1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO COPO TRIBUTE CAR

In 1969, Chevrolet offered a wide range of engines for both the Camaro and the mightiest of these was the aluminum block, 427 cubic inch V8 known as the ZL1.When equipped in the small Camaro, it could run circles around most of the Corvettes on the street.

The ZL1 was Central Office Production Order 9560 (COPO) that could be specially ordered for an additional $4,160 over the base price of the Camaro. This internal 'fleet' order helped overcome the restrictions GM placed on Chevrolet to only offer engines smaller than 400 cubic inches in the Camaro. Since COPO was really meant for special paint and options on commercial vehicles, the ZL1s were not exempt from warranties and they were 100% street legal.

The ZL1 came at the request of Fred Gibb who wanted a more powerful option for NHRA drag racing. A minimum of 50 cars had to be made to go racing and eventually only 69 were ordered. It was intended only for professional drag racers that could recoup the expensive list price.

Gibb intended to sell the entire production run from his dealership in La Harpe, Illinois. His 'what wins on Sunday sells on Monday' ethos struck a chord with Chevrolet's manager Pete Estes. Offered at a price tag of $7,269, the ZL1 was almost twice the cost of a cast-iron V8. Fred had trouble selling the 50 which were worth over $363,000 combined. Many cars were redistributed through the Chevrolet dealer network and others had their engines removed to try out in different projects.

Only 13 ZL1s were sold directly by Fred's dealership. Some were further prepared by the dealership and tuned by Dick Harrell. Around 20 cars were prepared for the NHRA Super Stock series, and when tuned right and with slicks could reach low tens in the quarter mile.

At the center of ZL1 was a fire-breathing V8 originally developed for the Can-Am Chaparral. It used cylinder heads similar to aluminum-head L88 engine, but had an entirely aluminum block with steel liners. Unlike the Can-Am unit, the ZL1 had wet-sump lubrication, K66 transistorized ignition system and accommodations for a mechanical fuel pump. Fed by a single Holley 4-barrel, it was the most powerful engine GM offered to the public and produced around 500 honest horsepower. This was attached to a new positraction differential with larger pinion and axle gears. While 69 of these were included in the Camaro, only a handful came equipped in the Corvette.

The ZL1 Camaro started as a 396 SS body, but had the F4l suspension, ZL2 cowl-induction hood, heavy duty front springs, heavy duty front brakes and a four-speed sometimes ordered with the M21 close ratios. With the stock tires, the ZL1 could do the ¼ mile in the low 13 second range.

Many of the ZL1 Camaros received hard race lives and were rebodied or modified in drastic ways for racing.

ABOUT this car:

'69 CHEVROLET COPO CAMARO
• Spectacular, Frame off, Nut & Bolt, Rotisserie Restoration with date code correct "512" block and
• Only Driven 95 test miles!
• Chevrolet Big-Block 427cid V8 @ 425HP
• Optional Cowl Induction Air Cleaner
• 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission
• Heavy Duty 12-bolt, rear differential with 3:73 gears
• Mirror finish Tuxedo Black paint Professionally Buffed, show waxed & detailed
• Cowl Induction Hood and Rear Spoiler
• New Black Bucket seat interior with Hurst Shifter
• Full factory gauges including 140mph speedo, 8K RPM Tach, and Center mounted Fuel Gauge
• Original Chevrolet Steering wheel
• Original Chevrolet/AC Delco AM Radio
• All new Door Panels, Carpets and Refurbished Dash
• Show ready detailed engine compartment
• Detailed trunk compartment with full spare
• Optional Power Disc Brakes
• Ultra-sharp, fast-ratio, Power Steering
• 14" COPO Wheels with Firestone Polyglas tires
• Great sounding Dual Exhaust System
• Professionally Reproduced and Restored
• Comes with an Owner's Manual, 2 sets of keys and a Show Poster Board too!
• Show or Drive this '69 427ci/425HP COPO Camaro

On Oct-24-18 at 08:30:04 PDT, seller added the following information:

You are bidding on a amazing restoration and reproduction of the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO.This was was appraised at 125,000.00. You may get this one for close to 100,000.00 but is won't be 20k. happy bidding and good luck to the winner. You will be getting a great car!!!