Fencl Tufo and Brigance Chevrolet

[Stefano]

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These Chicago/area dealers sold many HI-PO chevys. I have seen Super Sports and L-78 cars. Anyone know of any COPO cars?

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Many years ago I met with "Mr. Ed" and he explained his involvement with Brigance Chevrolet and selling Hi-Po Muscle cars. Some of the car he mentioned ordering and selling were COPO 427 Camaros and Chevelles.

I let him know that to the best of my knowledge none had been found. He assured me that he did without question order these COPO cars.

I met an Individual at the most recent Vette/Fest who happens to have ordered and taken Delivery of a Black/Black COPO Camaro, in September of 1969. He ordered the car in May. Mr. Ed took the 1969 L78 Nova he had just recently sold him, back on trade.

He recalls paying $3,150.00 for the Nova, and getting $2,900.00 on trade against $3,800.00 for the COPO.

The COPO had very few options. He confirmed that other steet racers also went to Mr. Ed and purchased several COPO Camaros and at least one COPO Chevelle. He also mentioned that some of the street racers went to Bernard Chevrolet in Libertyville (North West Side) to purchase COPO cars

His Copo was street raced (Norh Ave) untill he left for his tour of Duty, in Vietnam that December. His parents sold the car soon thereafter.

He has pictures of the car but no docs. The story of how he came to know about the factory 427 cars is very interesting but I'll let him fill in the details

[hvychev]

Stefano, that was very exciting to hear about at Vette Fest. When I got back to work on that Monday, (I am a Sales Manager at Mr. Ed's Chevy dealer) I told him about the COPO story. Remember he is NOT into these cars and does NOT EVER go on the Internet. All this is from his memory. Before I told him the figures of what the guy paid he said, "Oh yeah the COPO Camaros I sold were about $3850." I couldn't believe it. It was almost dead on with what the Doctor at Vette Fest told Stefano.

On a related subject Mr. Ed and I went to Mecum auction and he ran into a guy that he knows who was selling his all original 70 Black stripeless LS6 Chevelle sold out of Mills Chevrolet in Moline, IL. The guy told him that a guy came up to him and told him that he had the TWIN to that car that he bought from Brigance Chevrolet from a Mr. Ed. He also told him that two of his other friends bought LS6's from Ed as well. Amazing that all these people remember there car salesman from 35-40 years ago. Ask your self if you remember your car sales man from even 2 years ago!

[Salvatore]

The gentlemen that sold me my first car a 69 nova SS was Walter Nelson, from Mullin Motors in Ambler, Pa. He told my dad that I didn't need a posi rear because I would wear out tires to fast! Frankie, I could probably tell you every dealership and salesman I ever bought a car from. New and used! Sam

[Xplantdad]

I agree Sam...but what did you have for dinner two nights ago?

[Salvatore]

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I agree Sam...but what did you have for dinner two nights ago?

[/ QUOTE ]I am sure it was something fattening!

[Xplantdad]

[DarrenX33]

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He told my dad that I didn't need a posi rear because I would wear out tires to fast!

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It's just not the same without the hand gestures.

[ORIGLS6]

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Amazing that all these people remember there car salesman from 35-40 years ago. Ask your self if you remember your car sales man from even 2 years ago!

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1:45 PM
June 20th, 1970
Fred Gibb Chevrolet
LaHarpe, Il
Herb Fox

[Mr70]

What a great way to spend a Saturday.

[hvychev]

Holy $hit Dennis! My parents were married the afternoon of June 20th 1970!!