Driving the Holy Grail Camaro - This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO ZL1 Tribute is a 550HP Sledgehammer
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- (video notes at bottom)
The story of the COPO Camaros is an interesting one. GM, somewhat bizarrely, had decreed that none of their cars (except the Corvette) less than full-size would have an engine greater than 400ci - and this dead in the middle of the muscle car craze. Chrysler was putting HEMIs in Dodge Darts and Chargers, and Ford was running 427s and 428s in their Mustangs. Given that, Camaros just weren't competitive on the streets or, more importantly, in the NHRA Super Stock class.
For dealers like Don Yenko and Fred Gibb who raced competitively and had a customer base doing the same, this simply wouldn't do. So they conspired with Vince Piggins, the head of GM's performance and supply division, to order a series of car in an unusual way - using the COPO (Central Office Production Order) program instead of the consumer level RPO (Regular Production Order) system. COPO was intended to be used by fleet services for special order vehicles that needed different equipment - taxi companies, police departments, roadwork companies, etc. By doing this, they were able to get some incredible factory-built race cars past the powers-that-be at GM.
Of those, the ZL1 is the top dog. It was ordered with the all-aluminum 427 big block that had been built for Bruce McLaren's Chaparral Can-Am race car, with Aluminum Heads and Block from the Winters Foundry, all tuned for maximum performance. Add a specially tuned Holley 4-bbl, a Muncie M22 (Rock Crusher) 4-speed, a 12-bolt POSI rear with heat-treated gears, and a special suspension, and you had the makings of the quickest production car ever built by GM, and one that is even competitive with today's technological supercars (at least in a straight line). Rated at a deceptive 425HP, they in fact produced something closer to 550HP, and would rip off a 13 second quarter mile in factory trim. Add headers and slicks at the back, and they would dip in to the 11s. This made them intensely competitive in several NHRA classes, but also made them intensely expensive with a ticker price over $7000 (by comparison, a loaded Cadillac Eldorado at the time came in at about $6700). And this for a "stripper" with no gauge package, no center console, and steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps.
As a result of the high price, Gibb wasn't able to sell the 50 or so cars he ordered (that number was need for homologation purposes). He pleaded with GM to distribute them around to other dealers, and they complied - the last ZL1 was sold in 1971, and many of the dealers removed the engines for other purposes to make the cars more affordable.
How times change. Now the remaining cars of the 69 1969 ZL1 Camaros built have become the Holy Grail of Collectors, with prime examples running up and over $1 million. This 1969 tribute car was put together by an incredibly skilled and dedicated professional car restorer as his own project. He painstakingly sourced original parts over the course of 6 years, and gave the car a frame-off rotisserie restoration. Real ZL1 Winters Heads and Intake, a Real ZL1-issued Holley Carburetor, and every other part on the car being true OEM with not a single reproduction part. He once drove 6 hours to get the correct alternator bracket, and paid $400 for a water pump pulley easily sourced for $40. The Carb took years to find, and was purchased for more than $5K before being professionally rebuilt by Holley. Even the Delco Horns are originals he has professionally restored.
All in all, you will not find a more faithful or original ZL1 tribute, and your friends will never know it's not the $1 million variety - everywhere you look at this car, the dedication bordering on obsession is evident, and it looks, runs, and drives as new.
Full review and test drive by Bill. This car will soon come available on Bring a Trailer, and depending on its success there, will otherwise be offered at Mecum Kissimmee in late August.
1. I keep saying Fred "Gibbs," which is driving me crazy. Fred "Gibb" was the dealer who ordered the cars. I blame the 300SL and Daytona for distracting my brain.
2. At 5:15, I misstate that Don Yenko's cars had aluminum block 427s, when I meant to say iron. - Авто та транспорт
Don't you just love it when a car is detailed properly and presented in a pristine condition they deserve.
The sound of that car running through the gears is directly from god.
@@curiouscars9282 how many yards per gallon does something like this get?
@@Geardos1 probably better than my charger
I drive an old beat up 1970 Buick Skylark 350 4bbl. A couple of weeks ago I was at the gas station filling up and somebody asked me what kind of mileage I get. I said "Don't know, don't care". Apparently (after seeing the look on thier face) they must have been serious. 🤣
@@9ZERO6
Fuck. Them. Tools
derek244 the Buick 350s actually aren’t too bad have a 72 with a 350 making 300-ish horse with an edelbrock and I calculated at 13.5 mpg with 3.42 gears lol not too bad for an old beast
Please still keep your one of a kind style.
@@curiouscars9282 At least 10 min rants please or I'm unsubscribing!
I tune in to Listen to Bill’s amazing encyclopedia of car knowledge and of the course the rambling on about birds and the lazy detailer ! By far one of the best car reviewers on the TUBE
Him and patrickglennnichols!
Bill, as a Camaro fan (I own a 2019) this one was a real treat to watch. Such an icon not only in the Camaro World but in the Auto industry as well. That color is gorgeous!! Thanks so much for showing us this one! What a beauty!!
jayjaylen75 Agreed!!
For the love of god, don’t ever lose your rants!!! I come back for those rants 🤘🏽 haha. The content just is so informative but the rants has me laughing at the times i need it!
Love the rants
DITTO!!
Yep 👍
Bill. Your
encyclopedic knowledge of many car manufacturers is amazing, but I hope your new channel format continues with your sarcasm, commentary on current events, weather and birds.
Hey Bill, the new endeavor will be a success as long as you're the Chief!! .. Can't wait to check it out!
me too!
That sound when a big block revs up fast! Holy shit!
One of the sweetest sounds ever. Like Bill said, America, F*ck Yeah!
Hats off to the dude that invested the time,money, and effort in this gorgeous ride.😍😍👊👊👍👍🤙🤙✌✌👏👏👏👏
Is Mike worried about blowing his witness relocation cover?
The ZL1 were all aluminum 427. The Yenko was L72 427 iron block.
Did Yenko swap the cam or did it stay stock L72?
I don't care about the dealership...just you Bill! Keep it up!
WOW! AWESOME! For anyone that has never ridden in one of these early Camaros or Novas with an engine like that, all I can say is you have no idea! THANKS FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!
Every single car in that room is absolutely amazing! My favorite cars from each manufacturer and love the early Panteras.
He should have done long tube headers
A car like this really really needs them and doesn’t hinder the car
Wow - gorgeous. Really needing this in the time where we are feeling so down in the country. Can't wait to see what you do next!!
Very well narrated and the display of the performance of the COPO Camaro was stunning.
Love your style and humor and especially the rants!!!! Looking forward to wherever this channel is headed!!! Almost at 50,000 subscribers damn hard to believe! Congrats Bill
Look at that lovely 300ZX crowding in to the opening frame. Gorgeous work setting up the shot!
Thx for all your vids Bill - love your personal portraits of some really eclectic cars.
Beautiful car. Love your videos. It's the highlight of my week!
same here! Did you see his Ghibli video?
We are all here for your commentary Bill! Feel free to review other things, not just cars.
"Original", it really does mean so much.
Jesus CHRIST I'm in LOVE. Favorite car ever. hands down
Superb video Bill, that engine noise is epic
A Absolutely Magnificent Build!
Remarkable, beautiful car. Thanks for the info. Great video!
Those were the best of days. Thanks for the video.
Good Lord she sounded phenomenal on song going through the gears! 🙏 That's a fantastic collection too!
This thing is jaw dropping! Beautiful.
I never realised just how many reviews you have undertaken! Progression of any kind seems natural. Hope the style remains and perhaps you can get out more around lovely Naples where there are targets a plenty for your caustic humour! Thanks for the legacy reviews and best of luck with whatever is coming down the line! Don't burn your bridges though!!
Great video Bill, that Chevy sounds soo good!! (nothing sounds like that in Europe!)
Ps all the best for your next adventure :)
A fantastic video! I'm a Mopar guy, thru and thru, I got some very nice rides, but the 69 Camaro was ALWAYS my favorite of ALL the Camaros.....that and the 61 Chev....The job done here is superb...the cam I believe is a .600 lift solid factory cam, with over 270 degrees at .050 duration...actually a racing cam.. bigger in lift specs than the L-88 cam which was also quite aggressive.....quite radical, and yes these engines are well above 500 horsepower. I hope the owner spends a LOT of time enjoying this beauty. By the way, 7k back in 69 is like about 50k today....I think...not all that bad when you realize the price of the new Challengers and Camaros. The drag pack Challengers are over 100 K today, and they go 9's
Those circlip inspired fog lamps... Pure awesomeness!
Thank you, hope you do more auto tour like this one. I see this is one of your older videos. Please think about more.
I've been to the Fred Gibbs Car Show in La Harpe, Illinois. Awesome show!
What a video. Thanks Bill.
Wow that really is the pinnacle of camaro
Did you knock that one dude into the tire wall? These videos always make my day, and this one was extra special. Nothing like the sound of a pissed off big block.
Absolutely Amazing!!
i think it even smells factory new ! Bill has different voice, very happy !
I really enjoy your humor and personality
Thank you for for telling us how miserable humidity is every time you walk outside and your hit with a wall of hell.
Chicago can have brutal humidity in the summer time also and I giggle when you bring up what paradise is like and the reality 😂
That car is sinister.....just the looks of it alone.......it silently tells people, "don't "F" with me!!!!! I love it Bill!!!!
Thanks Bill and Mike for sharing historic hotrod
In 1971 my brother went to, what was then Jerry's Govans Chevrolet (in Baltimore), to order an SS 454 El Camino. In the show room was a ZL-1 Camaro that looked exactly like this tribute. They sold it for $3600!! Years later It was found and restored.
Its just amazing how many holy grails are out there!
I hope the channel doesn’t change too much I like the way it was and I love whiskey therapy
It's just so awesome that you could drive off the dealership with a factory muscle car that sounded so awesome now I know the hellcat is faster but a hellcat never sounded as good as this gem of a Camero.
Keep em coming! Need my Bill brand sarcasm fix.
That sound is heaven.
This is a great vedio Bill 😙😚☺.
WOW!!! What a beast ! 🤜💀
That sound is heaven
Bill has a great collection of cars The Chevy needs a 🇺🇸 sticker on its rear window. Excited to see how the new channel turns out!!!
Auto Europa Naples oops, you still rock Uncle Bill!
This looks just like one that drove into the Year One parking lot back in the 90's when I worked there. ALL ALUMINUM 427 BIG BLOCK !!!!! what a beast..
Restored to the level of obsession no doubt ! Think i like the Kenny Bell Lincoln more
😉.
19:17 Accelerating from 1st to 3rd gears, sounds like full throttle.
My favourite car in that room tbh. Phil from the UK
Well you are one lucky guy to experience a piece of history .
A friend of mine has this car and it's in this shape. Jay Leno made him an offer and he turned it down. I saw one online at an auction and it sold for $330,000.00
This was awesome Bill. Would have liked you to drive, get a rig for that please. Just a couple of whiskeys for the cost. Look forward to ANY new content from you. SIGH!
Would be proud to own this one! Would drive it a lot! Have a blast with it! Would love to see a video of it going down the track!
I absolutely love those cars I would love to have a 427 ZL1 motor and transmission
Awesome car. Love it.
My older brother had a brand new ‘68 Z28. Impressive!
Those Satisfactions Are Permanent
Feeling a bit divided..
The new cars seem amazing, and I am very curious to watch you talk about the sl and the pantera..
well, all of them.
But I will miss the older benz and americana from AEN. Some did seem nice, well kept and quite affordable.
( I watched the w126 300 SWB video numerous times, if I remember you also like those )
I guess that from your perspective must be a bit boring to repeat the same "normal" cars several times.
Either way.. thank you for the videos and laughs
Agreed. Seeing Bill review terrible cars and ranting is just as much fun as the really good cars.
Beautiful love it 😍
An awesome video. I like the direction the channel might go? I hope you still do the reviews occasionally from the dealership though. I will miss the reports on the birds etc otherwise. By the way, not sure if I'd be doing pulls on Davis Blvd. like that but I'm a coward for the law :0
Looking forward to more Bill.
Killer vid, nice.
I tune in for Bill's comments no matter the car, but this time the car is actually more impressive than his comments!
LOL not possible
I get the period correctness, but oh my God no air In FL? The car is A Freakin Amazin!
Awesome example of pure Ameican Muscle car. Beautiful to see and hear.
Good Gawd! What a fantastic Job, I want one!
I love the sound of flat plane V8s but big block V8s with true duals are the best
Thumbs up for saying 11s with slicks and 13s with polyglass. So many shows imply these things could run 11s or 12s on stock tires. I had a neighbor when I was a kid that had a 69 z28 and it was breathed on heavily with a four speed. Ran 12.8 on slicks. Stock rear end is too light and there is little traction, almost none with stock tires. I'd be surprised if it could even run 13s on stock tires. My neighbor could burn 2nd gear as long as he wanted to.
Bill is reading these so here is a comment. Now this is getting real interesting - Bill on great cars! Sure your Silverado made me search for one with the same motor. I even priced out the Marine 12 guage you have clipped to the back seat because I want one. Your Caddys and Buicks and Jeeps I watched because you did them. It was you not the car that got me and everyone getting up everyday to see if Bill did another review that we could enjoy tonight with a libation and a smile when you hit the gas, the nose came up and your chuckle came from the heart because you love this stuff and it shows. You seem to know everything - history, specs, people, materials almost like the engineers that built these things. Shit my wife is taking notice - gotta go!
👍STUNNING💪
I still have my low mileage 1968 RS SS Big Block Camaro that's original except for the 468 solid lift roller motor with the Chevy ZL1 heads and intake. It has the original M22 rock crusher, 12 bolt 3.73 posi rear end, front disc brakes, and deluxe houndstooth interior. I wouldn't trade it for a new Corvette. 🥃😎👌
69 made it out of the factory 300 were crushed and destroyed torches were used to blow holes in the motor block so they could not be retrieved from the body after it was crushed general motors considered his car an insurance liability cuz it did not have a bulletproof bell housing that would restrict the clutch assembly from taking the door hinges off the side of the car my father worked the final line when this all went down at general motors I had a COPO Camaro as a high school graduation present but I was only lucky enough to have a cast iron model drag raced it religiously for four and a half years never wrecked it never killed nobody did the grace of God I enjoyed the ultimate heartbeat of America and never regretted it thank you Lord
When and after that thing took off we actually got to hear you genuinely laugh and then I could hear you talking through your shit eating grin! Awesome!!
Next time don’t film with a 300sl gullwing in the background my eyes were fixed on that the entire time 😉
@@curiouscars9282 Please 🤨.
I think it's a good idea to keep the Daytona in as many shots as possible. The Gullwing is awesome, but a Daytona just stirs my soul like nothing but a Berlinetta BB or a 917. or a Mclaren F1 or a Carrera or a ... hell forget it - gearhead in dreamland. The Copo sounds like an overhead - how did he do that?
Lol...that gullwing is a nice ride.. but listen to that 69 good lord it sounds like a straight out race car for sure
Is that orange car a Lamborghini?
That was the last thing that interested me in this video.
While I love the 69 Camaro, the only other car in that shop less interesting than this is the Continental. My god, that 300SL is amazing. Bill you should definitely video that if the opportunity arises
The Lincoln is a icon in it's class 🤨.
That burble from the cam and 12.5:1 CR never gets old and is the epitome of what an American V8 is all about and why it has fans the world over from the Brits to the Japanese to the Scandinavians to name a few.
This is Barrett-Jackson worthy and if it doesn't pull $200K minimum on BaT then I would be extremely shocked.
NOT an original '69 COPO Camaro. Thus, not worth $200k.
Wowser Bill.
No red lining Bill !!!
Wow what a car can you review the gullwing and Pantera soon?
Awesome!
I have a question, didn’t the Mustangs have the 429s at the time or did they run 427s and 428s as well?
Im going to miss Marty's goofy ass trying 2 sneak in in the mornings
All the correct parts but wrong shifter ball, but so perfect.
Real Nice Car!
"America! F*$K YA!"
SICK!
Fantastic car. I have a 1969 Camaro Yenko clone. Nice but not to this level. Everyone asks is it real?
Magical
Apsolutey amazing car
Annnnnnd, goosebumps at 19:25 😍