1969 Copo Chevelle

[bdplvx]

Below in this forum is my previous post regarding the MQ block I have purchased to an original 1969 double COPO car. I have tracked the car from the second owner in 1981 through 5 owners later to the year 2000/2001. My search has gone cold so I am forced to make the tough decision not in the interest of self greed but because this car needs to be found and restored and for all to enjoy.

The car was last registered through Colorado DMV in 1994 and sold in Idaho in 1997. The car has never been registered in the state of Idaho. The car was last seen in Merdian/Boise Idaho in 2000/2001 and was faded forest green with one fender missing and was basically a rolling chassis with no interior. I have no other option but to post the vin and see if someone else find's the car. Yes, I know I will be forced to make a decision to either sell the motor or negotiate the purchase of the car with the person that finds it.

The vin is 136379B412654 and I will not post pictures of the vin stamped on the block until the car is found and the owner and I come to an agreement. The vin stamped on the block is clearly original with the deck broach marks and there are identifying characteristics of the stamping that would be very difficult to reproduce.

I know there are a lot of people in this hobby that own these rare cars as an item, something to have because they can. Then there are those people who are truly connected to these cars and live through the hobby. I am one of the latter. I love Chevrolet and the history of what was back in the day. Thanks and I hope we can find this rare piece of history!

[mockingbird812]

Good deal. when yr VIN is placed in Google, it shows up as being on Chevelle Tech. Good luck!

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good deal. when yr VIN is placed in Google, it shows up as being on Chevelle Tech. Good luck! </div></div>

I wish it would have been that easy. I posted the same thread on the Chevelles.com website much to my displeasure. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

[mockingbird812]

As long as the VIN pops up here or there, its good in case the owner does a VIN search on line. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Jay_chevelless]

Good luck with you search! I hope you get some info.

[bdplvx]

Out of 154 people that have viewed the thread how many do you suppose are trying to find a needle in a haystack right now? I hope someone finds this car soon so I can sleep at night!!!

[Jeff H]

I bet a lot of other viewers like myself are waiting to here a good outcome from your search. It would be great to see your engine reunited with the original car and I hope you can find the car at an affordable price.

[SuperNovaSS]

I hope you find the car. What do you mean by double COPO? Was there a double COPO Chevelle?

Jason

[Chevy454]

Yes, 9562 + 9737...(as with the camaros, all yenkos were ordered this way).

[Jay_chevelless]

I Would put a want ad on Craigslist and try posting something on this chevelle site, it's a great site. http://chevelleforum.org/index.php

And this chevelle forum too
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/

[bdplvx]

&quot;Chevy 454&quot; is correct and the car came with Ralley wheels of which I have two of the originals. It was a bench seat car as well with fawn/gold interior. It is not listed on the SYC list of Yenko cars but falls within 30 cars on the production line of two other 69 Yenko cars.

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jay Sullivan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I Would put a want ad on Craigslist and try posting something on this chevelle site, it's a great site. http://chevelleforum.org/index.php

And this chevelle forum too
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/ </div></div>

An add on craigslist has been running for several weeks now with a couple leads that have not progressed. I am also a member of chevelles.com and placed the same information on this site also in the copo section. I have not tried the chevelle forum site and will register this morning. Thanks

[Chevy454]

I somehow missed your other post, but...

I don't gamble, but I'd almost bet my paycheck this car was a COPO sold in Canada (those 2 late Yenkos are an anomoly), and was shipped either July 30 or July 31 (07E car)...a quick email (mailto:George.Zapora@cc.gm.ca) to George might be worthwhile. And I'm betting I could get pretty darn close to nailing most of your trim tag...

[COPO PETE]

Ya, I'd take that bet too. Vin falls right beween one sold at Central Chev, and one at Beare Motors.
Peter

[scuncio]

Didn't the poster mention he had the original selling docs for the car? Not sure what additional value the CAN docs would be. Cool story though!

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scuncio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Didn't the poster mention he had the original selling docs for the car? Not sure what additional value the CAN docs would be. Cool story though! </div></div>

I don't have the original selling docs, only picture of car in late 70's from 2nd owner. Otherwise, no other documentation other than block and any documentation George Z. may be able to provide if it was one of the 17 cars sent to Canada.

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I somehow missed your other post, but...

I don't gamble, but I'd almost bet my paycheck this car was a COPO sold in Canada (those 2 late Yenkos are an anomoly), and was shipped either July 30 or July 31 (07E car)...a quick email (mailto:George.Zapora@cc.gm.ca) to George might be worthwhile. And I'm betting I could get pretty darn close to nailing most of your trim tag... </div></div>

I did email George tonight to see if by chance it was one of the 17 cars sent to Canada. It would be great if it was so the car has some sort of documentation since the build sheets and original purchase docs are probably long gone.

