1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Tribute

The COPO Camaro is a specialty vehicle with low production volumes, initially created by finding a loophole to circumvent limitations GM placed on Chevy's performance vehicles. The result was a powerful, street-legal machine that exceeded expectations and has become a coveted vehicle among collectors. Initially released in 1969 as the ZL-1 COPO Camaro, the automobile was part of Chevy's special-order system, a method used by dealers during the sixties that allowed them to create high-performance vehicles that were not available elsewhere. The options found in the COPO weren't available for purchase on the dealership's paperwork. Some dealers devised a way to get the options they desired on the Camaro: they used particular order codes to receive cars with special features. Instead of placing an order for Camaros using the “Regular Production Option” sheet, used by dealerships for performance and styling upgrades, a dealership began ordering Camaros using the Central Office Purchase Order (hence the name COPO), which was generally reserved for adding alterations to municipal fleets.

While production numbers are all over the place, one thing we can all agree on is that 1969 COPO Camaros are rare. So, what better way to avoid the $200,000 plus price tag and the fear of ruining a piece of automotive history than to create a tribute car. While nowhere near as rare, and not nearly as valuable as the original, and this one has some superpower under the hood…a 454ci V8 with lots of goodies much like the original. You can even drive this one every day as it can sit in traffic and God forbid if something happens just get it fixed. All wrapped up and looking amazingly just like the original, and when shown can easily be mistaken for the real deal.

Exterior
With this unassuming original Camaro look, you may pass it right by. However, upon closer inspection, that Fathom Green in beautiful condition, miles deep and buffed to perfection but shows with a few areas of inconsistent paint application and a small dent at the pinch weld on the driver's lower rear quarter panel, cowl induction reverse scooped hood, and rear spoiler begin to tell a different tale. The unassuming look just keeps flowing down the sides with the only call out being a Camaro badge in your grandmother's script. Moving around back are the standard canted outward triple lense tail lights and a blue bowtie in the center. The chrome on the rear bumper is excellent and dual pipes peek out from under the rear, and on all 4 corners are 14-inch body colored steel wheels wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas rubber give even more of a sleeper look. A note to the grille which is egg crate style and looks just fabulous with the Endura urethane front bumper and chin spoiler below.

Interior
Fully restored, it is hard to find any fault on this interior. Nice black door panels have shiny cranks and a nifty rectangular Camaro badge in the center. Beautiful buckets in black vinyl with adjustable headrests float in a sea of unmarked nice black carpet. Racing between the bucket seats is a pristine black console with a Hurst shifter in a cherrywood plate surround poking its wand out to stir the gears and a heads-up quad display of gauges to monitor various vehicle and engine functions. A simple dash hangs above said console and sports the AM radio, 120mph speedometer, factory 7,000rpm tachometer, and more cherrywood applique below. A tight black headliner hangs above and displays well. A shout out to the fully restored trunk with its speckle paint finish and like new checkered vinyl mat.

Drivetrain
Lifting the mirror finished hood we are met with an expertly restored engine bay. An orange/red 454ci V8 circa 1973 with a solid lifter camshaft sits between the inner fenders and while immensely huge is perfectly accessible for maintenance. Hanging on to each side are Winters foundry aluminum heads, and on top a GM Winters foundry intake fed by a 4-barrel carburetor. The transmission is a Muncie M20 4-speed manual. On the rear is a 12-bolt 4.10 geared Positraction differential. One will need to stare long and hard to find any flaws on this wonderfully restored drivetrain.

Undercarriage
Stunningly clean and beautiful underneath with a Fathom Green unibody and floor pans finished to mirror like perfection, black suspension and like new dual exhaust. Independent coil springs suspension for the front, and leaf springs for the rear. RPO J52 power disc brakes are up front, and power drums are on the rear and a clear coated chambered dual exhaust system is on for expulsion of the spent fossils.

Drive-Ability
This car is a handful for sure and does exactly what it built for. The car accelerated at a breakneck pace and stopped nicely. Handling was on par with muscle cars of its era and many a thumbs up were received from passersby. All functions were operational at the time of our drive so it's A plus across the board for this beast.

A WOW-er with POW-er, gorgeous paint, snappy interior that is all stock and a perfectly unassuming look. And that eye candy under the hood, you need to get in here ASAP because this will be GONE, GONE like all the good things. It's your turn to win some trophies and surprise a few unsuspecting Mustangs!

VIN DECODE
124379N706714
1-Chevrolet
24-Camaro V8
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
706714-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 69 12437-1969 Camaro 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY NOR159436-Norwood Body #
TR 711-Standard Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 57 B-Fathom Green, Black Vinyl Top
10B-2nd Week October Build
X11-Style Trim Group (Non SS396, Non Z28)

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.