There are muscle cars - and then there are moments in time cast in American steel. The 1969 COPO Yenko Camaro prototype is the latter. More than a rare vehicle, it is the genesis point of factory-built Yenko performance, the car that opened the door for Chevrolet’s most feared street-and-strip Camaros. On January 17, 2026, at the Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, Florida sale, that legacy was permanently cemented when the prototype crossed the block for $1.65 million, with buyer’s premium bringing the final transaction to $1,815,000 - officially making it the most expensive Chevrolet Camaro ever sold.

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If you're an auto-enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of the legendary name Don Yenko — and his famous high-performance builds like the Yenko Camaro and the Yenko Stinger Corvair. What you may not know as well is how his legacy continues today through his daughter, Lynn Yenko, who carries forward the spirit, style, and horsepower of the Yenko name.

Here’s a deep dive into Lynn’s story — her roots, her role, her vision for the next generation of muscle-and-performance, and why every gearhead should keep an eye on what she’s doing.