic guise, and is covered under a 3-yr/36,000 mile warranty.
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Getting the supercharged grunt to the ground is handled by the top SS Camaro’s beefed-up stabilizer bars and third-generation magnetic ride control shocks. Hauling-down the big pony from forced-induced speeds are six-piston Brembo brake calipers, clamping-around 14.6-inch rotors and the Yenko/SC gets unique gunmetal gray-painted 20×10-inch torque-thrust-style five-spoke wheels wrapped in white-lettered Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car rubber, 285/35R20 in front and steamroller-size 305/35R20s out back.
As significant as what makes it roar, grip and stop, are the myriad of appearance enhancements that are not only incredible-looking, but leave no doubt to the great lineage of this awesome Camaro. First and foremost is the body-color-painted carbon fiber hood, a definite throwback to the classic Yenko cars from the ‘60s, complete with “800HP” call-out cowl badges.
All SS Camaro colors are available, as are seven stripe choices, equaling 70 possible combinations for the only 50 Yenko/SC Camaros to be built. With that, there will most definitely be a couple of one-of-ones in the lot. Further standard goodies include the aforementioned hood and side stripes, Yenko crest and “800HP” engine cover and brake caliper badges.
As if that wasn’t enough, a lengthy options list includes more Yenko exterior badges, Yenko crest “800HP” floor mats and “sYc” stitched head rests, Yenko/SC door sill plates, vehicle build number badge and two key fobs, a flat black-painted spoiler, a faux leather portfolio with owners manual, window sticker and manufacturers certificate of origin, and last but not least, a handful of seat trim colors including hounds tooth in white or orange-whew.
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The cost for all of this rare, powerful and aesthetically pleasing nostalgia is around $40k, on top of an SS Camaro’s $37,000 base price. It’s safe to say that for 80-grand, you don’t only get a great Camaro with the performance and style to live-up to its great name, you’ll most probably get a low-10-second car as well… I’d love mine in blue with white stripes and red interior, please.
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