Nov 15, 2010 a history of chevys ultimate muscle car. Real book 235pgs all about 1969 chevrolet camaro z 28ss396 models by j macneish. May 15, 2015 the 1969 copo camaro was the ultimate offmenu item chevys 427 cid engine never appeared on any order sheets and wasnt a part of any official package. What sets this book apart is the emphasis on chevrolet performance engines and engine development. The chevrolet parts book does show different part numbers for the two engines. While copo orders were generally reserved for adding alterations to municipal fleets, people found a way around get around limitations gm placed on chevys performance vehicles. Chevrolet built 86,307 ss chevelles in 1969, and of that number, 323 were copo cars. New book on copo chevrolets tells tale of rare muscle cars. Rare garnet red 1969 chevrolet copo chevelle gets a whole new life.
This web is for enthusiasts considering building or upgrading a copostyle camaro. From 1967 to 1969, the factory and dealers installed eight different 427 engines. Learn the full story of legends like yenko, zl1, fred gibb, dick harrell and more. This car is very well documented from its original delivery to fred gibb chevrolet of laharpe, illinois, the dealer that. The copo camaro was built with an exotic aluminum block 427 engine with 425 horsepower known as the zl1. But in 1969, not many inside the gm system were aware of that trick. Thats because this classic chevy embodied american muscle cars like no other. After finding documentation of the copo order in one of the first yenko cars that he received, douglass ordered a number of copo camaros directly from chevrolet around march 1969.
Listed with the supercar registry and featured in randy leffingwells excellent book american muscle. Chevy muscle car aficionado and author matt avery retraces the history of the copo program and the creation of these premier muscle cars with this 204page 10 x 10 hardback guide. Chevrolets ultimate muscle cars 97816253915 by avery, matt and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. Chevy muscle car aficionado and author matt avery scoured archives and tracked. Muscle, power, and rumble youre thinking about the chevelle now, arent you. Heres brief history of the life and death of the beastly chevy chevelle. Musclecars in general and chevrolet musclecars in particular are the subject of many books already out there. The hagerty classic car valuation tool is designed to help you learn how to value your 1969 chevrolet nova and assess the current state of the classic car market. Shop millions of cars from over 21,000 dealers and find the perfect car. Yenko remained a central figure in the story of how the copo process. The options found in the copo werent available for purchase on the dealerships paperwork. Other factory options include chambered exhaust, instrument panel tach and gauges, am radio, auxiliary speaker rear, bumper guard chrome front and rear. The chevrolet chevelle is a midsized automobile which was produced by chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Veteran automotive journalist matt averys new book, copo camaro, chevelle and nova.
Copos second coming builds on a legacy established in 1969, when the first purposebuilt camaro dragracing specialty car was designed to compete in the nhra stock eliminator. History initially released in 1969 as the zl1 copo camaro, the automobile was part of chevy s specialorder system, a method used by dealers during the sixties that allowed them to create highperformance vehicles that were not available elsewhere. Later on, others used the road map to build copo novas and chevelles to similar spec with similar results. Sep 18, 2019 little fires everywhere showrunner on why finale differs from book. I tried to trace the history on it, but its tough to talk to anyone back there in. The copo camaros, chevelles, and novas of the 1960s and early 1970s were. Chevrolet has earned its reputation by offering consumers durable and affordable vehicles within its vast and complete lineup from subcompacts to heavyduty trucks.
From 1967 to 1969, the factory and dealers installed eight different 427 engines, including the allaluminum zl1 427. May 26, 2017 the complete book of classic chevrolet muscle cars 19551974. The copo camaros, chevelles, and novas of the 1960s and early 1970s were the ultimate highperformance gm muscle cars. Yenko had hopes of keeping this nowinfamous loophole a secret that only he could take advantage of. Authored by automotive historian matthew avery, copo camaro, chevelle, an nova. The cidceiling would be lifted for 70, so copo chevelles were built for 1969 only. Mar 08, 2018 according to my 1969 nickey chevrolet book, the 8 inch damper part number for both engines is the same. The 69 chevelle copos had regular malibu bucketseat interiors, though some got super sport steering wheels. Retrace the history of how don yenko and other performanceminded individuals. This 1969 chevrolet chevelle copo hardtop coupe, finished in fantom green, was offered for sale at the 2006 worldwide group auction held on hilton head island. Remembering the 1969 copo 9562 427 chevelle super car, a special highperformance chevrolet chevelle built by don yenko with a 427ci l72 engine.
Patrick glenn nichols musclecar barn finds 143,058 views. The chevelle had such a high survival rate that today it is one of the most common cars seen at car shows across the countryand one of the most beloved. Although don yenko had hit a home run with his 1969 copo 9561 camaro and 1969 copo 9562 chevelle build programs, he had trouble selling gm on his 1969. Rare garnet red 1969 chevrolet copo chevelle gets a whole. Rare garnet red 1969 chevrolet copo chevelle gets a whole new.
