Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

Rare Muscle – Dennis Albaugh’s 1969 Yenko Camaro

The ownership chain of a rare muscle car that’s more than 50 years old is often non-existent, or sketchy at best. For Dennis Albaugh and his yellow 1969 Yenko Camaro, though, the ancestry is well documented.

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

The seven previous owners, and what they did or didn’t do with the rare Camaro, provide a detailed history of the vehicle’s life. In its early years the car campaigned as a SS/D stormer on the dragstrip. One timeslip from its early life shows a quarter-mile run of 11.69 seconds at 119mph.

Dennis is no stranger to Yenko Camaros. He owns six – one of each color offered. He also owns other Yenko models – include the rare Yenko Stinger Corvairs – as part of his vintage Chevrolet collection that numbers more than 180 vehicles. Why Yenkos? Dennis says he always liked them and when he was able to start his collection, Yenkos became prime prospects.

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro


One of 201 1969 Yenko Camaro’s to leave the dealership in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, this car was sold to the original owner in Mishawaka, Indiana. It is one of only 34 painted Daytona Yellow. The car was restored several years ago by noted Camaro expert Larry Christensen and sports the original engine and rearend. Powered by the 450-horsepower 427c.i. big block, the car has a Muncie M-21 close-ratio four-speed transmission and a 12-bolt Positraction rearend housing 4.10 gears.

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro
Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

The 1969 Yenko engines featured 11:1 compression, solid-lifter cam, and a dual-feed 800cfm Holley carburetor. All Yenko Camaros featured 15×7-inch Rally wheels with F70x15 Goodyear rubber, 13/16-inch front sway bars, 140mph speedometers, and power front disc brakes. Dennis’s Camaro had other options, including a black vinyl top, black interior, AM radio, and power steering. Front and rear spoilers were standard.

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro
Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

In addition to the iconic Yenko stripes, the ’69 Camaros also featured other trim modifications, like 427 emblems on both sides of the cowl induction hood bulge, and one on the rear panel replacing the Bow Tie emblem. Yenko emblems were added on the front fenders, too. The base interior (no console) is essentially stock except for the Yenko logos on the headrests and the Stewart Warner custom-face tachometer screwed to the left side of the dash.

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

Dennis Albaugh 1969 Yenko Camaro

Documented Yenko Camaros can sell today for $200,000 or higher, but when new they sold for $4,000 or more, depending on the options. A similarly optioned 1969 Z28 sold in the same range back then but doesn’t come close to the Yenko’s value today.

Photos by John Jackson & Damon Lee

Dave Doucette is a long-time Goodguys member with a career in newspaper, magazine and website journalism. He was one of the founding editors of USA TODAY, editor of two daily newspapers and co-owner of a magazine publishing and trade show company. He owns and operates Real Auto Media. His first car was a 1947 Ford; he has owned Camaros, Firebirds, El Caminos and a 1956 Chevy that was entered in shows from California to Florida before being sold last year. He was one of the original Goodguys Rodders Reps and served as president of two classic Chevy clubs. Doucette grew up in South Florida, avidly following the racing exploits of local hero Ollie Olsen and, of course, Don Garlits. He remembers riding his bicycle to Briggs Cunningham’s West Palm Beach factory to peak through the fence at his Sebring and LeMans racers.