1962 COPO Impala 409? First COPO?

[Carleen]

Indy, IN. 9/2/61 S/SS Don Nicholson '61 409 2x4 13.38 @ 109
Long Beach, CA 11/7/61 U/S P. Petre '61 409 2x4 13.30 @ 108



Fontana, CA. 7/14/62 U/S Jack Bayer '62 Z11 12.80 @114
Fontana, CA. 7/21/62 S/P H. Proffitt '62 Z11 13.05 @115
San Gabriel, CA. 7/28/62 A/FX H. Proffitt '62 Z11 12.40 @113
B/FX Cone Chev. 409 13.19 @110
Pomona, CA. 8/11/62 S/SS Butch Leal '62 409 12.57 @111
Long Beach, CA. 8/18/62 F/X H. Proffitt '62 Z11 12.22 @117
Indianapolis, IN. 9/2/62 S/SS H. Proffitt '62 Z11 12.83 @ 113
Emporia, VA. 10/6/62 S/SS D. Strickler '62 Z11 12.05 @ 120
Tampa, FL. 11/25/62 F/X Hubert Platt '62 Z11 11.69 @ 117
Long Beach, CA. 12/1/62 F/X H. Proffitt '62 Z11 11.75 @ 117
Long Beach, CA. 12/8/62 S/SS Butch Leal '62 Z11 12.26 @ 115
Long Beach, CA. 4/27/63 F/X F. Sanders '63 Z11 11.93 @ 120
Long Beach, CA. 4/21/63 A/S T. Lacobson '62 409 13.11 @ 109
F/X J. Bayer '63 Z11 11.92 @ 121
Henderson, NV. 4/21/63 U/S Vans Autos '62 Z11 12.88 @ 114

[Verne_Frantz]

Carleen, That's a lot to digest in your post but I can add some comments. First of all, there was no such thing as a '62 Z-11. Late in '62, the '63 Z-11 engine parts became available and some racers added them to their A/S 409s and then ran A/FX, (as shown in the Hayden Proffitt photo) but none of that was done at the factory or as a COPO.
The photo of Dyno Don's '62 with the "1962 1/2" on the rear window signified that the engine had been upgraded with '63 425hp parts (not Z-11) through a service package that was released in April '62. Joe Gardner's Northwind was always a stock 409hp '62.
As for COPOs, there were 10 std transmission W engines shipped between June 8th and July 7th '61 under a COPO order. I don't know the specs on those engines and its really not clear if they were 348s or 409s, but Chevy released an RPO on June 8th '61 for the 2x4 version of the 409. Since an RPO was released, I'm not sure why a COPO would be necessary to obtain those engines. There had to be something else different about them because they carried a different (higher) part number than the new 2x4 409. During that same time, 34 COPO W engines were shipped with Powerglide transmissions. I believe these were probably 348s for some fleet purchase.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[novadude]

Verne - so were any 409/409 cars actually assembled by GM in 1961 full size cars? Did they build any after June 8, 1961 using the '61 bodies? Don't know much about 409 history, but I always that that 100% of the limited production '61 409 was 1x4bbl.

[Verne_Frantz]

That is a question I hope to find the answer to before I die. Several records indicate the RPO availablity of the QA (380hp) and QB (409hp) after that June date, but NO real cars have surfaced that I know of. There is also no found record of QAs or QBs shipped by July 7th '61. The only record of &quot;shipped&quot; 409s by that date are for RPO 580 which was the 1x4 360hp version.
The most unusual piece of that puzzle I've come across is a '61 409 block (cast 623) with a QA suffix, indicating the Spl Hi-Perf 1x4 engine (meaning it had the large port heads and matching intake) BUT it was originally installed in a 1962 Chevy! There was a huge delay between the assembly of that engine and the '62 it was installed in.
I intend to cover a lot of this topic in the book I am currently writing, but I will avoid printing any hearsay or hobby rumors that have floated around for decades. I like to deal with truth that can be proven.

Grumpy looked at the deck stamp on my '62 '09 back in 1982 and said, &quot;huuumph!&quot;. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing!

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Verne_Frantz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is a question I hope to find the answer to before I die. Several records indicate the RPO availablity of the QA (380hp) and QB (409hp) after that June date, but NO real cars have surfaced that I know of. There is also no found record of QAs or QBs shipped by July 7th '61. The only record of &quot;shipped&quot; 409s by that date are for RPO 580 which was the 1x4 360hp version.
The most unusual piece of that puzzle I've come across is a '61 409 block (cast 623) with a QA suffix, indicating the Spl Hi-Perf 1x4 engine (meaning it had the large port heads and matching intake) BUT it was originally installed in a 1962 Chevy! There was a huge delay between the assembly of that engine and the '62 it was installed in.
I intend to cover a lot of this topic in the book I am currently writing, but I will avoid printing any hearsay or hobby rumors that have floated around for decades. I like to deal with truth that can be proven.

Grumpy looked at the deck stamp on my '62 '09 back in 1982 and said, &quot;huuumph!&quot;. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing!

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] </div></div>

You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy.

[Verne_Frantz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy. </div></div>

Yes, its on '61-'64 full size. NO racing or modified stuff. Just the way they were delivered. Thanks for your support.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy. </div></div>

x2

[Bayer Z-11]

First there were only 50 factory built ‘63
Impala Z-11s. Not 57.

Regarding the ‘62 aluminum front ends they were not installed at the factory. They were a service package item only Same as the intake, valley tray and heads released to a select few racers. There were no “Z-11s” in this model year.

Regarding ‘61 409. They were small port heads, solid lifter cam and aluminum intake with a single AFB. They were rated @ 360 HP when built. The 2x4 big port heads became a service package item late in the year just prior to the ‘62 model run.

[1967Z28]

Is there some documentation for 50 being the number of '63 Z-11s built? I've only ever seen the 57 quantity quoted.

[tjs44]

Guys I hate to interject in a very old COPO thread but as the 63 SD Tempest were mentioned I can give some info on the transaxle.The unit used a 2 speed Tempest TQ trans with a 2 speed planetary (spelling) bolted to it giving it a 4 speed manual Auto trans.No TQ converter.The car had a clutch with the unit mounted in the rear with a hyd bearing.They launced to car with the clutch and just shifted each gear with a console mounted shifter.Tom