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I somehow missed your other post, but...

I don't gamble, but I'd almost bet my paycheck this car was a COPO sold in Canada (those 2 late Yenkos are an anomoly), and was shipped either July 30 or July 31 (07E car)...a quick email (mailto:George.Zapora@cc.gm.ca) to George might be worthwhile. And I'm betting I could get pretty darn close to nailing most of your trim tag... </div></div>

Looks like you hit the nail on the head regarding the build date based on what a couple others have said as well....&quot;VIN B412654 is a 07E build week body, very late in the build year considering the last reported VIN is B414385 for the Baltimore Assembly plant&quot;.

...and yes please take a shot at the trim tag and we'll see how close you are if in fact George has documentation.

[Keith Tedford]

Our Beare Motors car was an 07E build, 13 after the one mentioned above. I've seen only one later COPO VIN.

[bdplvx]

Received a text message from a guy and he is 99.99% sure he has the car. It was the last car he and his father restored in 2007 before his dad passed and there is no way he is ever selling the car. The car is restored as a restomod with candy red paint tan suede interior and a 396. It is at a second home out of state and he is traveling there next month for the summer and will verify the vin and let me know. Since there is know way he would ever consider selling the car I told him the history of the car and what it is...obviously he had no clue. I told him the history behind our family owning the car and tracking it over the last several months. He asked me how I new so much about the car and I told him we have the original motor my dad pulled out of the car in my garage. There was a long silent pause and he asked me how much I wanted for the motor. I told him the motor and a few other parts was the last sentimental connection to the car I have and those items are not for sale. So now if he truly has the car what the heck do I do? That motor and car need to be together.

I hope he is wrong and it's not the right car. At least then I can keep searching for the needle in the haystack with the hope of finding it. So for now I keep searching and wait impatiently for the call next month.

Tomorrow I hope to hear from George Z. and verify if the car was from Canada. With documentation and complete motor fully restored from air cleaner to pan and fan to transmission it should be an interesting story........

[scuncio]

If there's really no opportunity to buy the car, I would consider selling him the engine for a fair price. Sounds like his emotional connection with the car is more important to him than reuniting it with the original engine, so your leverage is limited. Of course, your call!

[SS427]

If he leaves it as a restomod he may also have no interest in the engine though based on his pause it sounds like there might be some. Hope it turns out good for both parties.

[Chevy454]

Get him to take a picture/tracing of the trim tag...

[bdplvx]

Well, I got scammed. The guy was not legit and nothing he said was truthful. I really believe he was trying to get me to pay him upfront to tell me who he sold the car to...basically send him money. I spent 63 minutes on hold with CA DMV and 42 minutes with AZ DMV and the car has never been registered in either state as he suggested.

So to recap...I am smarter today than yesterday and trust but verify everything people tell you. The search continues.

[Postsedan]

Well, I would look at this as good luck and fortune....as the search continues. Bad karma to the person who tried to pull a fast one on you <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif

Dan

[bdplvx]

I spoke to George Z. today and filled out the paperwork. I will know tomorrow if the car is a Canada car.

Stay tuned.

[SuperNovaSS]

Wait, Can you please explain what happened? Last I understood, he owned the car and would never sell it since he and his father restored it. Now he had(apparantly) sold it to someone else? I think something was lost in translation here.


Jason

[bdplvx]

Received confirmation from George the car was not a Canadian car.

[bdplvx]

Does anyone have any trim tag data from any of the Malcom-Conner Chevrolet Copo's? I would really like to see the date in reference to my vin number since mine is so late out of the Baltimore plant.

http://www.yenko.net/features/2004/September2004.htm

[Chevy454]

Vic's car is quite a bit earlier vin # wise (404xxx), but the majority of the 07c-07e copos I have are in the same neighborhood in regards to body number...i would guess yours will be as well.

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdplvx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Received confirmation from George the car was not a Canadian car. </div></div>
Did he look on the early 1970 import sheets????? The car(COPO) before it vin # wise was told the same thing. He had the original protect-o-plate and bill of sale for London Ont.(Central). For some reason ,it was late being shipped and showed up on a early 70 import sheet.
Peter

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdplvx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Received confirmation from George the car was not a Canadian car. </div></div>
Did he look on the early 1970 import sheets????? The car(COPO) before it vin # wise was told the same thing. He had the original protect-o-plate and bill of sale for London Ont.(Central). For some reason ,it was late being shipped and showed up on a early 70 import sheet.
Peter </div></div>

Please see the response from George after I called him this morning and discussed your advice above....

I have just finished going through the last months of microfilm again and can re assure you that unfortunately your VIN is not listed, sorry. There are no 1969 vehicles in the 1970 microfilm, the 1969 microfilm does extend to year end, mainly because Camaro models were still 1969 models until the late intro on the 1970 in January 1970.


