The '60s and '70s were the years of hot rods and muscle cars, and no one took more interest in them than Don Yenko. He created his own speed shop from a Chevrolet dealership, which became 'Yenko Sportcars, Inc.' in 1947.
Don's love was Chevy cars, and this is where he broke apart from his dad's dealership to specialize in high performance automobiles for a customer base that was just emerging. Don would modify Camaros, Novas, and Vegas for his customers in ways that General Motors wouldn't. Speed parts could be ordered through his shop, or his crew would make the modifications themselves.
The Pontiac GTO, according to car buffs, was the first real muscle car to be built. In 1967, Don went all out in building the ultimate muscle car. He decided to drop a 427 cubic inch, 435-horsepower engine in the Chevelles and Novas. General Motors wouldn't do it, because they felt the car was just too small and too light for so much horsepower.
In the 1970s, high speed muscle car production slowed down due to higher insurance premiums. High performance car manufacturing was waning and smaller cars were being produced. Thus evolved the "Stinger II." Unfortunately, it never came to be due to strict EPA requirements. Don aborted the car's production.
Don Yenko ceased from putting out muscle cars in 1972, but they're still seen at the car shows in limited numbers. Don's cars are still cherished today, and muscle car enthusiasts still seek them out.
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