In the late 1960s, if you wanted a hotter car than Chevrolet advertised, you went to a dealer with COPO connections. Central Office Production Order was the only way you could get a 425 horsepower, 427 cubic inch V8 installed in a 1969 Chevelle (no Malibu or Super Sport badging). This Garnet Red beauty is said to be one of just 323 built and may only have 22,000 original miles. That’s part of why the asking price is a hefty $109,900 here on craigslist for a rare and sought-after vehicle in Salina, Kansas. Any takers here? Thanks to tipster T.K., we get to feast our eyes upon this former racer.
We’re told this Chevelle was built on a specific day in June 1969 at Chevy’s plant in Baltimore, Maryland (we understand that’s where all the COPOs were assembled). The selling dealer was Bob McDorman Chevy in Canal Winchester, Ohio, known for dealing in high-performance Chevrolet products. Many of these cars found their way to the racetrack and the seller believes this Chevelle was no exception. That’s supported by the fact that the engine block was replaced under warranty and the TH-400 automatic transmission is not original to the Chevy. Neither is the posi-traction rear end.
Other than these items and one older repaint, the seller says this is an original, low-mileage car. Even the bucket seat interior is factory and looks like it’s in a stellar condition. Though Malibu trim and identification are missing –which we understand was typical of COPO cars – this Chevy does have power steering and brakes and period-correct headers for the beastly engine. There is also no factory radio, another sign of a specially ordered Chevelle. For a car that was built for speed, you might think ordering a black vinyl top was unnecessary.
One way to cushion the financial blow of buying this rare Chevy is that the seller is throwing in free delivery in an enclosed trailer, which would not otherwise be cheap if you live on either coast of the U.S. Trades up or down are also on the table and the seller has provided a couple of walkaround videos (Video 1, Video 2). If most of the 300 or so of these cars were built and raced, how many could have survived after 56 years, especially in the condition this COPO is in?
Stunning for sure but seems like a LOT of scrilla for it with the original entire drivetrain missing.
Very nice car. While there is a lot of ‘ Evidence’ This car COULD be a COPO 427 w/22k miles, Not one shred Of paperwork or any original drive train to confirm it. Would you go $110k without proof(?)…………
It’s a cool car, but what documentation does it have? Is there an original protect-o-plate? Is it listed in the COPO registry? The CE engine is meaningless unless there is a period receipt or work order from a dealer or GM, CE blocks can be found. I have a friend that restores Camaros and owns has half a dozen early Z28’s and SS Camaros, he has several CE engines in case he comes across a car missing it’s original drivetrain. Original high horsepower Tach and gauge clusters aren’t hard to find, nor are radio delete plates. The first word in sellers ad is an out, “Believed to be” basically means “good luck”, once you spend your money, you own it, there is no recourse because he’s not guaranteeing anything. This isn’t saying the seller is dishonest, it’s that the emphasis is on potential buyers do do their research and go into the purchase with their eyes open. This is a 6 figure car, optimistic interpretations don’t matter much on a $5,000 car, but they do on something like this.
Steve R
How much is it worth as it sits as a possible clone or tribute?
That’s for potential buyers to decide.
Steve R
If you had to guess, what would that figure be?
I agree with you Steve about “Believed to be”. When I see it I translate it to mean “I want to get top dollar for this car, but either don’t have the time or expertise to insure what I say (or the owner told me!) is correct.” It’d take a rare car indeed to get me past the “Believed to be” phrase!
Nice car, but a lot of buts…
Plus I read the Craigslist ad a couple of times, nowhere is it stated that free enclosed delivery is included.
It says free shipping just before the actual body of the description of the car
The ad states “free enclosed shipping”. I’ve read and re-read the Craigslist ad as well as all the comments on BF, and I agree with a lot of what has been said, but I also disagree with some of what has been said. My first feel for this thing is that the seller appears to be a dealer, and they are using a bunch of dealers “double speak”, ie: “believed to be” and “I believe” which can translate into “I never said that the information was 100% accurate”. Also speaking from a completely 100% accurate place. it is not “all original” and that is a big minus for true collectors. If everything that has been presented about the car and the stated mileage is correct, I would want to see the original Protect-O-Plate, the original order sheet, the original broadcast sheet, as well as the receipt or work order for the counter exchange motor, the gearbox, and the rearend. Anyone that originally bought a car with the intention of not putting many miles on it would keep all that documentation, (and if the mileage stated is correct, the original buyer never intended to put many miles on it) I think that it is a very cool car that appears to be in impeccable shape considering its age, but without verified documentation, it is about a $50,000 car, in my humble opinion.
and further, aside from engine, trans and rear-end, its a re-paint. At 22k ‘original’ a repaint.
