The 1969 COPO Camaro might at first sight seem tame looking with its simple Chevy hubcaps and plain wrapper trim. Who would have known in ’69 that there was a 427/425 hp factory power plant under the hood and heavy duty suspension to handle the monster power. All of that in a Pony car that weighed only 3,642 pounds. It may have been the ultimate sleeper among period muscle cars. But this one you couldn’t buy off the dealer’s showroom floor.
The 1969 COPO Camaro you see here is being offered for sale through Gateway Classic Cars of Orlando, Florida. They told us that the special order series COPO process was used by very knowledgeable racing enthusiasts to purchase the special COPO 9561 package including the L72 427/425 hp factory motor in a Camaro body. COPO is an acronym used at Chevrolet which stands for Central Office Processing Order. If you knew the COPO numbers you could order a nearly race-ready 427 Camaro right from the factory. This Fathom green Chevy has been beautifully restored and every attention to detail covered right down to the factory steel wheels and Goodyear polyglas tires. This 1969 Camaro has been documented and certified by Jerry Macneish of the International Automobile Appraisers Association (see photos of the documentation with the ad.) Also, there is documentation from the dealer, Dale Chevrolet in Waukesha, Wisconsin, confirming the original sale. The paperwork was signed by Ed Cuneen of the COPO Connection.
One report on this Fathom green 1969 COPO Camaro indicated that the entire car was professionally restored and used very lightly. They described the paint as “excellent. Panel fit superb. Undercarriage just as nice as the topside … ” This report said the restoration went so far as to include correct crimped exhaust pipes. It stated that the car was formerly owned by the founder of the COPO Connection.
Pete Estes, Chevrolet’s vice president, understood the need for fast cars to feed the hungry unrest of man. The reason it was neccessary to use the COPO ordering process is that General Motors had a corporate policy against installing engines over 400 ci in anything but full-size cars and Corvettes. Chevrolet Product Promotions manager Vince Piggins found a way to circumvent the engine ban for certain buyers by using the Central Office Processing Order, or COPO, program. Normally reserved for fleet builds, Piggins was able to use COPO 9561 to get Camaros built on the assembly line powered by the L72 427/425 hp special high-performance big block.
The racing community enjoyed benefited from their association with Chevrolet. Racers such as Don Yenko, Dick Harrell, Smokey Yunick, Roger Penske, Jim Hall and Fred Gibb all knew the Chevrolet ordering system. In this unsuspecting 1969 Central Office Processing Order Camaro you’ll find an original period correct L72 427 Turbo Jet 425hp V8. Indeed, you can put the Muncie 4-speed in any gear and punch it threw all 4 gears via a 12-bolt GM rear end.
The 1969 COPO Camaro came with heavy duty front disc brakes, power brakes, full seat belts, heavy duty sway bars, spoiler, and more. Other features of this car include an AM radio, C.O.P.O. correct hub caps and medium green standard vinyl bucket interior.
After this car was restored it was part of a private collection where it was kept in a climate controlled environment and parked on carpeted and heated floors.
Click the video window below to see a full high definition walk-around view of this incredible 1969 COPO Camaro:
what a beauty i had 67 my first car copo this a rare car