- Date-code correct COPO L72 427/425-HP V-8 engine
- Jerry MacNeish Certified
- Listed in the COPO Registry, believed to be one of the last documented COPOs built
- Sought-after 12 Bolt 4.10 geared Positraction rear end
- Recipient of a body-off-the-frame restoration
LOT 652
Selling on Saturday Evening
1969 Chevrolet 427/425 COPO Camaro Coupe
Chevrolet's Camaro was literally all things to all people. By checking the right order blanks, one could purchase anything from a "grocery getter" to a tire-shredding SS 396. While GM policy limited engine size for the A-Body and F-Body lines to 400 cubic inches, a few performance-oriented Chevrolet dealers, including Don Yenko and Fred Gibbs, knew that it was possible to build almost anything.
Chevrolet developed the Central Office Production Order system to meet the need for a procedure to build non-standard cars with Regular Production Order parts. It was intended for fleet orders: fleets of police cars; fleets of low-powered strippers for meter readers; fleets of taxicabs. It enabled Chevrolet and its dealers to compete effectively for large orders of exceptionally boring vehicles. A few intrepid dealers saw in the COPO system a means to a very different end: to build vehicles more powerful, more purposeful and more specialized than anything Chevrolet could justify offering through the Regular Production Option system.
With the Central Office Production Order (COPO) process usually reserved for fleets, a request could be made for a unique and specially built car. Since the 396 big block was already available, the 427-cid, 425-HP L72 engine would be a drop-in fit for the Camaro. The resulting COPO Camaros quickly reclaimed Chevrolet's honor in Super Stock drag racing and on the street. Despite limited traction, they were capable of quarter-mile times in the low 13-second range. With simple tuning and slicks, times dipped into the 11-second range.
COPO - arguably some of the most revered letters for aficionados of the muscle car. COPO 9561, a special high-performance package, was quite the bargain at $489.75 and included the L72 427-cid, 425-HP V-8 engine, special ducted hood, dual exhaust system, increased cooling capacity, heavy-duty suspension and the special 4.10:1 Positraction unit with a heat-treated ring and pinion. The 9561 Camaro actually listed for around $130 less than a 396-cid, 375-HP Camaro SS. The package was specifically engineered for drag race competition.
This particular and rare COPO Camaro is presented in 55-B Azure Turquoise with a special cowl inducted hood and an optional black vinyl top. The deceptive "Plain Jane" look is enhanced with color-coded 14x7 steel wheels fitted with Goodyear Polyglas F70x14 raised white lettered bias-ply tires and small dog-dish hubcaps. The standard black interior features a factory AM radio and an optional console that surrounds the factory horseshoe automatic shifter. Under the hood, everything is correct and highly detailed. The healthy-sounding, date-code correct L72 427 big block engine features a correct Winters aluminum intake, Holley carburetor, and special air cleaner that sends power back to a 12-bolt rear end fitted with 4.10 gears. This car is also equipped with factory-original F41 heavy duty suspension, a four-core radiator and power front disc brakes and, for a bonus, power steering.
This 1969 COPO Jerry MacNeish Certified Camaro is the recipient of a frame-off nut and bolt restoration done to a very high level. It is listed in the COPO Registry and is believed to be one of the last documented COPOs built. Beautifully restored and fully documented, this is certainly one of the most desirable first-generation big-block pavement pounders available for purchase.
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