COPO for sale in CT.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

https://newhaven.craigslist.org/ctd/d/wallingford-1969-copo-camaro/7699209212.html

This is a 9561 car and is verified with it's listing on the Yenko Supercar Registry.

It was sold originally to Mrs Arnold as a present to her son David, who's entire plan for the car was to go drag racing. It was purchased through Hayes Chevrolet-Buick in New Milford, CT on the 16th of Sept. 1969.

Since then, the car has racked up just over 800 miles, nearly all of them at the long defunct Dover Drag Strip in Wingsdale, NY, just over the border from his home.

[bcmiller]

124379N676702

No body tag shown

Dealer from NCRS paperwork says Healey Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Beacon, NY 8/27/1969  Zone 2 dealer code 258

I would want to look it over very closely before I would consider purchasing.  Doesn't sound like any of the drivetrain is original.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

I assume the VIN on the car matches the NCRS report shown in the CL ad, and that 9N676702 from that report is listed on the Yenko Super Cars website, as also shown in the CL ad. So it seems legit.

[bcmiller]

Might be legit but what is left that makes it a COPO? We don’t know, but most of the really good high dollar stuff is gone.

[Kelley W King]

The only thing COPO left about the car is the story. Still a clean looking 69 for what that is. Now IF the original engine showed up or paperwork was found might be a different story.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Well, there's something to be said for having an actual original COPO car, and with lots of original pieces....

From the firewall back is original metal (aside from quarter panel repair), the interior is original, all the glass is original, the bumpers and trim are original, the dash is original (it still has the cut out in the speaker screen where the cable drive tach was installed), the rear bumper is in great condition and has some push truck marks in it and the push button starter and cut off switch holes are still in the lower left dash panel. The radiator (when he dropped the race engine in Mr. Arnold had the radiator neck changed for better flow) and rad. support is also original along with "frame rails",

Don't most rare cars, COPO Camaros included, by the time they are acquired, come lacking many original components, often needing complete body restorations, and so many already have a CE engine installed, or no engine at all, where the next best thing is finding a date coded, period correct drive train?

We all know original drivetrain and paper work is the most sought after pieces of the puzzle to make the vehicle worth all the money, but in my opinion, not having those things does not change the fact that it is an actual, real deal, COPO Camaro from the factory with a cool story. Like he said, that's why he selling it for 100k less than he thinks it would go for if it were 100% right and restored.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

Here's an earlier thread on it from the Yenko site starting almost a couple of years ago. That link has a pic of the original title and the cowl tag.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=166372

[bcmiller]

Ok I remember it now. I would have just cleaned it up and left the racing paint scheme.

[David K]

The original 427 is what makes the car valuable. Alot of cars got the 4 speed and 12 bolt. It's a 69, so someone will buy it.

[Jonesy]

it sits a bit too high IMO

[bcmiller]

Tag

The value of the car is severely decreased compared to one with the original drivetrain. Start pricing an original block, heads, carb, distributor, intake, BE axle, etc.

[David K]

From the few displayed pictures, it looks like a half assed job. You gotta love the plastic fuel filter and orange sticker. Not sure what’s with the battery cables.

[hpaddict]

If it was used as a drag racer, where are the ¼ mile time slips?   

[bcmiller]

Not everyone saved time slips. I have no doubts it was drag raced based on the pics.

[Kelley W King]

The silver ZL1 I think #10 is in MM magazine and shows it,s original motor, trans, and rear end are all missing. Of course all ZL1 vins are known so it is the real deal body.

[David K]

Does anyone else not see this next to the master cylinder?

[schlepcar]

  It looks like they should have just left it alone. It was either a race car or an original COPO…..now it is a car that came as a COPO and retains that paperwork.  I will say the pricing is not out of line for a documented car,but it would be nice if it were more complete or as it was raced. I think the correct wheels alone are around 3-4 grand these days..and that is why correct cars bring substantially more when a guy wants original. It’s funny because I still remember my friend selling an original RS X33 for $7000 and we both thought the guy was insane for paying 40 percent higher than new price for it.  The 69’s went crazier than any of them and I don’t think that is going to change.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

I have no problem seeing it displayed as it is, and like we all know, the seller also seems to know by his lower asking price, that it's not a top dollar, soup to nuts resto, demanding all the money.

Like was mentioned, people along the way could have left it as a nostalgic race car, which there are plenty out there, or during it's life it could have been rotisserie restored, finding every single date correct, part number correct, hose clamps to engine block and heads, and where even though it wouldn't have demanded the complete numbers match price, it would be worth quite a bit more.

But,......not everyone who comes across one of these rare cars, has the money, time, or recourses to do that kind of restoration. Owning a piece of history like a limited production, documented, COPO Camaro, is an awesome accomplishment, and the fact it's on the road and not been crushed at a salvage yard 40 or 50 years ago, is a great thing in my opinion,...original drive train or not.

[bcmiller]

You sound like a used car salesman.

[camaronut]

There it is again - another ford fan caution sticker on a Camaro.  I'm sitting here shakin my head............WHY!!!!!!!!!!

I betcha Jim Osborn Reproductions is making a killin' on that sticker.   lol..................

[FRANKTHECRANK]

You sound like a used car salesman.

Eh,....I try to see the good in every car if I can,...maybe growing older has mellowed me, so I'm not so picky anymore about other peoples cars and how others spend their money.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

There it is again - another ford fan caution sticker on a Camaro.  I'm sitting here shakin my head............WHY!!!!!!!!!!

I betcha Jim Osborn Reproductions is making a killin' on that sticker.   lol..................

I wonder is they even know those are Ford decals. So strange.

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

Owners of 1969 - 1970 Mustangs have been putting the "Caution Fan" decal on the fan shroud, even though they were not used by the factory:

https://www.deadnutson.com/caution-fan-decal/

The decals were later put on by dealers when these Mustangs came in for service and on replacement shrouds when Ford realized there was a safety issue.