For all the bench racing muscle car guys do, actual performance numbers don't lie. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 9561 ran an 11.94 quarter mile at 114.5 miles per hour according to Super Stock and Drag Illustrated, May 1969. That's 3/10th's of a second faster than a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 at 12.20, and nearly 2 full seconds faster than a 1969 Dodge Charger HEMI at 13.92. Only the Camaro ZL-1 was faster. Name another contender and they only got slower from there. MSRP for a bare bones COPO would cost you $3,953 in 1969. Today, according to Hagerty Price Guide, a genuine '69 COPO Camaro in #1 will set you back $241,000.
Presented here is a fitting tribute to the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO 427 L72, nut and bolt rotisserie restored in 2006, showing only 3,485 miles on the odometer since completion. Finished in Hugger Orange over Black Hound's-tooth interior, this '69 Camaro epitomized Bowtie supremacy during the Muscle Car Era. The Spartan look is completed by the color-keyed XT steelies with 'dog dish' hub caps. They are wrapped properly in Goodyear Wide Tread F70-15's. The rear decklid spoiler and ZR-2 Cowl Induction hood are the only indicators of the menace that lurks underneath.
Open the engine bay and you know this car means business. The 427/425hp motor was built up from a '69 date code correct 512 block, bored .030 over, rebuilt and blueprinted using all new parts. Fuel is delivered by 780cfm Holley carb. Ceramic coated headers dump the spent gasses out the 2.5" Flowmaster exhaust system. While not OEM Concours, everywhere you look, factory details can be found. Date coded hoses, a COPO correct Harrison four-core curved neck radiator, valve covers, air cleaner, deep groove pulleys, and even the hose clamps are all OE appearing.
The motor is backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission and 12-bolt Chevy rear-end stuffed with 3.73 gears. We know, a 'BE' rear-end is supposed to be 4.10, but we like driving around at 65mph at RPMS less than 3,000. The undercarriage is finished OE correct including F41 suspension, power brakes with front discs, and factory build inspection markings; shows some modest wear reflective of the odometer reading.
The interior is beautiful black vinyl and cloth hound's-tooth bucket seats with no console. COPO authentic details include Stewart Warner gauges including a 140-mph speedometer, a 7,000 RPM tachometer, radio and A/C delete plate, wooden steering wheel, and quick ratio manual steering.
If you are a looking for a testament to vintage high performance, professionally built, and ready to drive, this faithful COPO recreation is the right Camaro for you.
