Yenko Stinger Tribute: 1973 Chevrolet Vega GT Kammback

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. The Yenko Stinger was a Corvair based custom built in the late 60s, but hold your pitchforks…Don Yenko also built a few hundred Yenko Stingers in the early 70s on the Vega chassis. This next car is offered as a “tribute” to the actual Stinger, but it has a 3.8 liter Buick V6 instead of the original turbo-4 2.3 liter that Yenko offered. Find this 1973 Chevrolet Vega GT Kammback bidding for $6,500 in Bakersfield, CA via ebay with 1 day to go.

From the seller:
Item specifics
Condition: | Used |
---|---|
Seller Notes: | “See 👀 Video 📹📺 https://youtu.be/s6Ii-MV4ubY ⬅️” |
Year: | 1973 | VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | 1V15B3U251484 |
Mileage: | 59000 | Engine: | 3.8 V6 Buick (Grand National GNX style) |
Options: | Center Console, GT Package, GT Wheels (Factory), CD Player, Leather Seats | Model: | Vega |
Number of Cylinders: | 6 | Sub Model: | GT (Yenko Stinger Tribute) |
Transmission: | Automatic | Drive Side: | Left-hand drive |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline | For Sale By: | Private Seller |
Exterior Color: | Gold | Make: | Chevrolet |
Trim: | California Chevy 1970 1971 1972 Camaro Nova GNX | Drive Type: | RWD |
Vehicle Title: | Clean | Body Type: | Wagon |
Warranty: | Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty |

If we could time travel back to the early 1970s, we would see how good the Vega was meant to be. The new car was, in its own way… pretty cool. I remember them sparkling in the showrooms, and people were crawling all over them. They were good looking, youthful, and fresh, giving the buyer something new to believe in. So much so that a million Vegas were sold in the first two years. Heck, with Motor Trend making the Vega the 1971 Car Of The Year, what else did one need for an endorsement?
The Vega Kammback wagon was my favorite among the herd because it was the “largest” of the Vegas, meaning it had more hauling room… which made it a potential camping vehicle. I also thought it had a great profile; Mr. Wunibald Kamm‘s legacy made that happen.
One reason I bought that car was because I thought the pre-’74 Vegas were the best looking; the 1973 model year is my favorite.
Since 1973 when the ’74s were introduced, I’ve never warmed up to the slotted grille and protruding guard rail bumpers, so I guess I never will. The pre-’74 Vegas had a classic simplicity to them that was lost to the federal 5-mph bumper mandate, at least in my eyes. But in fairness to the ’74 Vega (And Camaro), the all-aluminum bumpers were an industry first, made in the name of weight saving.

In many ways, a Vega was a mini early-70s Camaro. They shared a few elements such as styling cues and optional seats, steering wheels, dash components, radios, and gauges.
The Vega GTs earned their name by adding styled wheels, lower body trim with black paint (Part of the Vega’s Custom Exterior package), GT emblems, a bright metal piece around the blacked-out grille, and clear front turn signal lenses with amber bulbs. Other Vegas had “argent” colored grilles and yellow lenses. Paint trim stripes were available; most GTs had them, but our yellow wagon above sadly does not.
The GT’s F41 suspension created a superb driving sensation, with stiffer shocks and springs, front and rear stabilizer bars, and those new things known as A70x13 RWL steel-belted radial tires.

The Vega GTs were the 1970s’ pocket rockets. Since about half of all Vegas were the hatchback model, could it be said that the upgrades produced the first hot hatchback, preceding the (Dare I say it) Volkswagon GTI?
IN FACT the purpose of this vehicle was Chevrolet’s answer to compete against small Japanese JDM cars and the Volkswagen.
1973 Chevy Vega GT Kammback WAGON YENKO STINGER TRIBUTE California Car 2nd owner never left the state of CA accident free all original glass and sheet metal very solid VERY RARE wagon model original GT steering wheel and rims, added Yenko stinger stripe for more attitude 59k original miles on body, replaced with V6 3.8 Buick engine Grand National style for performance Holley 670 carb and aluminum intake manifold Accel super coil very fun and rare car that gets plenty of thumbs up on the road. Very fast
Pocket Rocket! Nice interior with fold down back seat factory center console THIS IS A MUST SEE PICTURES DO NO JUSTICE! Clean California letle SMOG Exempt pre 1975! For any questions or comments please call me at (310)658-6768 do not hesitate to call at anytime I understand this is a worldwide auction.

Shipping is buyers responsibility but i can point you in the right direction with a door to door quote with Make-A-Way Expeditors LLC Enclosed Auto Transport.
For quote call Setorian Barnes at (713)927-5807 or (737)212-5807.
Due to age and condition of this vehicle and proof of video this vehicle is being sold AS IS without any refunds or compensations! This by far is not a Barrett Jackson vehicle put a nice cruiser that needs some TLC, rust in small area shown in picture above has been treated with POR 15 rust converter and prime sealed by a body shop. Please bid to win. No zero or negative feedback bidders. My best suggestion is to call me before bidding. I also have this vehicle listed locally and have the gift to end my auction early any time i want.
Good luck and happy bidding.

See a better way to drive a strange classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
Am I the only one who sees similarities to the silhouette of the Volvo 1800? 🤔
-Stan (no, not *that* Stan… the other Stan…)
I remember these! A fitting reminder of the glorious optimism of the McGovern administration.
This is not the greatest car in the wor-r-rld. It is just a tribute.
Tenacious!!
Always love me a good wagon, but this one having the name YENKO on it is a tad blasphemous…..