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View Full Version : 69' Olympic Gold with 47 miles ....whereabouts?


TC
12-04-2008, 04:18 AM
I was wondering if any one knows what happened to the 69' olympic gold Berger COPO that I posted on SYC in the early 2000's?

It was a one owner drag car with 47 miles on the clock from Mid-Michigan,I believe it was bought by someone on the east coast.

I figured by now it would be restored and very well known in the muscle car community, but I have not ever seen anything about it since it was sold.

Anyone know of this car or what the status is on it now?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

Thanks,TC

camarojoe
12-04-2008, 04:44 AM
Isn't that one of the cars in Wayne Shmeckley's collection now? I seem to recall seeing it at the GM Nats in Carlisle a couple years ago.

TC
12-04-2008, 05:18 AM
Not sure.

I did a search for Wayne Shmeckley, and found nothing.

But... there can't be to many cars that fit this description.


TC

Mr70
12-04-2008, 05:23 AM
Do you mean Wayne Schmeeckle from Colorado?
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/318255/page/0/fpart/3/vc/1

TC
12-04-2008, 05:58 AM
This car looks close, but I don't think it would have came with a rally stripe... not to say that the new owner couldn't have put it on there, but I don't think it would have came with one.... I could be wrong though!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/Postsedan/Postsedan2008/Waynesgarage1.jpg




http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
TC

camarojoe
12-04-2008, 06:23 AM
Pretty sure Berger was noted for adding the hockey stripes to some cars at the dealership to jazz up the otherwise plain jane COPO cars.

camaromb
12-04-2008, 06:36 AM
That was the car Ben Wenzel owned. He raced it awhile with the odometer disconnected he told me. He thought it had about 500 miles, crazy paint job, M22 was the only option, non-9737 Berger Copo. Somehow it was restored and painted red and for sale at a Fla. dealer some years ago.
The car was ordered by Ahrens/Booth for racing but took so long to arrive they built a 396 car instead. When Ben called Berger in July '69 he said they had over 20 Copos on the lot, he wanted the cheapest one, the gold car.
It may be the one at Wayne's collection in Colo., I'm not sure.
Mark

TC
12-04-2008, 07:28 AM
BINGO!!! thats the car I'm talking about!

It was painted Red....WTF!

This was prolly thee best preserved COPO in the world!..Yeah Ok it had less than a 1000 miles and not actually 47 miles, But I thought it went to some one that would Do the car right!

Yeah...Wally Booth did the motor after they blew up the originaly, I think ...Or maybe they didn't even blow it up but traded it in to Wally for a new one right off the get go.

#'s didn't mean much back then...they were tring to dominate class.

I'm pissed!!!



TC

wesyenko
12-04-2008, 04:28 PM
Yes, The 69 Berger Olympic Gold COPO Camaro is alive and well in Fort Morgan Colorado. The orginal Berger paperwork is nice as the day it was printed.(not a copy of a copy like some) I will try to post pics of it and a neat letter from Ben W. later Thanks Wayne

TC
12-04-2008, 11:16 PM
SWEET!

Thanks,Wayne.

I can't wait to see some pics,I've wondered where the car was and what it looks like now for several years.


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
Thanks,TC

wheelhop
12-06-2008, 06:02 PM
Couldn't have gone to a better home!

TC
12-08-2008, 04:40 AM
Pics? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

TC

ANDY M
12-08-2008, 07:32 PM
There are pictures of this car from when Wayne brought it to SCR 9. I had the pleasure of having dinner at the banquet with him and his wife. I'd be hard pressed to find nicer folks.

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:01 PM
Sorry for the delay, original Berger paperwork and original owners letter attached.

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:12 PM
Pictures of gold Copo, (painted red when purchased)

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:16 PM
pics

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:19 PM
pics 3

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:21 PM
Gold Berger Copo during restoration.

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:22 PM
Gold Berger Copo completed.

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:34 PM
2

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:35 PM
3

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:36 PM
4

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:41 PM
completed pic 2

wesyenko
12-08-2008, 09:42 PM
completed pic 3

Chevy454
12-08-2008, 10:25 PM
GOOD GRACIOUS that car is sexy... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

TC
12-08-2008, 10:46 PM
WOW!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

That really looks AWESOME,I'm very glad see it's in good hands.

Whats the story on it being painted red,that was done by the previous owner?

Looks Great Wayne, thanks for the reply and pics.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

TC
ps...Wayne,I have a few pics of the car before it left Bens,if would like I can send them to you.

Xplantdad
12-08-2008, 11:43 PM
[ QUOTE ]
GOOD GRACIOUS that car is sexy... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

How about a Supercar feature on this bad boy? That would be two Bergers in a row!

TC
12-09-2008, 01:32 AM
You've got my vote. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

TC

firstgenaddict
12-18-2008, 06:56 AM
I remember it being offered a few times when it was red... IMHO Not painting a COPO the original color is a bone headed move...

m22mike
12-19-2008, 05:03 PM
Wayne
Very nice http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif

Mike http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

ANDY M
12-19-2008, 10:22 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I remember it being offered a few times when it was red... IMHO Not painting a COPO the original color is a bone headed move...

