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Vin 304370141309
A Sept engine and March build....possible but doubtful?.
If the seller truly bought his own story, wouldn't you think he'd be happy to state how he arrived at such a conclusion also back up his claims w/ castings and stampings in the ad...not say 'he believes' and mention things like how it's been 'thoroughly inspected' (by his own people)?.
Also if truly belived, why goof it up w/ added accessories and disc brakes during resto?.
If he'd skipped the Copo story the car may've even sold by now...or reached more than the 20 thou it did on eBay?.
I vote

!!!
This gem aside, what year was the Copo process first known to have been used anyway?.

~ Pete
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Pete,
I agree; that VIN would be a mid-March Oakland build.
I have '58 COPOs on record. As for when they began that process, my files don't include any cars prior to '58..
Verne
BTW, The Oakland plant also built trucks that year, so there would be plenty of 283s around. It's doubtful a Sept engine would find it's way in a March car.