COPO CAMARO 4 Sale

[daltondavid]

I have a REAL COPO Camaro for sale. 23,000 Miles Dover White with Green Interior. Original VIN# Stamped L-72 427 Engine in the Car and Running Strong. Muncie M-22 with 12 Bolt Posi. Click this link for Pictures: http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...der_id=1239068 Car is Located just West of Philadelphia Pa. It is COPO Certified. The Car was Featured in a Book Titled "The 1969 Camaro Reference Book A-Z" and also was a Cover car on the Camaro Parts Catalog, "US MUSCLE". Original Options include AM/FM Radio, Rally Wheels and Endura Bumper. all original Sheetmetal very Solid Body. The Car is going to auction! September 9-11 2005 in NYC. http://www.randworkman.com/featured_...ails.php?id=29 Check out the Cobra that is listed as well!

[Tim Brewer]

I think it would be worth a trip to the BJ auction. There's people there that would pay any amount for just about anything that rolls just to out bid one annother. You do have an excelent Camero though, but I myself would rather have $157,000, then you could pick up a really good '69 for 20,000 anywhere,IMHO.
Tim

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Tim Brewer


I think it would be worth a trip to the BJ auction.
Tim

I think BJ would be the place. Rare chevy and mopar stuff seems to sell really high there.

[daltondavid]

Originally posted by Tim Brewer


You do have an excelent Camero though, but I myself would rather have $157,000,

I am in agreeance with your desires for Cash Versus Car! Hence the Marketing Bonanza I am unleashing on the Collector Car world! B-J is a ways off. Maybe an enterprising investor will wisely Buy Now and sell it there for more! The last White one they had was Not Original Engine and Did $201K after Premiums.

[tpiini]

Have you considered contacting some of the B.J. regulars?

[computerworks]

Dalt.... can you give us a little education.

Just how many COPO Camaro's are there?

Usually GM production is pretty well documented.

[clayfoushee]

Having messed around with 69 Camaros awhile back, I would have to say David's price for a matching numbers COPO seemed low to me in the current B-J-fueled market.

They were always "sleepers" as opposed to "lookers." Who knows if the bubble will last. I don't have my old books anymore, but there aren't a lot of COPOs available, and GM's numbers are pretty reliable.

If it were me selling that car, I'd be sending it to Phoenix. B-J does have a nice showroom, and they do have their finger on the pulse of who is looking for what.

[daltondavid]

In 1967 Don Yenko wanted to do for the Camaro what Carroll Shelby had done for the Mustang. He took 396 Camaros, Pulled the Engine, swapped in a 427 added His own version of Torq Thrust wheels and some Decals . I believe he did 65 Cars the first year. in 68 he did more and he approached GM about saving him the time and effort of Engine swaps and sending 396 Engines back etc. GM Reluctantly agreed. They made a stripped down version of a 396 SS Camaro with a 427/425 HP engine installed at Chevrolet. Many came with Steel wheels and Dog Dish Hubcaps as they were mostly expected to go right to Yenko for Conversion or Do Service at Drag Strips. My Car was optioned with Rally Wheels, Endura Bumper and AM/FM Radio, Tinted Glass. These cars were ordered through the "Central Office Production Order". Hence the Acronym "COPO". Normal duties at COPO were filling orders for Taxi Cab Fleets in special Colors, Police Units, Truck fleets, etc. as word got out to other Chevrolet Dealerships, They too wanted a Piece of The Performance Pie. Places like BERGER Chevrolet and Nickey had also been big promoters of High Performance Cars and they started to order them in. initially a Dealership Had to order a minimum of 5 Cars, but towards the end of production, you could order just 1 Car. GM has not released Records on Production numbers as they Do not really know as yet. What is known is that there were 1000 Engines Built. How Many went into Chevelles, Nova's , Camaro's is unknown. as well as How many of those were produced as warranty replacements? This was a Car that was not advertised by GM and basicly snuck out the Back Door and unleashed on the Public. It was a One Year Deal, 1969. Now, How many remain today? Not Many as they were Wrecked, Raced, Stolen and stripped, Gas guzzlers in the Mid Seventies etc. The Car I have is all original Sheetmetal with No Rust Repair. all original Glass, Rims, Interior, 23,053 Miles. Very well kept Car. Never Tubbed. The Original Rear is Gone but replaced with another 12 Bolt posi Unit and the M-21 is Gone as well, but has an M-22. But the All important VIN stamped Engine survived! The original Owner Removed it from the Car and Ran a 427/435 Vette Motor in the Car. when that eventually failed, The original Engine returned. Currently there are 2 other COPO Cars for Sale. One is Painted Red and should be Gold, Not Original Engine, But has original Rear and Trans. He wants $180K. there is a Brown COPO with Non Original Engine, Trans and Rear and he is asking $139K. the important thing about the Engine being original is that besides Date Cast Codes, Your VIN is stamped into a Rough Casting, so it cannot be ground down and restamped. This is important in Authenticating these cars. You Cannot get a Marti Report or PHS Documentation for Chevrolet cars. For some reason they refuse to release the knowledge. I believe the Guy that runs PHS has been trying to get them to do it, But the talks keep breaking down. should they ever get it together, some fear that Many GM Specialty Cars will be exposed as fakes since you cannot tell by a VIN number if a Car came with a 6 cylinder or an LS6 454! and the Corvette Crowd might really be in for a surprise should the knowledge be released! That is why it is so important that GM Cars Have Documentation, versus other Brands that can be proven more easily. My Car Has the All Important Certificate from the "COPO Connection" Authenticating the Vehicle.

