1969 L88 Corvette COPO

[Dave Rifkin]

I was watching TV this morning when a commercial came on about the upcoming Mecum auction. It highlighted the L&M Porsche 917 and a beautiful Ferrari. Then it showed a yellow and black, 1969 L88 Corvette racer that is supposedly the only L88 COPO built?
Curious about that car; what makes it a COPO?

[PeteLeathersac]

Being a '69, if factory built/shipped w/ 4:56 or 4:88 rear it'd be a Copo 9511 car.
Nothing to do w/ the L88 or other RPO's also totally different in other years but <span style="text-decoration: underline">for '69 model year only</span> and regardless of being A/B/F/X body cars, a Copo 9511 order was required to have these axle ratios supplied as factory equipment.


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~ Pete

[olredalert]

----Mecums listing states that its the M-22 that makes the car a COPO, but that just isnt so. My Monaco Orange 69 L88 had an M-22 on the window sticker and I know of many others. I also just looked in the &quot;ol fact book&quot; and 101 M-22 1969 Corvettes are listed as produced at a $290.40 premium. There probably is some validity to the rear gears as I believe that all you could order thru normal channels was a 4:11.

----As well, Dennis Ahrens original L88 (a really well known Chicago area L88) was delivered with a 4:56. Terry M had the car listed as sold and didnt mention COPO. Usually Terry will talk up anything even remotely rare. Not sure weather the rear choice is COPO or not but, at least, theres a second one! Terry also made a statement in his listing that the Ahrens L88, which was extensively drag raced, had a best time of 10.82 at 156mph. Id love to see anyone run a high 10 and run over 150. Dont believe it can be done.....Bill S

[PeteLeathersac]

Here's a few links;

Mecum August 2012 listing...
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=CA0812-134031

Tank sheet...
http://www.proteam-corvette.com/cars/photos/69L88COPO10.jpg

Mecum Jan. 2009 sale footage on YouTube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-91Zp44hs

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~ Pete

[olredalert]

----Pete,,,Good find on the build sheet! I see it, but for the life of me, I dont understand it. The build sheet has the normal M-22 above that lower listing of COPO M-22. Why would the trans be mentioned twice. Ahrens build sheet isnt pictured on TMs sight, just the window sticker, so no insight there. What could have made that M-22 different enough to COPO it???.......Bill S

----Oh,,,And that was one of Terrys guys driving the yellow car across the block.

[PeteLeathersac]

Whatever's up I L<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gifVE this car!!!
Perhaps there were other M22's available Bill, who knows what it all means but it'd sure be interesting getting to the bottom of it all especially w/ the 4:56 Copo 9511 situation being involved too.
Examining the ECL codes would be the best next step although I don't have any to compare with also some appear obliterated in the tank sheet pic?


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~ Pete

[SBR]

I see that there is no J56 option on this Vette which was required with all L88s. Maybe that is why it's a COPO?

[TimG]

Lack of the manditory J56 option made this a COPO. Kind of like a no radio car being a big plus.

[olredalert]

----But Tim,,,Why does the tank sticker say M22 and then COPO??? Thats what I dont understand.......Bill S

[JoeC]

Maybe the trans was listed as a COPO option for the internal speedo gear to match the COPO rear gear?

[olredalert]

----Joe,,,Thats as good an explanation as any!......Bill S