The Yenko Chevrolets are legendary. Don Yenko, who had raced Corvettes in the ’50s and ’60s, set up a performance shop at his family’s Chevrolet Dealership in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. There, much like Fred Gibb was doing in LaHarpe, Illinois, he took advantage of the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program to create small-batch racing versions of Corvairs, Camaros, Chevelles and Novas. These Yenko Super Cars included engine upgrades (usually big-blocks) as well as high-performace rear-ends and racing supension – as well as the now-famous custom Yenko speed stripes. The ’69 Yenko 427 Super Nova could do 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
In 1970, when high insurance premiums and the Clean Air Act began to put a damper on the Super Cars, Don Yenko created the Deuce Nova, powered by the ’70 LT1/Z28 350. It featured a Muncie four-speed manual or a Turbo 400 automatic with upgraded suspension and rear-end.
From the Johnny Lightning 2005 Hollywood on Wheels series, this model represents a Yenko Deuce Nova from the 2003 version of The Italian Job. Though it’s a great movie, the Deuce Nova, driven by Jason Statham’s character, Handsome Rob, only appeared for a relatively short scene.
There are a few problems with this JL Yenko Nova. Let’s just ignore the fact that the “U” in “DEUCE” is upside-down on the hood of the car. Other than that, the real-life Yenko Deuce Nova was a 1970 model (not 1969) – and black wasn’t an available color. But I guess they were trying create a replica of the movie car, which was apparently not a genuine Yenko Deuce. Either way, it’s a really great-looking car and I’m happy to have it in my collection.
Johnny Lightning | 2005 | Hollywood on Wheels R6 The Italian Job (Handsome Rob’s Car) | 1969 Chevy Yenko Deuce Nova | black with white Yenko trim, opening hood
The Race Case JL 