In the late 1960s, Chevrolet implemented a policy restricting engines exceeding 400 cubic inches in its mid-size and smaller vehicles, with the sole exception being the Corvette.
This restriction, however, couldn’t contain the growing desire for monstrous power. Enter the COPO system, a loophole exploited by dealers to circumvent the regulation and create iconic muscle cars. Two such COPO creations stand out from the rest.
The first, commissioned by Yenko Chevrolet, featured the L72 425-horsepower big-block V8. Though Yenko requested 200 units, Chevrolet’s production line churned out nearly 1,000 for other dealerships.
The second COPO, order number 9560, housed an even more legendary engine: the all-aluminum ZL1 developed for SCCA Can-Am racing.
Nicknamed the “Holy Grail” of Camaros, the 1969 COPO Camaro ZL1 holds legendary status among muscle car enthusiasts.
Born from drag racer Dick Harrell and dealer Fred Gibb’s desire for a dominance-ready Camaro, the ZL1 bypassed General Motors’ engine limitations through a special Central Office Production Order (COPO).
One such immaculate example emerges from its climate-controlled slumber, boasting an original LeMans Blue exterior and a mere 7,700 miles on the odometer, a testament to its careful preservation.