Thanks and regards:

George Zapora
General Motors of Canada
Vintage Vehicle Services
CA1-160-001
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, ON
Canada L1H 8P7

Phone: 905-440-7636
Fax: 905-440-7644

[mockingbird812]

Good info. Thanks for sharing.


<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">THAT</span></span> is what this board is all about!!!!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

I still don't understand about the guy you said was trying to scam you. I asked for clarification but you never answered. Can you explain what happened?


Jason

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I still don't understand about the guy you said was trying to scam you. I asked for clarification but you never answered. Can you explain what happened?


Jason </div></div>

pm sent

[NovaMob03]

since you told him what he had, maybe he's trying to buy it back himself. The car will probably pop up at some time...just stash what ya got and wait it out <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NovaMob03</div><div class="ubbcode-body">since you told him what he had, maybe he's trying to buy it back himself. The car will probably pop up at some time...just stash what ya got and wait it out <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif </div></div>
I have posted the vin on this site so as far as I am concerned everyone knows. If the car is found and the individual does not know what it is then great, otherwise it will be a chicken and egg game! Who is going to sell first me or him...most likely him since he has no documentation to prove the car is a copo car without the original MQ block with the vin on it. That is why I won't post a picture of the vin stamped on the block since the spacing of the characters and depth of the stamp cannot be reproduced and a car sold as original motor in the future.

[SuperNovaSS]

No PM here. Either way, I was only curious.


Jason

[bdplvx]

Wonder who I sent the first one too.....another pm sent.

[bdplvx]

No change in the search for the car. Placing adds on-line and calling people in the Boise area including restoration shops, salvage yards, etc. has produced nothing. I am traveling there in July to spend three days looking for the car with the last guy to see it.

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3052067046.html

I am not sure what else to do other than sit and wait....which is killing me!

[bdplvx]

Big Break I needed after hitting dead end!!!!

Within the last 4 hours I believe we know where the car is and who has it. I am working on obtaining number and address and will be contacting asap. My local guy in Boise I have been working with for months is traveling there Saturday morning. Good thoughts everyone.........

[Xplantdad]

Good luck to you! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Atuckman]

best wishes

[COPO PETE]

Stick with it!
Peter

[SS427]

Good luck!

[x77-69z28]

fingers crossed!

[PeteLeathersac]

Has the lead come from your online ads or beating the bushes around the Boise area?
Was the early '70 import sheet thing Pete mentioned ever solidly confirmed as a no?
Best of luck w/ everything!


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[bdplvx]

Well it feels like we are headed back up the hill on the roller coaster......

&quot;in visiting with Ed and others in the area it seems that the car I had is the right car. the other car that Billy had that was all gutted out was a 1971 chevelle. I went to the car show and to the stock car track. talked to folks that have been racing at the track for years. no 69 chevelle has ever shown up at the circle track. we will have to continue our search in the valley here. I think its good news that it is here in the valley. the car crusher has made a couple of tours through the where the car was and there are a couple of folks that have rounded up every old car and pickup in the area and sold with the high steel prices. you are correct about the signal not much cell service between here and there, didn’t get your message until late sunday eve.. we will continue our search&quot;

Purchased plane tickets and will be in town on July 13th-15th looking for the car.

[COPO PETE]

Well, I ran into the fella with the COPO Chevelle at a cruise night, tonight. Yes, GM of Canada could not find his car on the sheet, and did not think it was a Canadian car when he sent in for his sheets. He bought the car off Central's lot, so he knew it was. His vin is before your potential car. He sent a copy of his protect-o-plate, and bill off sale, plus his sheets from under the back seat. It definitly showed up on the 1970 micro fish sheets as it was shipped September 26 of 1969.
Hope this helps!
Peter

[bdplvx]

I spoke directly to George three different times on the phone and told him what you had told me about the car showing up on the 1970 microfiche. He did not believe me and asked for that information, of which I did not know and could not provide the owner's name or car info. He assured me there was never a 69 COPO that showed up on 1970 fiche......I don't know what else to do but something in my gut tells me you may be correct.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I ran into the fella with the COPO Chevelle at a cruise night, tonight. Yes, GM of Canada could not find his car on the sheet, and did not think it was a Canadian car when he sent in for his sheets. He bought the car off Central's lot, so he knew it was. His vin is before your potential car. He sent a copy of his protect-o-plate, and bill off sale, plus his sheets from under the back seat. <span style="font-weight: bold">It definitly showed up on the 1970 micro fish sheets as it was shipped September 26 of 1969.</span>
Hope this helps!
Peter </div></div>
Holy cow that is late...!

