The COPO Camaro, a legendary muscle car, has a fascinating history. It was created in 1969 as a clever way for Chevrolet to bypass restrictions on engine size in their midsize vehicles and pony cars. At the time, Chevrolet was not allowed to install engines larger than 400 cubic inches (6.6 liters) in these types of vehicles. However, a request from Don Yenko, who offered dealer-installed engine swaps, led Chevrolet to find a solution.
Chevrolet introduced the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, which allowed them to install powerful 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 engines in the Camaro. These engines, known as the L72 big-block, were solid-lifter engines that generated an impressive 425 horsepower. Yenko initially ordered 201 of these COPO Camaros, but word spread to other dealers, and Chevrolet ended up producing around 1,000 units. Dealers like Baldwin-Motion, Nickey, and Dana also got their hands on these special Camaros.
Another variant of the COPO Camaro was created by drag racer Dick Harrell. This version, known as COPO 9560, was ordered through Ford Gibb Chevrolet. Unlike the previous COPO Camaro, COPO 9560 was equipped with the all-aluminum 427 ZL1 engine. This engine, officially rated at 430 horsepower, was originally designed for Can-Am road racing. Harrell and Gibb wanted to use it in a drag-ready Camaro because the aluminum construction made the ZL1 lighter than the standard iron big-block.
Gibb Chevrolet ordered 50 of these COPO Camaros to meet NHRA homologation requirements. However, the ZL1 engine turned out to be too expensive for most enthusiasts, resulting in 37 unsold units being returned to Chevrolet. These cars were then redistributed to other dealers, and an additional 19 units were built. In total, only 69 COPO ZL1 Camaros were produced, making them incredibly rare. Their rarity, combined with their high performance, has made them extremely valuable, with some examples fetching prices between $500,000 and $1 million.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of replica COPO ZL1 Camaros. However, the Hugger Orange Camaro featured here is not a replica. It is one of the authentic COPO ZL1s and even retains its original 427 ZL1 engine. This particular Camaro was recently discovered in Goldsboro, North Carolina, after spending nearly two decades in a private museum. The seller claims that the engine is “correct date coded,” and the presence of the “snowflake” logo on the block confirms its authenticity as a Winters Foundry engine.
Winters Foundry was the company responsible for casting every ZL1 engine for Chevrolet during that era. They produced approximately 300 blocks between mid-1968 and 1974. Many of these blocks were sold directly to Chevrolet dealers and installed in dragsters and Can-Am race cars.
Aside from its rare and powerful engine, this Camaro is in exceptional condition. Both the interior and exterior are flawless, and the paint is described as “show quality.” There is some minor bubbling on one of the rear outer wheel housings, but overall, it is an impressive specimen. The engine has also been upgraded with various components, resulting in a power output of over 600 horsepower. It’s a true sleeper, packing a punch that is not immediately apparent.
Typically, cars like this are sold at auctions, but the seller has chosen to list it as a “buy it now” ad. The asking price is $185,000 or best offer. While this may seem like a hefty sum for a tribute car, the rarity and performance of the COPO ZL1 Camaro make it a worthwhile investment. Is this pony car worth the price tag? That’s for the buyer to decide.