So, are there before pics ?
Are the quarters, doors, etc original ?
Could have significant body work.
If it is a dealer sale, then what, no conversatíon with owner, so even less info on history.
For 50k the car still needs a good inspection before purchase.
If it is a real COPO with a real 427, and a solid original body.. ya WOW.
If it only had power windows, then just may be the ‘holy grail’
To much money for no paperwork and a replacement drive train. I thinking more like $55,000.00
Car that nice and supposed to be the real thing should not be sold on Craigslist .
Best comment. The car is not even worth half the asking price with all the questions surrounding it, either. The buyer should take $40k and smile all the way to the bank.
Why do I have the feeling this car was just a restoration project that was fitted with the biggest motor they could find? It looks really nice and no doubt makes enough power to light up a small town, but a real COPO? The options on the car don’t back it up. I’ll give it an “A” for looks however.
Brings back a memory of my 10 year old self riding with an uncle in his borrowed-from-his-brother 69 Chevelle SS 396 on a sticky summer Ohio night somewhere near Wooster on a divided 4 lane. Blue with white vinyl top and white seats that seemed to float on the black carpet. And, possibly, the coolest D shaped automatic shift handle to sprout from a center console. A passing red 69 Impala SS slows to match us. Nods & grins exchanged before speeds rise to 110 before easing off. Everybody wins.
Craigslist?…….need I say more?
In the past sellers with this type of car advertise on high profile websites, or send it to auction, not hidden away on Craigslist. Think monkey think.
Seems like its all original minus the biggest things that matter to be original. Rust free with the original interior, which is basically what it is, isn’t that rare. And like others have said, without docs or numbers to prove it, the price is gonna be what other non numbers matching 69 chevelles will be. Unfortunate since it is or could be a really cool car to own.
Replacement engine, replacement transmission, replacement rear end, and a repaint, but it’s still original? What?? Do people not know what “original” means?
Send Patrick Glenn Nichols (the Chevelle Guru) over there and authenticate this….
This is certainly one of the cases where authentication might double the value of a car. I can’t imagine asking 6 figures or expecting to receive without it. Even then I would think it would need to go to a high end auction. But what a beautiful ride. They never looked like this BITD.
It would be kinda hard to authenticate if there are no COPO parts on it. If it could be authenticated, it would have already been done. Right? I would like to look at it, just out of curiosity. It could be real, but probably not enough evidence to prove it. Saying it is and proving it, can be two different things
YES! Would Be Interesting To Watch PGN Inspect The Many Points Necessary To Possibly Authenticate This Chevelle.
I’m with everyone that has asked the question “why on Craigslist?” Not enough documentation to state “Holy Grail?” Without that, it lowers the asking price considerably. (I’ve been wrong many times) GLWYA. Nice car ’69’s are my favorites.
The car is being sold across all venues for mass circulation, regarding the sale. Not unusual, for a seller to reach ultimate saturation of the market place. Gear heads visit all sites, when it comes to muscle cars, smart move by the seller.
You are absolutely right. Craigslist is easy to search nationwide, interesting cars are shared to various enthusiast forums. Does anyone think this car was only featured here? The only thing that matters is getting the greatest number of eyes on an ad. No matter which platform a seller chooses the vast majority of views are not from potential buyers. The funny thing is, when a car like this is featured here it’s predictable there will be numerous “why would anyone list a car like this on CL”, they are missing the point, it being featured here and elsewhere is confirmation that CL isn’t a bad choice.
Steve R
Do my eyes deceive me, or does the dash have A/C vents but no evidence of compressor or suitcase?
That’s “Astro-ventilation”. Nothing more than fresh air.
Paperwork? Who needs paperwork, it says COPO right on the license plate!
