When did you first discover C.O.P.O. cars

[jayme]

Growing up in suburban Pittsburgh, I became aware of the COPO's because of Yenko Chevrolet in the early 80's. Having been born in 1970, I learned about the "good days" from my uncle. He was always a Corvette fanatic and his first Vette was a 65 396 that needed a new block in about 1967 or 1968. He bought one of the 396 blocks from Yenko that came from a transplant car. I always thought that was cool. That made me want to learn more about what the Yenko cars were and the COPO's as well.

[PeteLeathersac]

[ QUOTE ]
Growing up in suburban Pittsburgh, I became aware of the COPO's because of Yenko Chevrolet in the early 80's. Having been born in 1970, I learned about the "good days" from my uncle. He was always a Corvette fanatic and his first Vette was a 65 396 that needed a new block in about 1967 or 1968. He bought one of the 396 blocks from Yenko that came from a transplant car. I always thought that was cool. That made me want to learn more about what the Yenko cars were and the COPO's as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is Uncle's Vette still around....the Vin on the block could be interesting? .

I've known of Copo Camaros since the 70's too....it's the Chevelles & Novas that were the unknown 'til the 80's for me. . I heard tales of a Chevelle for years....when the mystery came to light it's Keith Tedford's car! .



~ Pete

[68l30]

[ QUOTE ]
New guy here, first post. Not big on writing just enjoy the reading. But this post i had to respond to.

Back in Brunswick Ohio in the early 80s there was a car show every year at the high school that i would find someone or someway to get there (early teens)to check out all the 69 Chevelles.

There was a very dark blue 69 there that looked like a SS (hood and rims) but didnt have any emblems on it. Remember standing there while the owner was in a heated debate with someone else that he didnt take the emblems off the car, he bought the car this way and it was special order. Real or not, dont know, just know i was hooked.


Bob Adamsky

[/ QUOTE ]


Wow....Brings back some memories..Sounds like the Grady B. COPO Chevelle...I used to go there every year..Ever hit Carney's or Ames plaza back then?

Steve

[olredalert]

------Yup,,,Ill bet that blue COPO was Gradys car. It still looks the same today.
------My first encounter with COPOs was at the Chevy dealer in Wellesley Ma. in about May of 1969. I was looking for a new Chevelle or Camaro and as I was standing beside the salesman a car-hauler pulled in thier lot with a full load of COPO Chevelles. I dont know how many were destined to stay at that dealer, maybe only one. To this day I cant understand why I didnt buy that one, but maybe it was an ordered car. I ended up with a garnet red 396/350 4-spd Camaro that I only kept for about 6 months. The lure of a 67 427/435 Vette got me to part with it.........Bill S

[jayme]

Pete,

My Uncle sold it in 1969 because he had just bought a new 1969 Vette. He is still around, thank goodness. I have never asked if he kept any info on that car. I need to do that. I know he has lots of photos and it would be an easy car to trace to him. I've always wondered if it is still around. It was a Nassau blue coupe, originally from the Pittsburgh area.

[SS427]

You definitely need to check on any paperwork and post any early pictures here! The current owner (if the car still exists)I am sure would love to have both and it would also be cool to reunite the possible current owner with your uncle assuming they have not already tried.
Rick

[Bob Adamsky]

Steve, yes Carney`s was the place on Saturday nights!!! I would take my 69 SS there every Saturday night and my Dad would take his blown pink Vega (yes, candy pink with 350 w/6-71 in full pro street trim)We were there right up to the last night before it was shut down.

I went home last summer for a visit and I see they are back there again. Not as big, but still there.

Do you remember when it got so big people were starting to bring old funny cars up there on trailers?

Bob Adamsky

[Tim Penton]

olredalert, Tell us about your '67 435 hp 'Vette. Was it a roadster or coupe? What color? What kind of times did it run? Thanks, Tim

[68l30]

I remember the vega....Yeah,it was never really the same after Carney's...I was there the last night,parked right up on the block for take out....I just got my horns working that day for the final blow at the end of the night...Wish I could go back.

Steve

[olredalert]

Tim,

-----Thanks for the interest but I didnt end up doing much with that car besides just driving it. It was a red roadster with sidepipes and Americans. I moved to Ft. Lauderdale towing a 16ft. Banshee with a 125 Merc shortly after buying it and about two months later it was stolen. Had a hard time with the insurance co. as I recall. Also had a green 1966 Griffith at the same time. Dual quad 289cu/350hp Cobra power. 1850lbs dripping wet,,,,now that thing was fast!!!!........Bill S