Fred Gibb COPO

[Ray Morrison]

Chevrolet was doing well in the stick classes of NHRA Drag Racing, but Ford & Chrysler had very little competition from them in the automatic classes. With this being said, Fred Gibb, who owned and operated a Chevrolet Dealership in LaHarpe, IL, was a very successful drag racer,being the AHRA National Stock Eliminator Champion in 1968,who noticed this void. He approached GM officials with the idea that Chevrolet needed to get involved in the automatic classes. Chevrolet agreed to build 50 L-78 Novas and redesign the M-40 Turbo, with extra clutches and heavier springs to take the abuse of the torque and rpm of the solid lifter 396. Since the 396-375 had been introduced in the Nova as a Regular Production Option (RPO) in April, there were only 667 of these L-78 Novas produced in 1968, according to the information I have? Since GM only offered these with a stick shift as a RPO, the process to get the 50 Special Built Novas for Gibb was done through the Central Office Production Order process. It is thought this is the first time this process was used to get a group of race cars built for any dealer? Gibb again used this same process, in getting Chevrolet to build the ZL-1, later in 69, however the first 2 were delivered to his dealership on New Year's Eve 1968. The number 50 on both of these COPO (#9738 & #9560) built cars was because the National Hot Rod Association required this as a minimum amout to recognize them as a production vehicle and set up a class for them. With this said, this is the reason for Gibb placing an order for 50 of each one. These 50 Novas were all built by July 15, 1968. Upon receipt of these 1968 COPO Novas, Gibb sold a large number of these cars to individuals as he had received them from GM, however some made their way to Dick Harrell Performance Center in Kansas City, MO for special modifications of the 396 and also the 427 transplants.

[bkhpah]

Ray, You are the MAN!!!
BKH

[JoeC]

I have read that the 1968 COPO Nova TH400 cars were the first COPOs built for racing but I have also read that the 1966 Yenko Stinger Corvairs and the 1963 Z11 cars with Alu front clip were built using the COPO process. Anyone have more info on this?

[bowtie3168]

Joe,
I just saw Dave Strickler's "Old Reliable" , and Dick Milner's "Allen Green Chevrolet" Z-11 Impalas at "The York US 30 Reunion" a few months ago. The cars were 2dr Hardtop Impalas with aluminum components that follow:hood,fenders,battery tray,radiator support,bumpers,bumper brackets,gravel shields,water pump, and intake manifold. The intake manifold was a two (2) piece unit! The cars had radio and heater delete. The gentleman who owns these two cars also owns a third Z-11. I will call him to get more info. Hope this helps.
Andrew

[JoeC]

Andrew - If you get the chance, ask him if he has any GM paperwork showing COPO numbers or special assembly instructions for the Z11.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

JoeC;
I will call the owner today to inquire as to any GM paperwork that he has on the Z11 cars, and if any COPO orders were used in their construction.

This owners collection is simply awesome!! I have been there, and didn't want to leave. He also has the highest optioned '70 Yenko Nova found, it is an ex-demo car in Gobi Beige. This collection has Hemi/Wedge Mopars, lightweights, vettes, Fords, Chevy's - Amazing!!!
Marlin

[REDZ]

I have one of the 1963 Z-11 Impalas. It was originally raced in the Detroit area by three guys who worked in the GM Tech Center and was sponsored by Floyd Forin Chevrolet. It is currently on display at Floyd Garrett's Muscle car Museum in Sevierville, TN.

It's my understanding that even though these cars were built at the factory as "ready-to- run" drag cars , they were handled as RPO (Regular Production Order) cars rather than under a COPO process.

Micky Hale restored this car for me several years ago. I'm sure he can answer a lot of questions about these cars. How about it Mick?

[Edited by REDZ (10-31-2000 at 04:08 PM).]

[Edited by REDZ (11-01-2000 at 09:21 AM).]

[Edited by REDZ (11-01-2000 at 09:24 AM).]