How about a 1967 Corvette? How about a convertible with under 39,000 miles? How about an unrestored survivor, in almost pristine condition? Now, how about a car ordered special from the factory – a COPO (Central Office Production Order) car that pairs silver pearl paint with red vinyl interior. This color combination would make any such vehicle one of five such 1967 Corvettes ever to exist. If this is enough to pique your interest, this car, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is up for auction here on eBay. Surprisingly, there are no bids at the time of writing, with three days left to go. If you can’t bear to take the risk of this one slipping away, the Buy It Now is set for $76,000. Many thanks to Adam Clarke for the tip!
In general, there seems to be some controversy as to what constitutes a COPO vehicle: technically, a unique color combination did not require a COPO form, which would have been sent to the engineers to get their seal of approval. But when the folks at Bloomington Gold weigh in on the matter, along with the National Corvette Restorers Society, I’m inclined to take their word for it. This particular vehicle, is, in a word, stunning, showing the bare minimum of wear that one could expect on a 54-year-old assemblage of fiberglass, plastic, rubber, and steel. The interior looks to be almost new, and the underside of the car only shows surface rust in the usual places.
All this makes the engine more of a surprise: this has grease. It has been driven, and hard enough for the heat to peel back the decals that proudly proclaim this to be a 327 Turbo Fire V8. The Powerglide transmission indicates that this version of the power plant falls short of its high-compression potential, making only 300 horses, but still producing 360 ft. lbs. of torque at 3400 RPM; which is more than enough to induce an involuntary ear-to-ear grin.
The combination of the silver paint with the red interior is striking, which makes you wonder why Chevy didn’t offer it standard. The car would be rare even if it wasn’t a survivor so close to perfect that the earlier-mentioned NCRS recommends that it be left exactly as it is. Ultimately, this sort of car often finds its way to a climate-controlled facility, taken out to ride a trailer to the next show– if it’s taken out at all. It’s understandable when every click of the rightmost dial of the odometer puts not only an investment but a piece of Corvette history, at risk. Still, it seems a shame to lock up a beautiful machine like this, a creature that only wants leaded fuel in its veins and blacktop under its wheels. Here’s hoping the new owner does the right thing.
Great color combo! As many of you know what I’ll say next… Too bad about the slushbox lol
Nice try on trying to make a car with a really nice color combination a COPO! Maybe since it’s a Corvette you could pull that off but in 66 when Chevrolet stopped the Corvair Corsa dealers and buyers still wanted the 4 carb 140 engine so they initially used a COPO to order the engine until corporate decided to make it a regular or RPO option code. I don’t see any COPO 67 Monza’s out there.
Would the car gods orchestrate a fiery crash if I put a 4 speed in this?
This poor car has been for sale for at least 3-4 years! I can’t say for sure about it being a COPO. Only thing that is not typical factory production is the red interior. Otherwise, it is a fairly boring ‘67, with the base engine and 2-speed power glide trans. Some sellers don’t mind continuing to market a car for years. But after this long, I think it’s been established that the car’s market value is less than their asking price.
I’m surprised they are classifying this as a COPO. Both the silver exterior color and red interior color were available as factory options in 1967 model year. The only thing unique is GM didn’t recommend the silver/red combo that year.
Not sure with Corvettes, but I know for first Gen Camaros, GM had recommended color options but you could order any combo you wanted.
Furthermore, the COPO process was meant for Fleet vehicles in bulk ordering. It came with an assigned COPO #. So unless a dealer or someone asked for Fleet of sliver/red ‘67 Corvettes, I doubt this is truly a COPO rather just an override request to combine a red interior with silver exterior. Similar to – – paint codes – special dealer request but not a COPO.
Bob Wingate, who is in the Corvette Hall of Fame for being the top Corvette salesman in the nation in ’65, 66 and ’67, IIRC, and sold my ’67 new (and remembered it when we talked!!!) once explained the fleet ordering, short of requiring a COPO, to me. He said their fleet dept at Clippinger had such volume that they could get colors and combinations that GM wouldn’t build otherwise. He said he would just walk down the hall and politely ask them to place the order .. ..Apparently he had been ordering strange powertrain, color and interior choices from the mid-50s on . . . .
COPO? Not going to weigh in on that. However I love 67 Vettes. Probably unpopular opinion but give me a small block over a big block any day in a sports car. Drag car now that is different.
Why does barn finds continue to publish this car? Did Rick Hendrick pay you? He owns it and it is hardly a barn find. He took it to Mecum. No sale. It lives in a climate controlled museum. Better conditions than most poor people have. Automatic kills it for me despite 67 bring my favorite Corvette.
Agree. Two speed auto is an ender.
IF it is a COPO, it has a COPO number. What is that number? If it has no COPO number, it is NOT a COPO. End of debate.