Ohio COPO Dealers

[68l30]

Stefano,I'll look into my books to find the news articals.If I remember correctly most of the ones I have are just a two to three line add for the "new 427 Camaros and Chevelles $4995".These ran in the daily papers in Cleveland in July 1969.Some of the smaller city papers ran some larger adds,sorry I can't remember which.

Peter D,I didn't want to take anything away from So.Cal.There were/are a lot of great names and history to come from that area.I feel the huge amount of diversity in the Ohio area as well as the manufacturing/blue coller money ,in the day, set the stage for what we had/have today.Does anyone remember a backyard racer named Mr.Gasket?

Steve

[Stefano]

Steve,
Too cool, I can't wait to see what you dig up.

While we are on the subject of digging... does any one remember a Dayton/Lebonon Resident drag racer who campaigned an Emerald Green 1955 Chevy up to at least 1971. He would have raced it at Tri-County South of Dayton and probably Edgewater.

He also had a steet Racer/Driver,which was also occasionally run at the tracks. A very stock Silver Black vinyl top X-11 trimmed 1969 COPO Camaro. It was still running factory NC8 exhaust when he windowed the original L72.

[Tenney]

I also recall the Rat Pack, whitetop. Serious cars with some loud paint. Can picture a candy red '70 Chevelle, in particular, with "Rat Pack" on the front fenders at the '78 CC Nats. Remember the Blue Nova, too. It did help launch the Pro Street thing. Gary Kolofski's '55 probably had a hand this, too. And Steve Lisk's Lenco'd Hemi Challenger meant business, as well. That is, before the whole deal sorta went full-Dobbertin and fairground racers were everywhere. Think Scott may have gone on to build a couple of cool shoeboxes ('55 and '57)?

Was a little young to remember a ton from the Yenko years, but did grow up playing hockey with a couple of Tufo's sons (One whose nickname was Fencil, BTW).

BTW - If I recall correctly, Bill Porterfield (of the ZL-1 Porterfields) was running around in a blown, mid-engined '78 Olds 442 at the Nats back then.

[Mr Yenko]

The orig. owner of my COPO Camaro said that they called these cars SS427's. And mine was purchased from Byrne Brothers. Just my .02 cents. Mayor of Fishkill

[whitetop]

Hello Tenney
I remember the '55 and the Challenger as well. I can still remember the look on Lisk's face in a pic in Pop Hot Rod as he sat in the car. Meanest look on somebody's face I've ever seen even to today. There was a small burb in a mag 4-5 years ago that '55 is alive and well in the new owners garage and is still the same as originally featured. Porterfield had a ZL-1 in a Kelmark GT before he did the mid engine Olds. He was in a mid engine kick for a while. I went to the '77-79 Street Machine Nat's in Indy. Wish I took a camera. Definetely a less serious time. I agree with you, Dobbertin was the one that set the stage for seriousness and perfection with his Nova and later his J2 Pontiac.
Dave

[COPO]

Speaking of Rick Dobertin, we used to street race in the industrial park in front of his shop in the late '70's early 80's in VA. I remember going by his place almost weekly to see his progress on the Nova and the Pontiac. Incredible craftsman!

[FESTIVAL78]

Am I wrong or was Dobbertin building some kind of "Surface orbiting wheeled spacecraft" with his wife that he was to circumnavigate the planet with? It looked like a stainless steel semi-tractor trailer with 6 wheels and a pointed front. ?? Sorry for being weird but I swear it was him (1988?)

[Stefano]

Does any one have any info on Frost Chevrolet in Mechanicsburg, Ohio? They were to have sold five COPO Camaros, to include the Rally Green one featured in the 'Muscle Cars of the '60s' magazine dated January 13th 1969.

[Z28DZ]

Hmmm, shuffle, shuffle. I recently bought a black RS COPO (needs restored) that was sold by Frost Chevrolet. It originally belonged to the brother of the original owner of said Rally green car. I don't know a lot about the dealer, though they dabbled in hipo Chevy's. From what I understand, the green and (my) black car, plus 2 others, were the first batch (Late May - early June 69?) and another unit arrived later (Sept 69?). I may not have my info correct as I am still putting the history together. If anyone has more info, please chime in.

[Stefano]

Sounds like an awesome combo. What other options and trim does the COPO have?