Built upon a lightweight, base-trim Nova with bench seats and rubber floor mats, each Yenko Deuce was assembled at the factory with the impressive LT-1 engine, dual exhaust, power brakes with front discs, heavy-duty springs, front and rear sway bars, and an upgraded cooling system. Power met the road through a robust 12-bolt Positraction rear differential with a unique 4.10:1 gear ratio, while discerning customers had the choice of either the Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission or Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, both fitted with special race shifters. Upon arrival at Yenko’s Canonsburg, PA, dealership, his team of mechanics finalized the metamorphosis from COPO Novas to Yenko Deuces by outfitting them with SS wheels, a Dixco hood tachometer and Yenko’s array of distinctive badges, decals and stripes.
The story of this authentic Yenko Deuce begins in 1970 at Ammon R. Smith Chevrolet of York, PA, some 225 miles from Yenko’s dealership. The automatic model languished for over a year on Smith’s showroom floor until it caught the attention of local muscle-car fanatics Alan and Brenda Baldwin. The Baldwins drove a hard bargain and ultimately acquired the one-year-old new car for $4,600.
The Cranberry Red Yenko Deuce, one of just 175 built for 1970, quickly won Brenda’s affection and became her daily driver for nearly two decades. In the late 1980s, after 17 years and over 123,000 miles together, she retired the Deuce to dry-storage at her home.
Today, it presents wonderfully in its correct color combination of Cranberry Red over black vinyl, retaining details specific to Nova Yenkos, such as the hood-mounted tachometer, exterior graphics and badges. Further, it is equipped with a correct 350-ci LT-1 V8 engine, Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission and 12-bolt Positraction rear differential, currently fitted with 3.50:1 gears. The original 4.10:1 gears are included in the sale, along with a 2024 Certificate of Authenticity issued by marque expert Jerry MacNeish.
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
