A "not supposed to but..." COPO Camaro SS

Forbidden to install an engine bigger than a 6.6L by GM, but requests from dealers (notably Don Yenko) caused Chevrolet to use a special order process to offer 7.0L, 427cu engines in the '69 Camaro.

Model: Chevrolet Camaro SS 427

Year: 1969

Where: Ace Cafe, Orlando

When: 01/01/2019

And that is one of the reasons why I think Chevrolet is so cool. Bending the rules to offer more #powerful and crazy cars.

There were two Central Office Production Orders "COPO" Camaros offered in 1969. One using the L72 "big block" engine which made an underrated 425 horsepower, Don Yenko ordered 201 of these cars to make the now legendary "Yenko" Camaro. There were 900-1000 Camaro were fitted with the L72 engine.

The second COPO Camaro was fitted with an all aluminium 427 cu in 7.0L engine, called the ZL-1, that was specifically designed for drag racing. There were only 69 of the ZL-1 Camaros produced! At an "as installed" state, the ZL-1 made 376hp. After some exhaust changes and tuning, the engine could produce over 500 horsepower!