1962 COPO Impala 409? First COPO?

[REDZ]

Concerning the '62 Z-11 package, I don't know if it was a COPO program or not, but I think it is fairly well accepted now that Chevy did put aluminum front ends on 10 to 20 Impalas at the end of the '62 model year. I was told that these were all hardtop plain Impalas, no bubbletops, no Biscaynes and no super sports. One of these cars is in the Indianapolis area. It was orginally raced out of that area under the Zintmaster Chevrolet dealership sponsorship. Supposedly, the window sticker is still in the car.

My understanding is that the '62 Z-11 package consisted of only the aluminum front ends, with the trick heads and intake not being installed until the 1963 model year. According to Rusty Symnes, who has written a booklet about these cars and seems to know more about them than anyone else, the Tonowanda engine plant has records of 50 of the Z-11 engines being built for the '63 model year. If this is true, then the accepted number of 57 cars is about 12 to 17 too many....probably about 40-45 built with 5 to 10 spare engines. Normally, they produced about 10% spares which would indicate 45 cars.... but not much was normal when you consider that they were making these wild cars at all.

[Edited by REDZ (07-06-2001 at 07:49 PM).]

[Belair62]

Rusty has THE finest 62 Belair I have ever seen. Wonder if he ever looks in on this site ? As for the Ponchos,they also called that trans-axle the Powershift trans.It was a 4 speed according to my materials. It could be set up for a converter or a clutch! They also used a flexible or "rope" driveshaft which was connected directly to the crankshaft.What a strange piece. There were 6 DOCUMENTED Lemans SD coupes and 6 DOCUMENTED Tempest wagons. Look for Pete McCarthy's book Pontiac Musclecar Performance 1955-1979 for some really cool info and pics on these beasts as well as Swiss Cheese and the rest of the Super Duty Pontiacs.

[Edited by Belair62 (07-06-2001 at 09:33 PM).]

[Chevy454]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR>Rusty has THE finest 62 Belair I have ever seen. Wonder if he ever looks in on this site ?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob:

I've always wondered if Rusty is ever on the net. From what I have read, he has owned (or still does for that matter) several neat cars...isn't he in IL also?

[69motion]

there was a alum nose floating around PA. last year i saw it at pittsburg parts arama the asking price was $3500 i thought that was cheap i took the mans number i look for it if anyone is interseted jeff

[Belair62]

I think Rusty is in Indiana. Jeff,if you happen to find that number for the aluminum nose pass it along to me.Can't imagine it's still available though.An old buddy out in St.Charles Illinois,Tom,forgot more about 62 Belair 409's than I know.Learned a lot from him.Not sure if he is online though. He is too cheap for that. (that should flush him out if he is online now! )

[Belair62]

Must have pressed button twice...duh

[Edited by Belair62 (07-07-2001 at 11:25 AM).]

[Tony S]

Hi, I am new to this board. I am currently investigating the history of the COPO system and found this thread.
FYI.. in a previous post....
I was speaking with the owner of Dave Stricker's 1962 Bel Air "The Old Reliable" during last year's "York US 30 Reunion".

The current owner Don Fezell considers Old Reliable to be a 63. He recently displayed his "3" Z-11s at the all GM National at Carlisle. The air cleaner covers alone are valued at $23,000.00. Sheesh.

In the same building were 5 of Gary Holubs Yenkos. Each in a different color.

COPO Heaven for sure..

Regards,
Tony Schaefer
Founder Chevytalk.Com

[Chevy454]

Tony:

Glad to see you made it! I'm just curious if you attended the recent GM Carlisle event? If you did, then you may have bumped into a few of the members of this board! If you attended the seminar on Yenkos then you saw Brian and Marlin, known as "BKH" and "Yenko Duece Registry" respectively here on the board. Plus, several of the members here attended, and are into the COPO cars BIG TIME.

So, I guess what I am saying is, "welcome", and I think you came to the right place to answer your questions!

[Casey Marks]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR>..."Yenko Duece Registry"...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rob, isn't it spelled *Deuce* ????

Geeesh .... a Mopar / Olds guy hasta tell the Yenko guy how to spell Deuce ......!

[Edited by Casey Marks (07-08-2001 at 11:17 AM).]

[Chevy454]

Yeah, yeah, Casey...nice catch! Don't make me go an lock this thread cause a Mopar guy is here!