[krausewich]

Hi Dave,
There was an article in last months Car & Driver that specifically identified very rare model american muscle cars as being the latest trend for the majority money makers at the BJ auction. It was a part of a larger article, but in there none the less. BJ would be a great avenue providing C&D's info is right on ! They had also listed several other high line auctions that may be of value.

Good luck.
Mike.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Very nice Camaro. Years ago I had a '69 RS Conv (wish I still had it). Anyway, I wonder if your tail lights are from the RS, since the RS has separate reverse lights, mounted under the tail lights. Also, what's the toggle switch (and possible indicator light) on the dash to the left of the steering column?

Thanks,
Randy R...

[daltondavid]

Originally posted by Randy Rosenberg


Very nice Camaro. Years ago I had a '69 RS Conv (wish I still had it). Anyway, I wonder if your tail lights are from the RS, since the RS has separate reverse lights, mounted under the tail lights. Also, what's the toggle switch (and possible indicator light) on the dash to the left of the steering column?

Thanks,
Randy R...

They are not RS tail lights. someone may have removed the Clear Center and Hand made Red Centers using the Side parts of another tail light as that is what the Material Resembles. Or it was a one off that snuck out the door! I have not pulled them apart either to see how they were crafted. But they look cool and function as extra Brake lights. The Toggle is for the Electric Fuel Pump. She is a Thirsty Beast.

[A-Snake]

Dave,

A tach was an option on the COPO? This one was ordered without one?

[daltondavid]

Originally posted by A-Snake


Dave,

A tach was an option on the COPO? This one was ordered without one?

Yes they were an option. This car came with NO GAUGES!! 120 mph speedo. it is made the first week of May in 69. it is a #9561 C.O.P.O. Car. Basic X44 Camaro. Yenko would take that Basic Car, Add Gauges, Rims, Tachometer, Stripes and "sYc" Labeled Headrests and then it was a "Yenko"! Now there was another C.O.P.O. order # 9537 I think that would fet you the 140 mph Speedo, Tach etc. and I believe in Late May all C.O.P.O. Cars came with those Goodies. The S/W Greenline gauges (Same as in the Yenko) in My Car were installed on Day 2 by the 1st Owner along with the Headers, Traction Bars etc. The Speed tricks of the Day!! remember, the C.O.P.O. Camaro did not exist in Brochures, Pamphlets, or any Dealer related Literature. Yenko convinced GM to make these cars so he could save time and Money. Word spread to other envious Chevy Dealers who in fact did order some. initially the order Had to include at least 10 Cars, so not too many Dealers were willing to roll the Dice on that many 427 Camaro's being on the Lot. They made 69 ZL-1 Aluminum 427 Cars that stickered at $8,000 in 69!! word has it that the last of those sold new was in 1971!! Hard sell back then. they of course command 3X the cost of a Cast Iron 427 C.O.P.O. Car. Most of them were straight to The Track. a small Handful remained Street Cars and still Have the original ZL-1 Engine in them!! which is one of the Great things about my C.O.P.O. car. The Original Still Standard Bore 427 Engine was removed when the Car was new, and a 427/435 worked Engine was the Power plant for the Abuse sessions. when it ultimately met it's fate, The Original VIN Stamped Power plant was rerturned to service. The Vin is stamped in the Rough Casting which Cannot be Faked.

