Canadian COPO found after 31 years of ownership

**TXSS** · #1 10-11-2009, 07:05 AM

I thought I would share a great story that developed over the past few days.

A few months ago I was talking to a friend about a 69 Camaro he had owned for 31 years and wanted to get it back on the road. He had known the car most of his life and purchased it when he turned 18. There had always been rumors about it being an L78 car and that the original 396 was replaced by the dealer with a 427. Sense he and the car were both from Canada he decided earlier this week to contact GM Canada and see what info if any they had on the car. When he got the fax on Thursday from GM he was shocked to find out it's a COPO. Hugger Orange Rally Sport M22 4speed. No spoiler, dog dish, console gauges. Origanaly delivered to McDonald Chevy Olds Halifax Nova Scotia. It's a very complete original car. The body has all of it's original sheet metal, some needs a little work, floors are perfect, original M22, perfect original interior. The hidden vin is in perfect shape and matches the vin on the dash. No rebodied car here. He knows were the 427 is that was in the car when he was a kid but if the rumors are true it may be a CE block.

Just a great story and goes to show you that they're still out there. I've posted a few pictures below.

CDNL-78 · #2 10-11-2009, 08:23 AM

Gotta love that GM of Canada documentation. George is a real decent guy to talk to on the phone. & of course, a real kwool car too. Is the original owner restoring it, or has it been sold to another party. Great find.

**quick-bowtie** · #3 10-11-2009, 09:25 AM

An its an RS car too.. Its turning into the year of finding RS COPO's Very Cool and a great color

**Xplantdad** · #4 10-11-2009, 09:27 AM

[ QUOTE ]
An its an RS car too.. Its turning into the year of finding RS COPO's Very Cool and a great color

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed! Great find

**MosportGreen66** · #5 10-11-2009, 06:28 PM

What a great find! Congrats to all and please post photos of the restoration for us to learn from.

-Dan

budnate · #6 10-11-2009, 07:08 PM

I think Joe said it best awhile back, finding a COPO is great but finding one allready in your garage is the best.

72 72 RS '69's are gorgeous combo's...

**TXSS** · #7 06-25-2010, 04:51 PM

Tim ask me to post this, thought some might enjoy the story and the picture. The image is a pdf file so it may not display unless you have Acrobat

I had dinner with the second owner, Keith Dagley, on Tuesday night. Great experience and interesting stories. In his time the car lost 1 street race. He lost traction and let a 1972 340 Duster beat him. He never knew what he had (COPO) but knew it was fast. He gave me the attached picture. 1972, him (21 years old) and his girlfriend. They were married shortly after the photo and are still married today. Awesome evening and he had fresh lobster on the stove.

COPO's 2nd Owner

**Xplantdad** · #8 06-25-2010, 06:47 PM

Here you go...cool pic!

**mockingbird812** · #9 06-25-2010, 07:08 PM

Very nice. LOVE the history. Good job tracking it down! Its always nice meeting new folks that can fill you in on your car's history. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

**TXSS** · #10 06-25-2010, 09:04 PM

Thanks Bruce. I wasn't sure how to get the pdf file to display correctly.

My understanding is that the car was in "like new" condition when this picture was taken. Would love to have seen it.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.