[/ QUOTE ]

True enough. I would love to see my car painted back to LeMans Blue. Right now, black is in, so it'll stay black till the paint falls off. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif BTW, it was painted black back in the '80s, so maybe whoever painted it didn't know it was a COPO. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

firstgenaddict
12-21-2008, 04:12 PM
Andy the story of yours is quite different... it was an Artist... nuff said!

mc25t190
12-28-2008, 01:28 AM
I absolutely Love the Gold on the Camaro. It's a shame that it wasn't popular back then, but then again, i think it makes it more popular and desirable today. Who restored the car. It looks great!

wesyenko
12-28-2008, 08:19 AM
Hello Kevin, The Olympic Gold Berger Copo was restored by Aloha back when Tommy was still in business. The interior was so nice, we didn't have to do anything to it. Once we started taking it apart, we could see what the original Olympic Gold really looked like so we were able to match it. Thanks Wayne

firstgenaddict
12-29-2008, 05:49 AM
I love O-Gold 69's...

Jerry@CHP
01-04-2009, 10:10 PM
Here are some photos of Ben Wenzel's COPO (Wayne's car now) at the Indy US Nationals in Sept 1969. Ben told me this was the cheapest copo on the lot when he bought it in June 1969. This car did not have spoilers, or the Berger stripe.

There were 23 copos on the lot when Ben bought his. Window stickers had Dick Arons Race Cars on them......

You'll love these photos,

Jerry

Jerry@CHP
01-04-2009, 10:11 PM
Ben Wenzel Photo #2, Indy Sept 1969.

Jerry@CHP
01-04-2009, 10:13 PM
And last but not least, after the trick orange overlay paint in 1970 at Tri City, Super Stock/D.

Jerry

Xplantdad
01-04-2009, 11:37 PM
GREAT stuff Jerry!

TC
01-05-2009, 06:01 AM
[ QUOTE ]
GREAT stuff Jerry!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes,very COOL!

Thanks for sharing those pics Jerry. I believe the olds wagon was my uncles. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

TC

Stefano
01-05-2009, 11:43 PM
Those Vintage pics are awesome http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

DarrenX33
01-06-2009, 12:10 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Those Vintage pics are awesome http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You can say that again. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Jerry@CHP
01-06-2009, 01:42 AM
I have tons from my career and many other people that I raced with. I just sent a shoe box full of photos to Ken Tibor so he can scan and post here. I don't have the time, or I'd do it. More comin' at ya soon.

Jerry

mockingbird812
01-06-2009, 01:45 AM
Great shots Jerry. Thanks!!!

Xplantdad
01-06-2009, 02:11 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I have tons from my career and many other people that I raced with. I just sent a shoe box full of photos to Ken Tibor so he can scan and post here. I don't have the time, or I'd do it. More comin' at ya soon.

Jerry

[/ QUOTE ]

Ya can't go wrong with Ken...he rocks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

wesyenko
01-06-2009, 05:48 PM
Thanks Jerry for posting the race photos of the Berger COPO. I hope I can meet Ben W. someday and maybe see if he has any old photos I could get a copy of. Again Thanks Wayne

Jerry@CHP
01-06-2009, 06:58 PM
No problem Wayne, glad I could post these for you and everyone. Ben is one of the best in Stock Eliminator and an all round great guy.

Best place to catch him is at the drag strip. I just had dinner with Ben and David about a month ago while on a Camaro inspection trip in Saginaw, MI.

Jerry

Seattle Sam
01-06-2009, 09:02 PM
I bet if you go to the US Nationals in Indy you will find the Wenzels and their Z!

Jerry@CHP
01-07-2009, 12:10 AM
Like clock work, every year!

Jerry

TC
01-19-2009, 08:07 AM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif






































http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x204/tcl71/Olds%20Rearend/copo1.jpg



http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

TC

69z2x4
01-20-2009, 12:53 AM
I had a great visit with Ben's brother at the 07 US Nationals.Vary gracious people. I wish they had held on to the COPO car.

Jerry@CHP
01-20-2009, 05:28 AM
Ben's 67 Z28 turned out to be the much better race car for NHRA's Stock and Super Stock Eliminator. David and Ben campaigned the COPO for two seasons, It just was not as competitive as the Z28.

I knew Ben for about five years before he even told me about the car! As I recall, I think that Ed Hedrick along with Jenkins Competition horsepower had the only COPO that won an NHRA National event, Gator Nationals, I think, 1970.

Where is that car?

Jerry

firez
01-20-2009, 05:25 PM
Does anyone know if the Wenzel brothers ever raced their 67 Z28 in Ontario at Cayuga Dragway Park back in the late 60s? I was just a kid at the time but recall a black 67 Z that won the times I was there. I am sure I have some pics of the car somewhere in my box of photos. The car was crazy fast for such a small engine and I remember telling my father that I would have one some day. Well I ended up with a 68 Z which will have to do.

Jerry@CHP
01-20-2009, 10:36 PM
Yes, he raced there too. Ben and David's car is Tahoe Turquoise and was lettered like this from day one. They re-lettered the car as it was originally in 2004 and debuted it at Bristol at the national event here. We pitted together at this event and both of us won class for D/Stock and E/Stock.

Check out this photo. Cool shot! One NHRA 1968 World Championship Z28 and one NHRA 1967 Indy US Nationals Event winner parked next to one another.

Jerry

firez
01-20-2009, 10:55 PM
I will get too my parents place and try to dig through my old photos to see if I can find the pics I took . I am thinking it was around June 1969 that I witnessed their car run up here. I will let you know what I come up with.

69z2x4
01-21-2009, 06:23 AM
It does not get any better than that! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

69z28302
01-29-2009, 02:46 AM
I agree totally. Love those vintage photo's

Mike