[Wahoo]

i would get some info from an Ed Cuneen for a full endorsement from the COPO, ZL-1, Yenko crowd. Just my .02.
regards,
wahoo

[daltondavid]

Originally posted by Wahoo


i would get some info from an Ed Cuneen for a full endorsement from the COPO, ZL-1, Yenko crowd. Just my .02.
regards,
wahoo

The Car has been Certified by Ed Cunneen of the COPO Connection on April 13th 2005. you can go to his website and see my Car is the only Listed REEDMAN Chevrolet COPO that has been Certified. feel free to Contact him. I have the Certification and the Letter from him in my Gallery photos of the Car. (link listed in initial Posting) Nothing to Hide here, "Wahoo" !

[Excaliber]

daltondavid,,,, got the bases covered! Bring it on.

[Anthony]

Originally posted by daltondavid
In 1967 Don Yenko wanted to do for the Camaro what Carroll Shelby had done for the Mustang. He took 396 Camaros, Pulled the Engine, swapped in a 427

Did Yenko originally only replace the short block?, keeping the heads/intake from the 396 that was installed on the car originally?

If they were from 396/375 engines, I think the heads/intake were the same as on the 427/425 engines?

[TimG427]

Early '67's came with 350 CI engines and Yenko replaced the entire engine and beefed up the springs. As the 396 CI engine became available, later 427 conversions used only the short block as the heads and intake were identical square port items. Your best bet is to advertise on www.yenko.net I've been out of town (Road America vintage races) and haven't checked that site, you may have your COPO on it allready.

[WV66AC]

I was told my bastard had corvette heads and intakes --- the casting number on my intake is 3933163, which may be a 427/425 copo intake (or possibly off a 396). I haven't pulled the valve covers to check the heads until my race car buddies have time to adjust the lifters. I would be delighted if my casting number matched yours -- if you have time to respond (I presume you have all of your casting numbers listed) I would appreciate it. I agree with the above --- send the car to Barrett Jackson. Good luck.

[daltondavid]

Originally posted by WV66AC


I was told my bastard had corvette heads and intakes --- the casting number on my intake is 3933163, which may be a 427/425 copo intake (or possibly off a 396). I haven't pulled the valve covers to check the heads until my race car buddies have time to adjust the lifters. I would be delighted if my casting number matched yours -- if you have time to respond (I presume you have all of your casting numbers listed) I would appreciate it. I agree with the above --- send the car to Barrett Jackson. Good luck.

there were 69 COPO Cars produced with Aluminum Engines. they are the ZL-1's The rest of the COPO Cars had Cast Iron engines with Cast iron Cylinder Heads. GM sold the Aluminum Cylinder Heads over the Counter I believe, as well as the Aluminum Intakes that were used on some 427 and some 396 Engines (375HP Maybe) they way to tell quickly is a "Snowflake" on the front Drivers side of the intake with a "W" in the middle of it standing for "Winters" the producer of the intake. a Great Source for GM Part Number deciphering is www.mortec.com I did put the Car on www.Yenko.net which is just like listing a COBRA for Sale here. You get a Bunch of Free "Expert" opinions instantly, with very little interested Buyers!!! B-J is a last Ditch effort. I live 122 Miles from Carlisle and will be bringing it out there for the GM/Camaro Nationals on June 24th. I just dread spending 3 Days surrounded By GM products !!! I pray for a Speedy Sale!! Trade plus Cash... Whatever!!