1966 Yenko Stinger YS003
Original STAGE 3 Yenko






October 2011:  Obtained really interesting letter from 2nd owner Richard Finch to the Corvairs of New Mexico CORSA
chapter newsletter from 2009.  In it he details the purchase of YS003 from the original owner and his first Dprod race in
this Stinger.  Copy of letter and new period image of YS003 added to the page below

Spring 2011:  Big fun at Walter Mitty.  I drove the Stinger to Road Atlanta (1800 mile weekend) to watch James Reeves
and other vintage race Corvairs.  Car ran like a top and it was a very enjoyable weekend although I did have to stop at a
Walmart in Alabama for tires after hitting a very large pot hole in Mississippi.  Luckily no damage other than the tire.

Fall 2010 Update: With the help of my good friends Jeff Moore and John Gresham I installed a rare original Yenko
"single" close ratio transmission and a 3.27:1 ring and pinion.  3.27 is not original, but so much nicer to drive !










Summer 2010 Update: Just returned from showing the Stinger
at the International CORSA convention in IA. where YS003 was awarded a gold medallion and promoted to senior class
after being shown for the first time.

I bought this Stinger From Seth Emerson in 1990, immediately traded it for my first race car (YS199). I  bought it back
early in 2008 and finished the quality restoration started by the previous owner.

This is one of the most original, most accurately restored, best documented, and best optioned Yenko Stingers

One of the 100 Stingers built by Don Yenko in 1966 for homologation with the SCCA.  YS003 is one of only  four or five
cars documented to be ordered and delivered in STAGE 3, SCCA Dprod, race form by Yenko Chevrolet.  Like other
Stingers YS003 was a fleet ordered,  white, 1966 CORSA with HD suspension, quick steering box, and Yenko only
(special code) 3.89 ratio positraction differential. Like the others it was fitted by Yenko Chevrolet with wider 7" rear
wheels, special duel braking system, fiberglass decklid, fiberglass landau panels, and special Yenko ID tag.

Unlike the vast majority of Stingers, YS003 was additionally fitted by Yenko with a roll bar,  and with special Rochester
carbs bored by Yenko from 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch throats sitting atop a 190hp engine in place of the Stage 1 160hp unit.
Two additional 7" wheels were purchased from Yenko after the fact as documented by original invoice. This is also one
of only a few documented "stripe delete" cars delivered new without stripes.

YS003 was subject to a professional, rotisserie restoration. This Stinger has been restored to original condition, as
delivered by Yenko Chevrolet. 90% or more of the chrome trim, weatherstrip, rubber, grommets, knobs, etc are new old
stock GM (NOS).  A 2008 Sportscar Marketplace review stated that this car was in #1 condition.

YS003 has a known documented ownership history since new.  Including numerous copies of letters and photos from
early owners. It has been recorded and tracked in the Stinger registry since it's inception.

Additional documentation of YS003 comes from copy of the original Yenko Chevrolet order signed by Don Yenko and
the original second invoice for purchase from Yenko of the 7" front wheels it still wears.

Second owner, and author of many automotive books, Richard Finch featured  YS003 and photos of YS003 throughout
his book How to keep your Corvair Alive.

YS003 was rented for a brief cameo appearance in the Love Bug Movie Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.  Correspondence
from 3d owner Seth Emerson indicates that YS003 was driven on the movie set by Max Balchowski, builder of the Ole
Yaller specials.

Restored to as close to as delivered from Yenko Chevrolet, and as first raced in 1966 condition, YS003 could
authentically wear the Fitch type stripes installed by it's second owner, or the Stinger competition scheme installed by it's
3d and subsequent owners.

Note that decklid and landau panels are original, and that the car sits on 7" steel wheels as delivered.

This is the original body as verified by the hidden serial number stamped underneath the front sub-frame, and the
correct fleet ordered chassis tag still retained on the engine compartment frame edge.
On track circa 1967
Letter from original to second owner in
1969
Yenko Stinger YS003 Summer of 2008.

Inset: YS003 Summer of 1966 with 1st
owner at the wheel just a month after
purchase from Yenko Chevrolet.
YS003 vs. Herbie on the left and chasing Herbie's girlfriend on the right. From
Disney's Movie "Herbie goes to Monte Carlo"
YS003 wearing Yenko competition livery when in 3d owner's care.
Original title and assignment to second owner.
Restored engine compartment features original air cleaners on properly functioning big bore primaries and secondaries,
correctly date coded block.  Engine wears correct original Yenko oil pan, and even the crappy but correct original Yenko
unequal length headers.
Original SCCA racing logbooks
Letter and history from original owner Gus
Shaffer
Original Yenko Rollbar - Yes this
unique stripeless stage 3 Stinger was
originally delivered with a back seat!
Stage III description from original brochure
Enlarged high CFM carbs were $100 ea. times 4 carbs.  Not inexpensive in 1966
Not YS003, but my favorite ad
CORSA Convention thumbnail
Wearing the custom "Fitch" like stripes with 2nd owner at the wheel
Photos above are of the original Yenko YS003 order signed by Don Yenko when puchased in May of 1966 by Gus
Shaffer and a subsequent accessory order.
Letter from second owner, and author of How to Keep your Corvair Alive
Richard Finch published in the August 2009 edition of the Corvairs of New
Mexico Newsletter -Enchanted  Corvairs