- Factory COPO 427 L72 V-8 engine, per the Yenko Supercar Registry
- Jerry MacNeish Camaro Hi-Performance Certification
- Desirable M22 'Rock Crusher' four-speed manual transmission
- Retrofitted with a ZL1 Yenko-cast aluminum engine block and aluminum cylinder heads
- Recipient of a correct and comprehensive restoration
- Multiple AACA national award winner
LOT 619
Selling on Saturday Evening
1969 Chevrolet COPO ZL1 Camaro Coupe
A sleeper factory hot rod born from a loophole in GM's own corporate policies, the tire melting COPO Camaros of the '60s are that of legend. At the time, General Motors had a self-imposed limit on engine size, restricting Camaros to engines no larger than 400 cubic inches. But savvy dealers like Don Yenko and Fred Gibb knew that enthusiasts and racers wanted more power. Using Chevrolet's Central Office Production Order (COPO) system, normally reserved for fleet or special-purpose vehicles, they found a way to bypass the rules and order Camaros with the big fire-breathing 427-cubic-inch V-8 engine.
Two primary COPO Camaros emerged in 1969: COPO 9561 and COPO 9560. The 9561 featured the L72 427/425-horsepower big-block engine, borrowed from the Corvette. Built for drag racing dominance, it came with a heavy-duty suspension, 12-bolt rear axle, and high-performance drivetrain components. The slightly more radical COPO 9560 , equipped with the all-aluminum ZL1 427 engine, was a street-legal race car; it was lighter and even more powerful, with over 500 horsepower in real-world tune.
In total, Chevrolet built approximately 1,084 COPO Camaros for 1969, making them among the rarest and most collectable Camaros ever produced. These were not just faster than standard SS or Z/28 models. They were purpose-built, factory-sanctioned supercars cloaked in a subtle muscle car appearance. The COPO Camaros offered a unique blend of stealth and savagery. While most buyers saw a basic Camaro, those in the know understood the true firepower beneath the hood. Today, COPO Camaros are celebrated not just for their rarity and performance, but for how they cleverly circumvented GM's own rules to deliver exactly what the market-and the drag strip-demanded.
While these COPOs were meant to be driven hard, many fell to the fate of time and neglect, unlike the 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro offered here, which is the recipient of a comprehensive restoration that has traveled a reported 10 miles since completion. Ordered new with the 427-cubic-inch L72 V-8 engine, per the Yenko Supercar Registry, it is finished in Dover White over a black trimmed interior. Retrofitted with a Yenko-cast aluminum engine block and aluminum cylinder heads, this COPO also features a M22 'Rock Crusher' four-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. Wearing the correct X44 trim tag, this stripped-down performance machine comes outfitted with J52 power front disc brakes, a functional ZL2 cowl induction hood, body-colored steel wheels with small hubcaps, Goodyear Polyglas tires, and bucket seats with integrated headrests. Additional standout features include Stewart-Warner auxiliary gauges mounted beneath the dash for monitoring oil pressure, water temperature, and amperage, along with front and rear spoilers and rear bumper guards.
No stranger to garnering attention, this COPO is a multiple Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) award winner, capturing its Senior Award badge at a Grand National meet in Lebanon, Tennessee, and First Place awards at various Midwest Grand National meets. Accompanying the sale of this rare Camaro is a Jerry MacNeish letter of authenticity from Camaro Hi-Performance confirming its authenticity, a part numbers list from COPO Connection, and a copy of "Yenko: The Man, The Machines, The Legend" by Bob McClurg.
Correctly restored and finished in desirable colors, this amazing COPO will surely fill your muscle car void. Whether you're looking to dominate the show field, steal the spotlight at Cars & Coffee, or own one of the most legendary factory drag machines ever built, this COPO delivers the goods in every gear.
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