What is a 1966-67 Yenko Stinger?
What is the Yenko Corvair Stinger?​
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The 1966 Yenko Stinger Corvair is a special edition of the Chevrolet Corvair, modified by Chevrolet’s Central Office (COPO) and further enhanced by Yenko Chevrolet, known for performance upgrades in the 1960s.
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Designed for SCCA Racing
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The Yenko Stinger was built to compete in SCCA racing, featuring a special suspension system, performance tires, and a modified engine, along with visual upgrades like distinctive striping and badging.
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How were the Yenko Stingers modified?
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Available in multiple configurations, the Stinger’s most powerful model, the Stage II, featured a turbocharged engine producing over 220 horsepower.
How many ​Yenko Stingers were made?
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It’s estimated that around 100 Yenko Stinger Corvairs were produced in 1966, with production numbers being somewhat unclear due to incomplete records.
Production numbers for the 1967 Yenko Stinger Corvair are not entirely clear, but it's believed that fewer were produced than the previous year's model. This is partly due to the fact that Yenko Chevrolet was shifting its focus to other performance vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Chevelle.​
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Body Styles and Trims
The Stinger came in coupe and convertible body styles, with coupes being the more common, while the Stage II model was the rarest and most sought-after version. Around 20 convertibles were produced.
The production numbers for each version and trim level are not clear, but it's known that the Stage II model was the rarest and most desirable.​
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Changes for 1967 Model Year
For 1967, the Yenko Stinger saw an engine switch to a 165-horsepower 6-cylinder engine and the introduction of the Yenko Stinger II, featuring additional performance enhancements.
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This engine replaced the turbocharged engine from the previous year's Stage II model, which had proven to be difficult to maintain and tune for many drivers.
Another change for the 1967 model year was the addition of a new trim level, the Yenko Stinger II. This model featured a range of performance upgrades, including a high-performance camshaft, an upgraded carburetor, and an improved suspension system. The Stinger II was estimated to produce around 190 horsepower.
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Collectible and Valuable Today
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Surviving Yenko Stinger Corvairs are highly collectible and can fetch significant sums at auctions or in private sales.
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Yenko’s Performance Legacy
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Yenko’s modifications to the Corvair Stinger are often regarded as a precursor to the muscle car movement. By focusing on not just speed but also handling and visual appeal, Yenko transformed the Corvair into a serious contender on the race track, elevating it from a standard commuter car to a performance icon.
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Learn More in Matt Avery’s COPO Book
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The creation and legacy of the Yenko Stinger Corvair is explored in-depth in Matt Avery's best-selling book, COPO.​​
Yenko Stinger Component Breakdown by Stage
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Stage I – Street / Entry Competition
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Approx. 160 hp
Engine & Drivetrain
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164-ci air-cooled flat-6
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Higher-compression pistons (mild increase over stock)
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Performance camshaft
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Free-flow exhaust / headers
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4-speed manual transmission
Chassis & Safety
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Heavy-duty suspension components
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Dual-master-cylinder brake system
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Positraction differential (often 3.89:1)
Purpose
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Street-driven performance
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Entry-level SCCA eligibility
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Stage II – Enhanced Performance
Approx. 190 hp
Engine Upgrades
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Higher compression ratio
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Improved carburetion
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Revised ignition timing
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Better breathing via intake and exhaust tuning
Instrumentation
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Full gauge package (tachometer, oil temp, oil pressure)
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Yenko identification badging
Purpose
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Balanced street and track use
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Most “livable” Stinger configuration
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Stage III – SCCA-Focused Build
Approx. 220 hp
Engine Internals
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Forged pistons
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Ported and polished cylinder heads
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More aggressive camshaft
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High-performance distributor
Drivetrain
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Close-ratio 4-speed
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Limited-slip differential standard
Purpose
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Designed specifically for SCCA D-Production
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Minimal compromise toward street use
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Stage IV – Full Race Specification
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Approx. 240 hp
Engine
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Blueprinted race engine
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Maximum legal compression for SCCA rules
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Extensive head work
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Optimized carburetion and ignition
Weight Reduction
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Stripped interior
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Lightweight components throughout
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Optional fiberglass panels on some cars
Chassis
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Competition suspension tuning
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Race-spec brakes
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Roll bar (often dealer or owner installed)
Purpose
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Dedicated competition car
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Not intended for regular street driving
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Stage V (1966 only) – Ultimate Output
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Approx. 250 hp
Unique Features
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176-ci displacement
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Mechanical fuel injection (ram-style setup)
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Highest compression configuration
Important Note
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Not SCCA legal
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Built purely for maximum performance and experimentation
Purpose
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Ultimate Yenko engineering exercise
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Rarest and most extreme Stinger configuration
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Note: Exact component specifications varied by car, as Yenko Stingers were hand-built for competition and often customized to meet customer or racing requirements.
YS017
At the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals, a 1966 Yenko Stinger was unveiled for the first time and won Matt Avery's Celebrity Pick Award.
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In his column for the Chicago Daily Herald, Avery interviewed the car's original owner, providing insight into the car's history and the modifications made by Yenko Chevrolet.
The article provides a fascinating look into one of the most sought-after muscle cars of the 1960s and its enduring legacy in the collector car community.