For 1969, douglass signed on to be a yenko franchise dealer, initially selling a number of yenkoconverted copos. Of those elite 323, 99 were sent to yenko to be transformed into a yenko sc chevelle at his canonsburg, pennsylvania, dealership. Nov 22, 2018 after endless conversations, sleepless nights, and 27 long months. The book lists many original and subsequent owners, as well as known racing history with much information on all of the cars that were produced. During the 1969 model year a police package rpo b07 was available on the chevelle 300 deluxe 4door sedan where some were optioned with the rpo l35 396 motor along with a boxed frame also shared with fleet orders e. Durant and swissborn louis chevrolet and a division of general motors, chevrolet is an iconic us car manufacturer. Rare 1969 chevrolet nova yenkosc 427 was parked in a cow. Copo number 9562 delivered a 427ci chevelle rated at 425 hp to your selling dealer right from the factory no engine hoist needed. The copo nameplate is a nod to the central office production order system, which cunning chevrolet dealers used to build oneofakind highperformance models.
The hagerty classic car valuation tool is designed to help you learn how to value your 1969 chevrolet chevelle 300 deluxe and assess the current state of the classic car market. Introduced on the 26th of september 1963, the chevelle had a short run. Unfollow 1969 chevelle book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. A factorybuilt nonyenko triple copo 1969 chevelle, straight out of chevys. But when the car in question is a 1969 chevelle, and you put a chevrolet performance lt376535 v8 under the hood, raising the bar means the sky is the limit. Matt avery deftly retraces the history of the copo program and the creation of. Here at kuyoths klassics we are proud to present this beautiful all numbers matching l78 1969 chevrolet chevelle super sport. Little fires everywhere showrunner on why finale differs from book. Clash of the classics 1969 chevrolet chevelle copo 427 duration. Matt averys new book, copo camaro, chevelle and nova.
Vince piggins, chevrolet engineering promo chief, helped get the copo chevelle in production to compete in nhra ssd drag racing. The same monacohugger orange and daytona yellow were also available on 1969 copo chevelles. The chevrolet chevelle is a midsized automobile which was produced by chevrolet in three. Chevrolets ultimate muscle cars book covers muscle cars from chevrolets central office production order option from the 1960s and 1970s. Chevrolets ultimate muscle cars immediately appeals as an entertaining read while providing fresh referencegrade data on a fascinating chapter of the muscle car era.
This lemans blue example is among the estimated 96 equipped with automatic transmission. The copo 9560s ordered by gibb chevrolet were obtained using the special order system required to build the highperformance models. Body styles include coupes, sedans, convertibles and station wagons. These cars were offered in variations, with specific numbers indicating special equipment. Yenko stinger vegas were ordered and built in 1971 and 1972. Unaware of what a truly extraordinary piece of muscle car history his chevelle would come to represent. Jun 25, 2019 although don yenko had hit a home run with his 1969 copo 9561 camaro and 1969 copo 9562 chevelle build programs, he had trouble selling gm on his 1969 yenkosc 427 nova program, for perceived. Licensed with general motors, this book showcases neverbeforeseen archival chevelle. Later on, others used the road map to build copo novas and chevelles to similar spec, with similar results. Discover our top 10 best muscle car book picks and learn where to buy them all today. This car has been kept in a climate controlled facility. This was accomplished using a copo, or a central office production order.
Charlie doerge wrote a book on the yenko stinger and some of dons escapades in 2011. A friend of mine and i tracked down and was able make a purchase on this unbelievable car hidden for decades and totally unknown to the supercar registry, muscle car, and chevelle. In 1972, the stinger was also available as a kammback. The majority of these involved manual or automatic transmissions, bench or bucket seats, special coil springs and power disc brakes. Part of the general motors gm abody platform, the chevelle was one of chevrolets most successful nameplates. This yenko 1969 chevrolet chevelle is just one of five that were painted dover white, making it quite rare, and was restored at rusty nuts garage. It is powered by a 427 cubicinch overheadcontinue reading.
The chevelle gets a major update in 68 1968 ushered in a total redesign for the chevelle and the other gm abodies. Nov 25, 20 on my car story were in rosemont il at the muscle car and corvette nationals on 1124. There are 27 1969 chevrolet chevelle sss for sale today on. The complete book of classic chevrolet muscle cars. The copo performance car program did not end with these muscle cars.
From 1967 to 1969, the factory and dealers installed eight different 427 engines, including the all aluminum zl1 427. Gm parts center a brief history of the copo camaro. Cunneen runs an excellent web site, with more history and information than we could. Uncover rare nascar history with this 1001 facts series book that spans decades from the. For racers and collectors alike, the most famous of those historic bowtiebuilt missiles was the 1969 copo 9560 zl1 camaro, of which only sixtynine were assembled, aimed squarely at nhra stock and super stock classes, and for going head to head with chevys. My custom made one of one brand new 1969 camaro z28 has arrived. Schmitts ebook cars of stars a collection of celebrity. Charlie doerge wrote a book on the yenko stinger and. Chevy muscle car aficionado and author matt avery retraces the history of the copo program and the creation of these premier muscle cars with this 204page.