Mecum Auctions is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, and muscle car enthusiasts will have plenty to get excited about. Among the headline attractions crossing the block at Mecum Kissimmee 2026 are three spectacular 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaros, each one representing a unique chapter in American performance history.
These legendary Chevrolets come from the Cliff Ernst Collection, and all are scheduled to sell on Saturday, January 17. Together, they form one of the most complete Yenko showcases ever assembled for public sale.
Leading the trio is the first 1969 Yenko Camaro prototype, the pilot car used for testing before official production began. Finished in rare Olympic Gold with white graphics, it’s one of only ten built in that color—and the only example known to have been fitted with Atlas Mag wheels at the Yenko dealership. Still retaining its original L72 427/425 HP V-8, BE rear axle, and factory trim, this prototype was featured in Super Stock and Drag Illustrated in 1969, where racer Ed Hedrick recorded a quarter-mile time of 11.94 seconds at 114 mph. Restored by Musclecar CPRx Restorations, it has since graced the covers of Muscle Car Review, Super Chevy, and Drag Times.
Also from the collection is a Rallye Green 1969 Yenko Camaro, one of just 201 produced. This four-speed coupe features the COPO 9561 L72 427/425 HP engine and COPO 9737 Sports Car Conversion Package. It’s been privately held since 1986 and remains Camaro Hi-Performance Certified with full COPO documentation. Once featured on PowerBlock TV with Bill Goldberg, it’s a standout example of authenticity and collector pedigree.
Rounding out the trio is a LeMans Blue 1969 Yenko Camaro, shipped new from Yenko Chevrolet to Stauffer Chevrolet in Pennsylvania. Powered by the same 427/425 HP engine and M20 four-speed transmission, it’s been restored to factory specifications and remains one of the most striking color combinations produced.
Each of these cars tells part of the Yenko performance legacy, combining raw horsepower, meticulous craftsmanship, and a connection to one of the most celebrated muscle car dealers of all time. These vehicles are expected to be among the most talked-about lots of the Kissimmee 2026 auction, where bidders can also consign their own cars and collections.
For those who live and breathe classic Chevrolet performance, this is the kind of lineup that defines why Mecum Kissimmee has become the must-attend event of the year.
Shawn Henry