“We’re told this Chevelle was built on a specific day in June” What ever month it is, all mass produced cars are built on a specific day. I’m more impressed with cars that require more than a day to produce.
Those are not ac vents ! It’s Astro ventilation they all had it ! Ac vents would have bin above heater controls !
Ventilation designed by the Jetsons dog.
The 66 I had had two eyeball vents on the corners and a rectangular vent in the middle. Pics didn’t give enough detail to see the center of the instrument panel or the HVAC controls.
The firewall is for a non-AC car, the lower vents are stock for all 69 Chevelle’s, there is no need to see the dash above the heater controls.
Steve R
Greatly over priced. Call Patrick Glenn Nichols. And why such a high caliber car on CL? Strange.
Radio wasn’t “deleted”..it wasn’t ordered! Interior is NOT completely original, as is obvious in pics. Rear could be, but stitching design & pattern on front seats attest to the obvious deviation..
Remember P. T. Barnum.
Pretty much everything has been said, but my very favorite line in the description “- Bits of rubber are still present stuck to the inner lower quarters” That definitely seals the deal for me!
Low mileage, ex drag car…..
Has someone who has done my share of drag car ownership I will tell you it is not a gentle life on the car, particularly anything from this era.
Let’s see…… the ENTIRE original drivetrain is MIA(!) there is usually a story (a very violent one) behind the disappearance……….
seller needs to look up the meaning of original. with all the drive train components not being as born with and repainted the car is not original. it maybe original looking and 110k. as another commentor said 50-55k would be fair. i did not see any doc either.
I think this is the prettiest color/wheel/top combination I’ve ever seen on a ’69.
Perhaps the seller meant everything was original to the car when he bought it?
Either this person is not a car guy or he’s a scam artist. I wouldn’t drive to Kansas to find out.
Maybe there is a reason it’s C/L!
Craig’s List has some financial advantages over other sites that charge various fees, tax implications, etc.
i was gonna address the CL comment too
Craigslist is one of the best marketplaces in my opinion.
Craig, the founder is a good man; at least from how he handled Craigslist.
Used to be free, now just $5.
No frills, no corperate BS, no smearing of advertisements, just simple, private, direct sales.
You can find some amazing things on it, like potential COPO ’69 427s
Prefer Market Place…more volume, no fees
Every day I look forward to seeing barnfinds in my email. I love reading all the comments. It really entertains me and expands on my amateur knowledge of cars. This one is no exception. Thanks to everyone who took time to post a comment.
“All original” except for the entire drive train. I mean, what do you expect for a 110K?
i like the 69 chevelle . i have a craigslist 73 TA just like this chevelle. this reminds me of a dual quad 1976 TA with a craigslist drivetrain. id take the 76 or the 69 or even my 73 . why do the nice ones have to be 2500 miles away from the east coast…
I remember the story about the guy that has George Washington’s axe – the head has been replaced twice and the handle three times, but it’s Washington’s original axe, by golly!
All original except one repaint . non original motor, different transmission and differentials been changed. Plus the tires belts hoses. more like 60,000$
What a joke- all original unrestored except the entire drivetrain has been replaced. And it’s no COPO. This guy is a scammer!
This was my car from 1997 until 2001 when I was forced to sell it due to a lot of unfortunate events I bought it from holt auto sales in Lansing Michigan. Me and my son raced it at Martin dragway in Michigan ran 12:17 et sold it to volo museum. And not sure where it is now but when I bought it I paid 14.5 k for it then not having any documents for it once I learned what I had I went to work great to see it again
So what is the story then? How do we know its a real COPO? Is the mileage claim real? Please tell us what you know being a previous owner.
Please tell us how you learned what you had. There is NOTHING from the ad or from the seller to show it is a COPO. IF the quarter panels and tail panel are original and no Malibu or SS emblem holes present, that would be odd, but sure not enough to prove COPO. Underhood 427 sticker is neat but could not even be the original core support. May be but how do you prove it? Also no picture of cowl tag. Wonder why that is.
Chuck Finney,
Do you have any information or past documentation on this car?
I would really like to know more of the history on this car.
Thank you sir
Don
It’s a nice pretty parts car. Nothing orginal. It looks nice and was probably expensive to build. Probably trying to get his money back anyway possibly. I earlier was thinking $55,000.00, but now feel $25-$35 thousand.