[COPO PETE]

This was done many years ago (contacting GM). This was before Georges time, when Frank was in charge of historical records. If George is not looking around that Sept 26 or later for shipping dates, he may miss it. Of course,.... it really could be a non Canadian car, and not be in there at all! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif
Peter

[PeteLeathersac]

Great the Canada thing is back on track as double checking like this sometimes exactly what it takes to reveal the solid facts!
Back in the early days of GM Vintage I ran a few Vins through Frank too and a copy of the whole microfish page was included w/ each package.
Do you know if the lad w/ the Central Copo got a copy of the actual microfish page too Pete and if so is there a longshot chance this car could be included on the same page?


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeteLeathersac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you know if the lad w/ the Central Copo got a copy of the actual microfish page too Pete and if so is there a longshot chance this car could be included on the same page?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete </div></div>
Ya, great minds think alike. I thought the same thing, but he does not think he has that micro.... I think he does, and does not know it. I'll see him early August, and hopefully he brings all his paperwork.
Peter

[bdplvx]

That would be something else if the vin is on the sheet....one in a million chance. Bt I will take anything at this point.

136379B412654 It's been etched and get get it out of my mind!!

[bdplvx]

Got the email below from my add on Craigslist. After speaking with him tonight on the phone he sold the car in 2008 to a guy in Big Sky country. He had no title to the car and does not recall the vin but described the car, which generally matched the description. He will be visiting the bank on Thursday to see if he can get a copy of the name on the wire transfer from 2008. I will work this lead out until it goes cold or I find gold.

&quot;Not sure if this will get to you, but I have info on the car. My name is John. Call me at xxx-xxxx&quot;

[COPOIVME]

Where can I get a copy of the CHEVELLE COPO VIN list? Looking to purchase a MQ COPO Motor.
Thanks,
Gary

[bdplvx]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garylau</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where can I get a copy of the CHEVELLE COPO VIN list? Looking to purchase a MQ COPO Motor.
Thanks,
Gary </div></div>

Is this the Gary Lau from New York that raced a 69 Chevelle with a 427 in 2002 at Maryland International?

[COPOIVME]

I'm from the east coast and have been racing my chevelle at MIR since 2001, Blue with black top. It's a orginal 396/375 4 speed car. Looking to buy a COPO motor.
Gary

[bdplvx]

I was doing some light reading and came across the following statement;

&quot;According to Cunneen, it appears that only the 9566 options would have been used on non-Yenko orders. Yenko orders would have carried 9562, 9694 and 9737 codes&quot;. Is this 100% accurate?

I am 100% positive my dad's car came with ralley wheels (still have two of them) from the factory. I wonder if there were any COPO cars ordered with the 9737 option not delivered to Don? A couple other items I find interesting is that the car did not have any stripes or SYC markings of a Yenko car, however the vin number is within 13 cars between these other two Yenko cars as listed in the link below.

&quot;Chevrolet built 86,307 SS Chevelles in 1969, and of that number, 323 were COPO cars. Of those elite 323, 99 were sent to Yenko to be transformed into a Yenko S/C Chevelle at his Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, dealership&quot;.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=72580

Does anyone know out of the 95 vin numbers on the list what the other 4 mystery vin's are to make up the total of 99?

[camaromb]

Yes there were non-Yenko 9737 optioned '69 Copo Chevelles. There are a few Canadian documented 9737 Copo Chevelles, some with power drum/ no disc brakes. If your dad's wheels are original 15x7 for '69 they should be YH code. Good luck in your search.

[Stefano]

&quot;some with power drum/ no disc brakes.&quot;

COPO L72 Chevelles with drum brakes?

That is a new one for me. Never seen that before.

Learn something new everyday.

[sYc]

Hum...I thought to get the 427 appproved by the Central Office required disk brakes being part of the package. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[Alss]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: camaromb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes there were non-Yenko 9737 optioned '69 Copo Chevelles. There are a few Canadian documented 9737 Copo Chevelles, some with power drum/ no disc brakes. If your dad's wheels are original 15x7 for '69 they should be YH code. Good luck in your search. </div></div>

Disc brakes were mandatory!..they were part of the SS options/platform that were the basis for the COPO cars. They were essentially a SS car with a few different parts added and some deleted..but they all had disc brakes.

[PeteLeathersac]

Here's where things left off on this 9 years ago...
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=57971&amp;page=2


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete

[bdplvx]

Anybody have a comment about the serial numbers that are missing from the total of 99 Yenko cars?

[bdplvx]

Just thought I would give a quick update to search...I have no new news. I search for the car everyday and look at every 69 chevelle I come across. In the meantime I have purchased another 69 that I may build as a tribute car to my dads original car and start the restoration in the spring. Not sure. Happy holidays to all!

[Rainer]

Looks like the search continues as I just came across a CL ad from Brent, still looking for the car and offering a reward. Best of luck :)

PS - Reward for info leading to car is now apparently $5000.

[Bill Pritchard]

Perseverance :worship: