Chevy's 2012 COPO Camaro. Image: © GM Corp.
In 1969, some enterprising Chevrolet dealers realized that the Camaro could be ordered with the 427 cubic-inch V-8 from the Corvette via a Central Office Production Order (COPO). These “COPO” Camaros soon became the stuff of legend, dominating in drag racing competition, both legal and illegal. Even the order code for the engine, ZL1, made its way into the history books (and onto the fenders of the now-fastest Camaro).
To take advantage of consumer interest in a purpose-built Camaro, Chevrolet will produce 69 COPO Camaros for 2012, starting at a base price of $89,000. The car’s are designed specifically for NHRA Stock Eliminator and Super Stock racing, and aren’t legal for street use. Instead, you get a Camaro stripped of all amenities and sound deadening, then fitted with two racing seats, a full chrome moly roll cage, a racing harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges.
Buyers can choose from three engine options, including a normally aspirated, 427 cubic inch (7.0-liter) V-8, a 327 cubic inch (5.3-liter) V-8 with a 2.9-liter blower or a 327 cubic inch (5.3-liter) V-8 with a 4.0-liter blower. There’s even a special collector’s package being offered, which gives you all three engines (with one installed in the car), serial-number-matched to the car.
All installed engines come mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission specifically designed for drag racing. Buyers can choose from five available colors, including Flat Black, Summit White, Victory Red, Silver Ice Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic. A COPO graphics package is also available, with striping in Metallic White, Semi-Gloss Black, Inferno Orange and Chevy Racing Blue.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
