possible copo

[CJP_69]

Kurt S,
Too bad you weren't closer, I'd have you come look at this car. Is there anybody on this site who was actually on the assembly line who can comment on this. Unless you were there, or have documentation from the Norwood plant on actual day to day output and production, to unequivocally say "NO WAY", although you surely have plenty of data to compare, its wrong to make the assumption. If Mr. Mattison could comment on this. On one of his previous posts, he stated that a body for a "special" could be built through the Fisher body plant a few weeks prior to going down the assembly line and that supplying rears were a problem. Maybe you're right. But if a rear switch is the case, according to the previous owner, it would have been done prior to 1980 as this is the way the car was when his friend initially bought it(and owned it from 1981-1984). I asked about date coding on the radiator because it has an "F". Could this also be a June date code, and if so, could the car have gone down the line in June? Maybe someone in the 1970's stripped a June built COPO to build this car. I know it is all speculation, and it's not going to change this car one way or another, but just when you think you know the answer, a car like this changes the question.
Thanks- Chris

[Stefano]

Chris,
It is unlikely that the rear is original to the Camaro based on the data which exists (per Kurt). The COPO clues which you mention point in that direction, but are easily added to the Camaro.

Since you appearantly have a low miles original sheet metal and unrestored Camaro, I would say that it would behoove you to pay for an expert opinion as to the possible status of the car.

With only four owners and the car having been 'local' you would think that there would be more info. available about the Car itself.

What are the dates and part numbers of the internal components like the ring and pinion of your rear axle housing and do all the proper COPO specific items exist?

[Kurt S]

A car was not scheduled until all components were available. When they come off the end of the line, they are ready to ship, not waiting on parts. No plant is big enough to do that...... JohnZ was there and confirms that. I worked in assembly plants and confirm that.

#'s look like a COPO, axle doesn't look original to the car. Could be they swapped with another racer, who knows....
I never assumed it was wrong, I said I doubt it is the original axle. Please don't say I said something I didn't.

BTW Jeff, 11,000 cars is about 2 weeks production......

[Jeff H]

I doubt it's the original rear as well. 2 weeks is a long time frame for a car to have been started and then sit around waiting for a component like a BE rear. I would think they would stick a regular 4.10 rear in a car to keep the line moving then pull something aside like that. Chris, what are the dates on the other components inside the rear? Are there any signs that the rear could have been removed at some point in it's life or are the u-bolts so rusted that it looks like it's been there forever? Kurt, does CRG have any cars on record that have documentation like the p-o-p with a rear that was stamped incorrectly? I'm wondering what the chances would be that it's an 0510 rear that was stamped 0610? I just think it's a curious situation and the car sure seems to be a COPO but the rear really throws an odd curve. I still think it would be an amazing coincidence that someone would end up swapping one BE rear for another BE rear especially if most people didn't even know the significance of those rears way back when. This is the kind of stuff that helps us all learn more so I hope I'm not wasting anyone's time with my comments! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[CJP_69]

Jeff H,
I haven't pulled the cover yet to check the rear internals.
The car has rusted J bolt traction bars. Axle tubes have extra welding to center section and leafspring buckets are tack welded to body. A BE swap with that close of a date is absolutely possible but how probable. In the Dealer Order Procedures thread, T Billigen states he has a February dated Yenko with a March rearend. Is that rear original? Maybe he can reply.

Kurt S,
Do you have data on any 05E COPO with body number or vin before or after this car with known rear end dates?
Thanks-Chris

[T Billigen]

I will check on the correct date on my rear sometime this week. My car is a 2-D and I think my rear is a March the third?

[CJP_69]

T Billigen,
Thanks for your input.

Joe C,
I already checked. Layer of surface rust. Nothing observable. Thanks anyway-Chris

[shor]

CJP, Does your BE stamp look like this? Do you have a picture?

[JoeC]

Does it have the original front fenders? If so see if there are any numbers hand written inside the forward lower panels.

[Kurt S]

All 05E cars have May axles, COPO and non-COPO.
Later 02D cars can have early March axles. Not relavent to the 05E cars.

And the cast date of E26/8 9 means the June code is correct. Cast about the same time the car was built. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Several COPO's in RI. I still like the swapped with another racer theory. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]