A “pretty nice parts car”??????? Even if this thing is 100% a clone, it is anything but a “parts car”. Even If it is a fake COPO, it is a really nice ’69 big block Chevelle. 50K would be about right just the way it sits without any proof of it being a true COPO. As far as verifying its authenticity if there is no documentation, it would take a little detective work, but it would not be impossible. That being said, I would be pretty darn hesitant to pay 110K for it without documentation. Simply tell the seller, “If you want 110K, provide the documentation, otherwise it’s 50K”.
HD, vents in the dash are non a/c, they are vents, this is part of the GM Astro Ventilation System used. Note the lack of “air condition vent” in center dash above heat and vent controls and radio delete block off panel. Definitely not an a/c dash.
YES! Would Be Interesting To Watch PGN Inspect The Many Points Necessary To Possibly Authenticate This Chevelle.
Just because you find a bunch of the correct parts then paid over what they are really worth does not make a COPO car. Then pay a shop for the work to put on the parts does not make it a COPO car.
What does make it COPO IS the documentation. The reason the car exists is the documentation.
I can not get passed the removal of the drivetrain unless the answer is laying in a restorer somewhere when during the restoration payment for work was not, paid. OR the shop went out of biz and fight for ownership began. A divorce could be in the mix also.
This car is nothing but smoke and mirrors and should be avoided.
While it is entirely possible that this isn’t a true COPO, your reasoning that the warranty replacement motor is proof of that just doesn’t fly. These things were ordered for one reason, and that is to run them hard, so warranty replacement was pretty common.
Respectfully sir, the ENTIRE drivetrain is missing, along with anything else that might prove the provenance of this car. There is also nothing to remotely show that this car was run hard, thence all the missing parts. Some people bought cars like this and did not run them into the ground. This car is priced close to the same price as a documented car with at least the original transmission and rear end. Which would you buy if you had the choice?
454rat: Also respectively, I don’t believe that anyone that paid for a 425 horse big block did so to drive the kids to school. Also, if you read my earlier post, you would know that I said 50K without documentation, definitely a much higher price with. I had a friend had a ’70 L-S6 and if you jumped on it t really hard, you could break everything but the door handles, so complete warranty replacement wouldn’t surprise me. That being said, it wouldn’t be all that hard to hard to prove it is a true COPO so the seller should definitely do that.
Just shooting the breeze now. Many people probably did buy these cars to race only, but in the rural area I live in, they were bought as the primary driver car for most people. Our COPO was received as the primary and only car for the original owner, as a graduation gift. He changed the rear end from the original 4:10 to a 4:56. He wanted to have the fastest car in the county but this was also his only car. He was a senior in school and he drove 12 miles one way to school each day, his senior year. So actually, sometimes these cars WERE to drive the kids or kid to school. LOL He did run it hard, but it still has ALL of the original running gear. I bought my 70 LS5 in 1975 as my only car. I know it is not an LS6 but it is still not your average grocery getter. I drove it from Ky. to Texas for a year while in the Army. It was my daily driver and only car up until around 1982. I street raced a little but it was primarily my daily and only car. Black with white stripes and I NEVER jumped on ANYONE. They always jumped on me. My only car all those years. Still today, all original drivetrain. My uncle bought a 1964 Galaxy, 427 with 2 4’s in 64. He bought it as his ONLY car. We drove it to Ohio and everywhere else. When I bought my LS5, my buddy bought his LS6 at the same time. It was his only car at the time. He street raced some but it was primarily his family car. The owner before him would be so drunk that they had to help him get in the car at the strip. It was an automatic and it ran flat 12’s all day long. It was his only car. My point is that even though these cars were meant to go fast, ”where I live”, they were primarily family cars. Believe it or not. The cowl tag would be the only way to actually prove this 69 is real, and we do not see that. Easy PROOF. Hmmmmm. As this car stands, all a person could ever say is that: it SEEMS to be a real COPO, but I have no proof. As you say, if it is a real COPO, why does the seller not just show proof? It is a beautiful car, but I am not into clones or fake cars.
Would someone please go to the Craigslist ad and please read me the second row of numbers on the cowl tag. Mystery solved!!!!!!