Vehicle Description
One of the greatest stories of the muscle car era is the story of
the COPO Camaro. Savvy performance-oriented dealers found they
could order special equipment similar to how a police department or
taxi company would order their fleets. It was a COPO, or Central
Office Production Order. This would be as opposed to an RPO, or
Regular Production Option or Order. The horsepower race was in full
swing, but GM was getting nervous and put a limit of 400 cubic
inches on cars smaller than full-size, except Corvette. Remember
Ford and Shelby started shoehorning 428s into Mustangs in '68, but
the biggest Camaro engine was a 396. Drag racers were doing this
before '68, including the Chevy guys. In fact some of the Chevy
dealers were into drag racing themselves. It was Don Yenko who
spearheaded COPO 9561. Demand for his 427 powered Camaros became so
great, that he ordered them from the factory. This one was
originally delivered to Sarnia, Ontario. And why not, it's in the
neighborhood of Tonawanda NY (engine plant), Lockport NY (radiator
plant), and Detroit. This is the L72 iron block engine with an
aluminum intake and Holley four barrel. The serious performance
nature of this car is seen in the supporting hardware as well as
the engine. The transmission is none other than the Muncie M22
"Rock Crusher" four speed, with another legend of the period, a
Hurst shifter. Out back is a 4.10 12-bolt posi with heat treated
gears. The rear suspension is beefed up with five-leaf springs. A
ZL2 hood ducts cold air directly to the open element air cleaner. A
huge Harrison four-core heavy duty radiator keeps the motor cool.
This one stays low key with Cortez Silver paint and no stripes or
outrageous graphics. The rallye wheels are like those on other
Camaros. This 1969 COPO Camaro is a collection of components that
have become part of the very vocabulary of the car culture. Terms
like 427, big block, Holley carb, Hurst shifter, 12-bolt, posi,
4.10, fore-core radiator, and cowl-induction are ones that add
status to any car. Plus this is also a '69 Camaro, one of the most
revered and popular of all classic muscle machines. There are many
reasons why a car can become a collectible; with the COPO Camaro,
it's simply that it packs the hardware. Some more great Information
is included with the car. Here's an example. "This 1969 Yenko
Camaro was a limited production vehicle, equipped from the factory
with COPO 9561, a special performance package including an L72
427-425HP engine, special ducted hood, dual exhaust system,
increased cooling capacity, and special suspension." Then the best
part. "This COPO was specifically engineered for drag racing."
Vehicle: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 427 Paint: 69 - Cortez Silver
Trim: 711 - Black OPTION DESCRIPTION W82 Additional Fuel For
Delivery F62 Front Spring - LH - Computer Selected G32 Rear Spring
- LH - Computer Selected G80 Rear Axle - Positraction G84 Rear Axle
- 4.10 Ratio J50 Vacuum Power Brakes J52 Disc Brakes - Frt M22
4-Speed H.D. Transmission - Close Ratio PL5 F70-14-4PR Tire - Hwy -
OE - B/W All White Lettering U63 Radio - Pushbutton, AM U73 Manual
Antenna V48 Engine Coolant - Increased Protec (Antifreeze) ZJ7
Special Wheel - Hub Cap & Trim Ring ZK8 Tire Pressure Sticker ZP1
Tire: F70x14 ZQ7 Canadian Warranty Booklet & Misc Literature ZW1
Transmission: 4 Spd Manual M-22 COPO - 9561 AA - 1969 Camaro Model
12437 4 Speed Manual Transmission, Positraction HD Springs L/72 427
CID Turbo Jet V8 Engine 11:1, 425 HP @ 5600 RPM, Torque 460 Lbs Ft
@ 4000 RPM Aluminum Intake Manifold, Bell Housing Harrison HD 4
Core Radiator High Performance 12 Bolt Rear Axle, 5 Leaf RR
Springs, Heat Treated Ring and Pinion
