Chevy Shines at U.S. Nationals 60th Anniversary

Text by Richard Brady

There are many reasons to go to the NHRA U.S. Nationals held each year on Labor Day weekend. Some go because they’ve gone for so long, why quit now? Some go to see certain cars compete and others enjoy all of the things to do besides the racing, including tech seminars, the collectibles show and all of the other “sideshows,” plus the opportunity to pick up a much-needed part or two for their car project or race vehicle.

Going to Indy this year was even more special because it was the 60th running of this famed event, with all sorts of extra functions scheduled, including the opportunity to interact with past Indy winners and drivers.

Being a lifelong Chevrolet guy, I was impressed by the number of COPO Camaros participating, the count stood at 28, give or take. That’s huge when you think about it, obviously there were other car manufacturers in attendance, but it seemed like Chevrolets and the newer Camaros were everywhere!

Being a lifelong Chevrolet guy, I was impressed by the number of COPO Camaros participating, the count stood at 28, give or take.

A little history of Chevrolet and how the acronym “COPO” (Central Office Production Order) entered our vocabulary is probably in order. In the mid to late ’60s when GM had a cubic inch size motor rule in place, the company’s policy declared that no Corvette or non-full-size cars could be sold with engines larger than 400 cubic inches. Another acronym in those years was “RPO” (Regular Production Order), which was what you were able to order when purchasing a new car at your local Chevy dealership. Those options were tame for the most part, which is where COPO came into play. It was the way to order more exotic equipment if you and the dealership knew about it. Some dealers took it upon themselves to order small and mid-size cars (Nova and Chevelle) with regular RPO-optioned engines, but once these cars were delivered to the dealership they took out those engines and slapped in the larger performance versions we remember so fondly.

Several big dealerships were involved, and in the process became famous for their endeavors. They included Nickey (with the backwards “k”), Yenko, Baldwin Motion, and Berger Chevrolet; each did a masterful job offering to the performance-minded what couldn’t be ordered directly in an RPO car. In addition to the big names, as many as 19 dealers in the U.S. created COPO vehicles. There have been many stories regarding who gets the credit for the discovery of COPO-ordered cars, but I’ll stick with one for the sake of this story.

Not only was this concept warmly embraced by the public during that show, but it was made very clear, if Chevy should build the COPO Camaro, many were ready to buy.

Yenko Chevrolet, under the leadership of Don Yenko, is truly an interesting tale. In 1967, Don Yenko ordered L-78 engine-equipped SS Camaros for his dealership, and then installed the L-72 427 ci or 7.0L V-8 engines into several, and since the SS Camaros came with a 4:10 rearend and heavy-duty suspension from the factory, adding the larger engines was natural. He also added a special replacement hood, enhancing the already popular looks of the Camaro. The transmissions were either the M21 or M22 four speeds, with the horsepower output rated at 450. It’s been said that these Yenko Camaros weren’t allowed to compete for Chevrolet at the drag strips around the country because they weren’t “factory built.”

Yenko, encouraged by the success of his dealership-built “hi-po” Camaros, continued to construct them in 1968, adding special “Yenko” badges, ungraded suspension and a 140-mph speedometer. They also came with the M-21 close ratio four-speed trans and a special hood. By 1969, the Yenko dealership was working with Chevrolet to have the L-72 engines installed on the factory assembly line using a COPO designation number.

For those attending the 2011 SEMA Show who stopped by the Chevrolet display, you must have been as surprised as I was when I saw 30 to 40 guys surrounding an all-white Gen 5 Camaro sitting on a slanted display with the hood up and the doors open featuring several COPO markings. Little did I know, this car was the concept Camaro in the new COPO trim.

These cars aren’t licensed for street use, so you have to sign legal documents stating you understand these are race cars and not street legal.

Not only was this concept warmly embraced by the public during that show, but it was made very clear, if Chevy should build the COPO Camaro, many were ready to buy. One year later a prospective buyer could walk into any dealership and order the COPO; actually they were put on a waiting list to be contacted by the outside company building these cars for Chevrolet. These cars aren’t licensed for street use, so you have to sign legal documents stating you understand these are race cars and not street legal.

Back to this year’s 60th running of the NHRA U.S. Nationals where these COPO- style Camaros competed in various forms or classes featuring several different engine options. Another plus for Chevrolet: for the first time, it was title sponsor for this monumental event, and the final in Stock Eliminator came down to two Camaros. One has to wonder if the old adage, “race on Sunday and sell on Monday” might make it worth Chevy’s investment in the COPO Camaros to attract today’s young car buyer.

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A Brief Look at Four COPO Contenders

Pro Stock heavyweight Victor Cagnazzi felt like getting back behind the wheel a year or so ago. Recently, at the NHRA Vegas-2 event, Victor with his BB/S Camaro was the number one qualifier with a great showing, 8.95 at 150.33 mph. He went three rounds before losing. With the good air at the Strip in Vegas, Victor ran solid 8.90s. In round 3 he dialed an 8.96 and ran 8.956, breaking out for the loss. A little less than two weeks later, Victor attended the NHRA Finals, and once again, he qualified #1 at 9.20 at 126.87 mph.

Another very strong runner, Todd Patterson’s string of quality race cars throughout the years is second to none. For quite a while, Patterson-proven power plants and cars have drawn racers to their Kansas facility. Running in BB/SA with their ’14 427 COPO, the team has switched sponsors since Indy, debuting the new backer at Vegas-2. The Vegas race saw them go five rounds only to lose a close one in that round, but the car certainly was dialed right each time. In round 1, Patterson dialed 9.36 and ran a 9.414. Round 2 he dialed 9.35 and ran a fine 9.388 to win, and in round 3, he dialed a 9.36 and ran 9.467. Round 4 was 9.33, and the Camaro ran a slower 9.527 for that win. In the 5th round, Patterson lost: 9.33 dial, 9.9.456 run. The car is definitely consistent, making Patterson one to watch at events throughout 2015.

The next Camaro has plenty of NHRA Division 3 history behind it: Jeff Meyers driving the Lingenfelter-prepped FS/B COPO. Meyers works at the Lingenfelter shop, where they decided to get one of the new COPO Camaros and campaign it as a John Lingenfelter tribute car. The shop, housed in Decatur, Indiana, is a Mecca for those who want to add some snap to their everyday GM drivers or who crave full race performance.

John Lingenfelter was the founder of Lingenfelter Performance. He won 13 NHRA Comp Eliminator national events, and he was also the first driver to break the six-second barrier in the Competition Eliminator. Due to injuries sustained during a crash in 2002, he died on Dec. 25, 2003. Lingenfelter Performance continues to carry on the quality engineering tradition Lingenfelter started, and Meyers and his dad campaign the Lingenfelter tribute car with the same drive the founder possessed.

The Autogeek.net COPO Camaro owned and driven by Bruno Massel Jr. is another one to keep your eye on, not only because of the car, but also for the driver’s abilities. Massel Jr. comes to drag racing the old fashioned way, via his famous dad Massel Sr. who was a winner himself back in the day. Massel Jr. has had an illustrious career, including two NHRA Comp Eliminator championships, three Jegs All-Stars victories and five NHRA Division 5 championships. At Indy 60, he waded through seven rounds of competition to win Stock Eliminator for Chevrolet. When not racing, he’s a cohost on the Velocity Channel’s Garage Squad.

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