COPO Chevelle plants

[Postsedan]

The "Brawl" that could have been at SCR9...hehehe

"put-em up, put-m up, put-em up.

Dan.

[COPO_Anders]

I understand it is very unlikely to find a COPO Chevelle built anywhere else than in Baltimore.

[TxMCR]

Someone on Chevelles.com brought this forum to my attention. This is a list of questions for the 3 copo experts Dan, John, & Stefano

1. How many 1969 Copo Chevelles were built? I hear that the estimate is 323.
2. How many of those are Yenko Copo Chevelles? Only 95 vins are listed on the registry.
3. Since all Yenko Chevelles were built in Baltimore does that mean all Copo Chevelles were also built in Baltimore?
4. What about the 1 verified Copo Chevelle that was built in California. How could it be a COPO and not be built in Baltimore?
5. What vehicles did the Kansas City plant produce in 1969? My info says Chevelles and El Caminos
6. Didn't Kansas City start stamping the vin on the oil filter boss instead of the engine pad? Let's hear from other Kansas City car owners on this subject.
7. This motor is a 427 and it is obviously stamped as Kansas City. What car did it come in? Corvette motors are St Louis right?
8. Since Ed @ copo.com has closed his site & registry is any car still considered certified?
9. If a car has a CE (warranty) block should it still be considered a real COPO?
10. What test can be done on a block to verify that it isn't a restamp?

I am sure you guys can answer these questions easily.

Thank-you

[TxMCR]

Where are John, Dan & Stefano? I know you guys can answer these questions since you are the experts.

[Stefano]

[ QUOTE ]
Someone on Chevelles.com brought this forum to my attention. This is a list of questions for the 3 copo experts Dan, John, & Stefano

1. How many 1969 Copo Chevelles were built? I hear that the estimate is 323. <font color="red"> No one knows for certain at this point but the 323 number does seem to support the number of accepted 9561 Copo Chevelle engines built. </font>

2. How many of those are Yenko Copo Chevelles?

Only 95 vins are listed on the registry.

<font color="red"> Approx 100 were Canonsburg built Yenko Chevelles and it is believed that an additional 10 were direct ordered by Jack Douglas Chevrolet. </font>

3. Since all Yenko Chevelles were built in Baltimore does that mean all Copo Chevelles were also built in Baltimore?

<font color="red"> No, per Jim Mattison the California Van Nuys/Freemont plant did build at least some Copo Chevelles and Camaros, both which exist as documented examples today. Baltimore and Van Nuys/Freemont are the only documented examples which exist today. </font>

4. What about the 1 verified Copo Chevelle that was built in California. How could it be a COPO and not be built in Baltimore? <font color="red"> We have been aware that some Copos were built in California, based on Jim Mattison's statements and info. He worked for the Central Office/Copo dept back in the day. </font>

5. What vehicles did the Kansas City plant produce in 1969? My info says Chevelles and El Caminos <font color="red">

Yes. </font>

6. Didn't Kansas City start stamping the vin on the oil filter boss instead of the engine pad? <font color="red"> Yes. </font> Let's hear from other Kansas City car owners on this subject. <font color="red"> Why, no issue </font>

7. This motor is a 427 and it is obviously stamped as Kansas City. What car did it come in? Corvette motors are St Louis right?

<font color="red"> Yes, but the engine in question would not pass the scrutiny of being an original/untouched factory as stamped engine, IMO. So it could have come out of quite a few different cars. </font>

8. Since Ed @ copo.com has closed his site &amp; registry is any car still considered certified?

<font color="red"> Ed's certifications did not have an experation or renewal date. Do Galen's certifications or inspections lapse? Properly inspected, certified and documented cars, with good history/pedigree have no issues selling in todays market. There are other qualified entities who still certify and inspect COPO cars. </font>

9. If a car has a CE (warranty) block should it still be considered a real COPO? <font color="red">Is a real Hemi Daytona with a correct dated factory replacement engine still a Hemi Daytona. I sure think so </font>

10. What test can be done on a block to verify that it isn't a restamp? <font color="red"> Experience is key, years of looking and analyzining Chevy stamps and broach marks goes a long way. Pulling off your right head may clearly show if any work was done to the pad. </font>

I am sure you guys can answer these questions easily.

Thank-you

[/ QUOTE ] <font color="red"> Hope this helps. </font>

[TxMCR]

Stefano - Thank-you for taking the time to answer the questions for the most part. Still didn't answer what car this clearly 1969 427 motor could have come from.

So you are now questioning the vin stamp at the oil filter boss. That this motor wasn't installed into a Kansas City built car. I am attaching a photo of this area.

[TxMCR]

Here is the engine pad with a straight edge along it. I would like to know where the "belly" is that John or Dan (forget which "expert" stuck his foot in mouth first)

Come on guys, I know that the eyes get fuzzy after 40.

[TxMCR]

Just in case you didn't see that I will send another picture from a different angle

[Stefano]

You would do well to reread all the above posts about the stamping of your engine. I don't think anyone mixed any words. I'm not questioning it now. I questioned it then and did provide my opinion which has not changed since I looked at the engine and stampings. But, it is after all just my humble opinion.

I stopped by a noted engine builder just the other day he had no less than 6 fresh restamps/restoration blocks being put together. Several were Stamped as L72s but didn't even start out with 4 bolt mains. This is not a new phenomenon.

[TxMCR]

here is the engine pad in question. Don't ever make the mistake of cleaning off the engine pad with a scotch brite pad because it will cause slight scratching from side to side. This was actually their "proof" at the SCR9. Imagine my surprise to find that they revised their reason based on a non-existing belly on the engine pad.