As the U.S. started returning to normal after World War II, the popularity of speed-based motorsports exploded in the 1950s. By the early 1960s, each brand was fighting hard for a horsepower edge in straight-line acceleration contests and NASCAR competitions. The 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday' mantra saw Chevrolet's successes in various motorsports venues correlate to new vehicle sales.
Unfortunately, mounting pressure from the AMA Resolution fallout and a looming antitrust action by the federal government forced General Motors to re-evaluate its position on racing involvement. GM eventually issued a mandate that banned using anything larger than 400 cubic inches in any passenger car smaller than a standard full-size. However, well-informed Chevrolet dealers discovered a workaround that resulted in arguably one of the rarest and most iconic muscle cars, the COPO Camaro.
10 Fred Gibb Pioneered The COPO 9560 Package
Drag racing Chevy dealer Fred Gibb initially used the COPO system while ordering Nova performance cars in 1968, equipping them with an L78 396-cubic-inch big block engine typically used in full-size sedans like the Impala. With this prior knowledge, Gibb collaborated with insiders like Pete Estes and Vince Piggins at Chevrolet Performance to develop the custom-spec COPO 9560 options package in 1969.
With this unique order form, Gibb Chevrolet had a workaround to order Camaros with the 430hp 427 cubic-inch aluminum big-block ZL1 NASCAR engine. Other goodies included heavy-duty cooling, a new cold-air hood, a special rear axle, a transistor ignition, special tires, power front disc brakes, and four transmission options.
9 Don Yenko Utilized The COPO 9561 Package
Another COPO program came later in 1969, the COPO 9561 options package, the brainchild of Don Yenko of Yenko Chevrolet. Like Fred Gibb, Yenko had prior experience with the smoke and mirrors game at Chevrolet, which allowed him to order Camaros and swap out the engines at the dealership.
However, with the relatively cheaper COPO 9561 special order sheet, Don Yenko could order Camaros from the factory with a 425hp iron-block L72 engine under the hood. The 9561 options package was nearly identical to the 9560 options package except for the ignition system and front springs.
8 Chevrolet Revived The COPO Program In 2012
Sadly, COPO Camaro production stopped after the initial 1969 year. In 2011 Chevy unveiled a COPO concept car at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show amid an overwhelmingly positive response from racing enthusiasts.
Chevrolet followed through with a limited production model, reopening the doors to the special program with the fifth-generation Camaro in 2012. However, these later incarnations are different from the original in some respects since Chevrolet designs them to meet NHRA racing specifications.
7 Chevrolet Builds 69 COPO Camaros Annually
Although Fred Gibbs had the tools to get the COPO Camaro, competition rules of the time required offering at least 50 cars to the public before these performance cars could represent the company on the dragstrip. Selling the COPO Camaro was a tall order, but Gibb and other dealerships eventually ordered 69 examples with the ZL1 engine.
In commemorating that first run, Chevrolet resolved to assemble just 69 COPO Camaros every year. Since prospective buyers far outnumber the production limit, Chevrolet employs a lottery system every November to determine the lucky owners. Surprisingly, Chevrolet opened the books for 2022 without a limitation on production, operating on a first-come, first-served system.
6 The COPO Camaro Is Strictly A Purpose-Built Racer
Besides appearance, there are several differences between the old COPO cars and the new ones. The classic '69 models had a VIN, meaning they came with warranties, and owners could legally drive them on the streets. On the other hand, Chevrolet offers contemporary models without VINs, blocking owners from registering, licensing, or driving them on public streets.
These purpose-built drag racers have the standard power and sound-deadening equipment deleted to optimize the weight for racing in NHRA's Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes. The design includes racing bucket seats, a solid axle suspension, a moly roll chrome cage, performance gauges, a competition spoor shifter, and safety harnesses.
5 The 2022 COPO Camaro Offers Two Small Block V-8s
Chevrolet Performance offers the 2022 COPO Camaro with the classic naturally aspirated COPO 427 (7.0-liter V-8), boasting the same displacement used in the original models. The 470hp COPO 427 for 'A' Stock competition utilizes the high-flow cylinder heads of the LS7 engine, a large-bore cylinder block, and a high-compression rotating assembly.
The other Small Block powertrain option is a 580hp LSX-based 350 (5.7-liter V-8) unit equipped with a Whipple 4.0-liter twin-screw supercharger. Each of these Small Block V-8s employs an ATI Racing Products TH400 three-speed automatic to send power exclusively to the rear wheels.
4 Chevrolet Brought Back The Big Block For 2022
For 2022, Chevrolet offers the COPO Camaro with a gigantic COPO 572 (9.4-liter V-8) engine designed to channel the spirit of the original 1969 COPO Camaro. The newly available COPO 572 uses a cast-iron block with four-bolt main caps, aluminum heads, forged aluminum pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and forged steel connecting rods.
Interestingly, this behemoth 9.4-liter Big Block V-8 engine offers the lowest power figure among all the 2022 COPO Camaro powertrain options, delivering a meager 430hp. The COPO 572 is also the cheapest crate engine, starting at $105,500, while the COPO 427 starts at $117,500 and the more potent COPO 350 at $130,000.
3 Chevrolet Unveiled An Electric eCOPO Camaro Concept
Chevrolet unveiled an eCOPO Camaro Concept at the 2019 SEMA Show to demonstrate an electric vision for drag racing. With electrification gaining traction in the high-performance space, General Motors partnered with the pioneering Hancock and Lane Racing electric drag racing team to push the envelope and break new ground.
The eCOPO Camaro Concept boasts GM's first 800-volt battery pack, composed of four 200-volt modules powered by an electric motor based on a pair of BorgWarner HVH 250-150 motors. This ground-breaking concept allowed General Motors and Chevrolet to expand electrification development for future products, creating a potential avenue for a better crate engine and performance parts portfolio.
2 The 1969 COPO Camaro Is A Highly-Coveted Collectible
The tremendous output and moderately low weight saw the first run of ZL-1 Camaros have a field day in the NHRA Super Stock class. Today, most gearheads consider these models some of the fastest and most valuable Chevrolet performance cars of the time.
The drag-racing heritage, exclusivity, and rarity of the original 1969 ZL-1 COPO Camaro make it a highly-coveted collectible with one of the highest price tags of any Camaro model. According to Hagerty, a '69 ZL-1 finished in Hugger Orange changed hands at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale in 2020 for an eye-watering $1,094,500.
1 A COPO Camaro Is An Investment
The original COPO Camaro undoubtedly takes the provenance cake, but the small production runs of the modern models also make them incredibly rare factory race cars. Furthermore, Chevrolet offered one-of-a-kind special edition racers like the Anniversary-themed 2019 COPO Camaro or the COPO Camaro John Force Edition presented at the 2020 SEMA Show.
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These modern COPO Camaros are still within reasonable price points, valued north of $80,000 at the auction block. The rarity and exclusivity of these Camaros ensure that they hold excellent investment potential, with values expected to increase over the years as Chevrolet transitions to hybrid and all-electric configurations.