Where COPO's Go To Die

[PLATINUM6BBL]

I was in 10th grade and a senior had a 69 Nova that had many small blocks in it. A friend of mine, who was a year older than me, knew the car well and said that some Dukes Of Hazard lovin' guy had bought the car from the original owner and that it was an original 427 car. The DOH guy thought it'd be fun to continually jump the car until the point of putting the pan into the crank. That is how the 427 went out and a long series of small blocks went in. The car ended up with another friend who dirt tracked & enduro raced the car. It was in this configuration that I stopped to look at it and write down the vin number. No, I don't know where that number is after moving 3 times. I could also see it was originally a light blue metallic in color. Didn't know about cowl tags at the time. After sitting in his fathers junk yard for a few years the whole place was crushed out.

[resto4u]

At some point this car will just be a rebody. It would be nice to atleast get that car indoors to slow down the rust demons. Someone should offer him a place to keep indoors at no cost, with a written offer of first refusal when it is sold. No one lives forever.

[whitetop]

Originally Posted by resto4u

At some point this car will just be a rebody. It would be nice to atleast get that car indoors to slow down the rust demons. Someone should offer him a place to keep indoors at no cost, with a written offer of first refusal when it is sold. No one lives forever.

He has an empty garage he can keep it in. I would be darn if I kept another guys car in my garage I will never have a chance to own.. He was offered 30k and turned it down. His grandson also has garage space he can keep it in.

I say F'em and let it rust back into the ground. Can't help stupid.

[PapsMaro]

Hey, so I’m the grandson of the owner for the car in the original pictures. It was bought it barnesville at bobs. 427 4 speed lemans blue, I have the original title, it’s just as sad to me that it’s been sitting. I’m going to try to restore or as one said rebody it. I’m not sure the best route to take yet about moving the car. I really don’t have the means to lift it so I may just take piece by piece. Would love any advice and help anyone could offer. Thanks in advance.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Originally Posted by PapsMaro

Hey, so I’m the grandson of the owner for the car in the original pictures. It was bought it barnesville at bobs. 427 4 speed lemans blue, I have the original title, it’s just as sad to me that it’s been sitting. I’m going to try to restore or as one said rebody it. I’m not sure the best route to take yet about moving the car. I really don’t have the means to lift it so I may just take piece by piece. Would love any advice and help anyone could offer. Thanks in advance.

Great first post!!!

Lots of experts on here, to help get it safe, stop the deterioration and you best go get the original engine!!!

Ryan W31

[L78M22Rag]

Originally Posted by whitetop

At least 5 Copo's were sold or ended up within a few miles my little berg of 5000 people. Must be something in the water.

Here is another -original owner car last driven in late 70's. This one sits a few miles or so from the rusty one. Original paint other than touchup lower fenders and quarters.

Yeah, this looks like one that’s worth a healthy price. Thanks for sharing the dream... as if I didn’t have enough trouble sleeping already ;-)

[R68GTO]

Originally Posted by PapsMaro

Hey, so I’m the grandson of the owner for the car in the original pictures. It was bought it barnesville at bobs. 427 4 speed lemans blue, I have the original title, it’s just as sad to me that it’s been sitting. I’m going to try to restore or as one said rebody it. I’m not sure the best route to take yet about moving the car. I really don’t have the means to lift it so I may just take piece by piece. Would love any advice and help anyone could offer. Thanks in advance.

There's quite a few guys from this site that live up your way that might be willing to help you out. If not, then send me a PM, I would be happy to drive over and help you some weekend. I enjoy this kind of stuff especially since I have a Lemans Blue COPO sitting in my garage.. Great post, welcome to the site!
Jim

[John]

.... PapsMaro,

... Welcome to the site.

... I am sure that there are 4 to 6 guys that would gladly come over to help you dismantle your camaro and show you what parts are still good on the car and help you move it to a dry location to start figuring out a plan for your restoration. This car needs to be saved.
I hope you reach out to those in your area to help you out.
Good luck and keep us in the loop as to the future of the restoration.
... Sincerely ,
John

....

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by PapsMaro

Hey, so I’m the grandson of the owner for the car in the original pictures. It was bought it barnesville at bobs. 427 4 speed lemans blue, I have the original title, it’s just as sad to me that it’s been sitting. I’m going to try to restore or as one said rebody it. I’m not sure the best route to take yet about moving the car. I really don’t have the means to lift it so I may just take piece by piece. Would love any advice and help anyone could offer. Thanks in advance.

You will need a trailer with a winch or a rollback truck to SLOOOOOWLY pull it out of the ground. If the body is as rusted as the stories indicate, it could pull apart. It's going to be a slow process with lots of digging to eliminate any unnecessary resistance to remove it in one piece.
As for the restoration, a 1 piece repro shell is probably going to be needed. To rebuild it with donor/aftermarket parts, will cost a fortune. It will be great to save it, but it's too far gone to ever consider it a survivor or restoration.

If I were closer, I would be glad to help, as I have the means to get it out of the ground, but I'm 800 miles away...
These other guys that have offered, should be able to do the same extraction.
I wish you the best with getting this "home" and starting the rebuild.

[PapsMaro]

Got the car moved forward about 50ft away from a dead tree. Surprised the front wheels actually rolled. Going to come back in a few days to put it on a trailer to try to get to my house now that I have a place to put it. Thanks for the positive feedback, feeling a little overwhelmed at the enormity of the project but we’ll take it a step at time. Have original hood, rear end, tranny, and maybe a few other things. If anyone knows of the 427 they think was pulled from the car would love to get in touch with whoever has it.