Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Calling all Chevelle experts! Question: given two cars in the same condition - one a 427 COPO the other the 375HP 396 with Alum. head option- (both 4 speed M-22) which is more valuable? Desirable?

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

You're kidding, right??? Rarity does not necessarily equate to desireability, although the production numbers are probably similar. IMO, the COPO is worth 50% more. I'd sure be interested in other's opinions though, as, I sold one of each in the last two years. In this market , however, a year, heck, six months makes a big difference.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Not professing any level of expertise, here, but would certainly prefer the COPO.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

COPO!
Peter

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

The L-89 is the better looking engine in my opinion, but the COPO brings more bucks for sure.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Although not an L89 car, our L78 car would be gone in a heart beat if I was offered the amount for it that I was offered for our disassembled COPO car. It's not so much the product as the mindset of people that sets the price.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I don't care much for COPO Chevelles !

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Bob I have a BB Camaro here that I will trade you heads up for your black car............RatPack.................

And my car has the same wheels as yours!!!!!!!

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

How many Camaros we talking about ? https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Bob is turning into a Camaro Guy. Uh Oh.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

So what is a COPO Chevelle worth apart, with a ton of NOS for restoration? I just might let mine go, LOL.........COPO is most definently the choise......8-)

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I would guess you are talking about the year 1969 of course with both fully documented.
With 400 L-89's made, to 224 COPO's made (Non-Yenko).Give me the L-89 because it is in Super Sport dressing as opposed to plain Jane Malibu dressing.
I like the trim and options better on a Super Sport model.They just look better.
Now if the L-89 was in a 1970 Super Sport Chevelle (18 made),then I jump over 10 COPO's to get to that car as well! I am biased to the 70 here.
Don't get me wrong,I wouldn't throw a COPO away,but if I had to choose between these two,that is what I would pick.
As stated before,rarity does NOT determine desirability.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I have a '69 L-89 Chevelle and a '69 Yenko Camaro and in my opinion when you open the hoods of both cars the L-89 Engine looks More Impressive. Looking at my sticker a 396/375 Engine ($252.80) plus L-89 Aluminum Cylinder Heads (394.95) adds to $747.75 how much was the COPO Option, if anyone might know? I do AGREE that the COPO is a step ABOVE the L-89 and is Worth MORE Money. Mark

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I agree with sixtiesmuscle Mike. A COPO is worth at least 50% more. The question asked was on value or worth. Desirability of one versus the other, fall's under one's own personal preference; to which no one could say that person is right or wrong when it comes to wanting to own one. I personally, would consider the COPO to be more desirable to most.


[Edited by SuperCars (01-06-2002 at 08:54 AM).]

[Edited by SuperCars (01-06-2002 at 09:05 AM).]

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I don't understand why people say the COPO and Yenko Chevelle had Malibu trim. There is no Malibu trim on the outside of a COPO or Yenko Chevelle except for the bowtie on the grill. The COPO has blacked out SS grill, SS eyebrow trim, SS hood, SS tail panel trim, SS parking lights, SS side lights, and the other SS pieces. The COPO even used the SS wheels. It does not have the Malibu lower trim or side lights, and no Malibu emblem on the quarter panel. The COPO was not an SS or a Malibu. It was a specially built car using mostly SS parts but used a special code engine, rear end, and trans (if automatic). In my opinion, Chevy did not want to build the high performance COPO cars and sell them to the public but they had to do it to get them on the race track. Chevy probably lost money on the COPO car sales but used them to get free publicity from drag racing and this helped to sell more cars overall. This is one reason the for the high value of COPO cars.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

The COPO Chevelle

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

COPO seems to be the clear winner! The only difference seems to reside in the area of personal taste. The alum. heads add extra "car show" touch to the 396 car, but it appears that having the "COPO" is the option that pure investment grade collectors desire. Thanks again.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

We paid $649 CDN for our COPO option on the Chevelle. When people speak of the Malibu trim, I think they are referring to the interior. The only SS piece in there was, in some cases, the steering wheel emblem. Ours had the blue bow tie. The outside was all SS less the SS396 emblems. The blue bow tie filled the holes in the grill. The COPO cars were 13637 models which translates into Malibu hardtops. The extra cost of building a COPO car over that of the L78 cars would probably have been minimal. Everything was a direct bolt in replacement and GM was already building the L72 motor for the big cars. The only special piece that I have seen on the car was the KQ rearend. The automatic cars got a special transmission. I'd think that GM made a buck on these cars as well.
I've seen Don Lightfoots L78/L89 Chevelle and the engine compartment certainly draws attention.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

SS 396 emblems may look fancier.....but it looks backward in the rearview mirror ! which is where an L89 would be if it pulled up to a light with a COPO !!! Meet you on Rte.83 Mr.70....bring your pink !!! https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I've been waiting to hear this comment. The L-78 has the same cam as the '66 427-425HP Corvette. The 375HP is Under-Rated, plus the L-89 is lighter. I think it would be a close race. Mark

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

The reason I say Chevy lost money on the COPO cars is because of the engineering costs. Engineering costs are very high but when divided over 500,000 cars it is not that much per unit. With only about 1000 hi po COPO cars built in 1969 there was no economy of scale.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

There's still no substitute for cubic inches..plus I only weigh 160 lbs. so I still have the edge ! Plus Mr 70 is from the south side...they never figured out how to drive down there.

