[Stefano]

The first COPO purpose built Super Car/Race Car was the Corvair Stinger in 1966. It is my opinion that Don was the Pioneer in getting GM to build special cars for racing purposes,in any volume.

Dickie started with Nickey in Early '66 and then teamed up with Don Yenko sometime in 1967. Since Don had an established open door to the factory ,it wouldn't be a stretch to think that he could have started to lobby for a factory COPO built Camaro as soon as he was aware that GM was making the big block available?

While it is not confirmed with any docs. It is possible that Don Yenko established a relationship with Dickie while he was still working with Nickey, through Span Inc.

Tom Stephani has said that his father Jack, confirmed that Don Yenko did come to the dealership to check out the Nickey operation.

Fred Gibb also obviously had the relationship to get things done with GM. There were very few dealerships across the country, which had the business and personal relationships to get these special projects done.