[Edited by Belair62 (01-06-2002 at 05:32 PM).]

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I have personally felt the power of the iron 427 and the ZL-1 in a Camaro. I guess the car that really impressed me the most in the last couple of years was the 68 NOVA that won the MCR stock appearing shootouts. This car should leave no doubt concerning the performance potential of a properly tuned 396 car.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

.....if it is a 396 car!
Peter

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

The 1969 L78 and the L72 were very similar engines and shared many parts. From memory I believe the crank, cam, 840 heads, Holley, dist, intake and exhaust manifolds were the same part numbers. The L72 just had 31 more cu in. Chevy originally rated it at 450hp then reduced it to 425hp with no modifications.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

What about the 69 SS 396 Orange post car with a L-89 that's in Floyd Garretts museum. I am told there was only 6 of those made. Would it bring COPO money.

[Edited by 9566 BA (01-07-2002 at 07:11 AM).]

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

COPO is a magic name,this name open many doors, L89 is just and addon,
and COPO 427-425 HP is comparable with a Mopar Hemi 426-425 HP
Chevelle SS396(375 HP) is not comparable with a B Body Mopar Hemi.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

In STOCK trim, the 2 engines are probably close to 1hp per cubic inch, which gives the edge to the L-72, by about 30hp. The weight savings of the L-89 is probably around 150(?) pounds. I would rather have the 30hp https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif.

And like Pete said, the 396 Nova that was mentioned earlier probably shouldn't be used as a reference...I'm thinking it's not quite stock.;)

[Edited by Chevy454 (01-07-2002 at 03:09 PM).]

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Hi all,

I don't know if this is cool but I am posting to bring this old Topic back to the active posts.

Great stuff in here, right up my alley.

IMHO I am with MR70 and Mickey Hale, L89 is damn sexy, and win or lose I would love to chase down a COPO with one some day.

Ryan


https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...img_5711_2.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...-2569-4d_3.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...-2570-8e_3.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...-2571-76_3.jpg

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Ryan,

Trust me, You"ll never catch a COPO Chevelle with an L89 Chevelle. Two different animals.

I am a huge fan of both. But, if someone said you had to pick one..... I would choose a COPO Chevelle all day.

Dan

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Theres no replacement for displacement Fact.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Solid argument.

Not a decision I need to make personally in the near future. L89 vs Copo.

Ryan

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mhassett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been waiting to hear this comment. The L-78 has the same cam as the '66 427-425HP Corvette. The 375HP is Under-Rated, plus the L-89 is lighter. I think it would be a close race. Mark </div></div>I hate to say it but you are so wrong. Having had one of each back in the day, although the L78 is a strong engine it does not measure up to the427-425. The 427 was a beast compared to the 396.

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I would love to have that frame of reference.

Ryan

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Great stuff in here, right up my alley.

IMHO I am with MR70 and Mickey Hale, L89 is damn sexy, and win or lose I would love to chase down a COPO with one some day.

</div></div>

Ditto... I hope to do just that!

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Hey Albert,

I hear a Challenge up for a COPO Chevelle vs. an L89 Chevelle, who`s up for a drag race at SCR16?

Albert has raced his COPO many a times, my money`s on the COPO.

Dan

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

I bet you one bag full of bias ply tire smoke that the L89 wins.

Ryan

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

a poorly tuned, poorly driven COPO Chevelle with a poorly set up chassis could be beaten handily by an L89 equipped 396. IMO, all things equal, the one that passes more air (427) wins the race. should be close though (2/10s [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img])

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Was trying to figure out which car to bring to SCR16, My 69 L89 or the the 68 Z.... Hmmm Sounds like a Gauntlet has been thrown down..I don't own a car thats poorly tuned or not frequently abused! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif[/img] Can I get in on this action?

Re: Higher value 69 Chevelle COPO 427 or L-78/L89?
 

Tim,

If your thinking of bringing The Glacier Blue L89 Post Sedan, there is NOTHING STOCK on that motor.....we need a completely bone stock L89 Chevelle. Nice try Tim [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

But Tim please do bring the Glacier Blue Post to SCR16, love to see her again....I`ll even say for the record you`ll be the fastest Abody Car at SCR16 on a bias ply tire.

Dan