Original COPO Chevelle owner reunited after 45 yrs

[Woj]

Lady luck has smiled upon me a few times over the last few years. Starting with the acquisition of an unrestored 69 COPO Chevelle in 2013; culminating today with the original owner seeing/driving the car for the first time in 45 years. The car had the protectoplate and with that, the original owner's name. With some people searching on the internet, I made a call last week and luckily made contact with the original owner on the first attempt (he lives less than an hour away). Needless to say, we were both thrilled. We waited for a break in my schedule and some decent weather and met today for the first time.

Jim W. is the original owner. He is now a retired college math and science teacher. In June of 1969, he got news that Lyle Chevrolet (Cuyahoga Falls, Oh) had several 69 427 Chevelles on the lot and he made a dash for the dealership the next day. He left the dealership driving a brand new Monaco Orange 1969 COPO Chevelle. He said there were 4 COPO Chevelles there that day, two black and two orange. Two automatic cars and two manual shift cars. Man, how you like to go back to that day.

He bought the car, immediately day-two'd it, street raced it and a year later sold it with 1400 miles after the birth of his son. Life and work kept him busy for the next 40 + years. He never forgot about the COPO. He now has a few collectable cars, but has always wondered about the COPO's fate. Out of the blue, I called him last week. Just as he was about to submit an article and some pictures to Hemmings Muscle Car magazine regarding his long lost COPO.

That is the Reader's digest version of this story. Much more to follow in time. What a thrill this was today.

Here are two pictures he sent me last week. One with the car in "tow-mode" behind a new 69 el Camino (elky has the copo tires and wheels, and vice versa). The other with the car day two'd in a photo dated a year after purchase.

The last photos are of today. What a great time.

Enjoy.

Phil Woj.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/IMG_0174_zpsj2qaz4kg.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/IMG_0174_zpsj2qaz4kg.jpg.html)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/69%20427%20Chevelle/3_zpsaklpjd0k.png (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/69%20427%20Chevelle/3_zpsaklpjd0k.png.html)


Today:


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0168_zps8m0rvpdk.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0168_zps8m0rvpdk.jpg.html)


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0173_zpszn2rifsp.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0173_zpszn2rifsp.jpg.html)


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii116/Woj1969/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0169_zpsqts3nw97.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Woj1969/media/69%20427%20Chevelle/IMG_0169_zpsqts3nw97.jpg.html)

[Xplantdad]

That's sooo cool! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story! Make it a Member's Ride <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[68l30]

Great story Phil, I couldn't be happier for you! I'm sure you made his year by putting him back behind the wheel... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif


BIG

[Steve Shauger]

Phil, congrats to both of you. Just amazing and I can't wait to hear the rest of the story. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Woj]

Sounds good Bruce. I'll get back with you on that one.

Phil W.

[Xplantdad]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Woj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds good Bruce. I'll get back with you on that one.

Phil W. </div></div>


Awesome <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Great news, that is so cool to go for a drive with the original owner!!!

Great stuff Phil!!

Ryan

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Great car and meeting the original owner even better <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
Great story

[Charley Lillard]

That is why this site is still around, so that kind of thing can happen and be talked about. Great stuff.

[442w30]

While working on my book, I mentioned to some T/A Javelin experts that the paperwork for my car has a T/A Jav in a ledger below - owner traded it in for a Rebel Machine. One of the AMC guys took the lead and did a search for the name. A few hours later he emailed me back and said that he found the original owner. I did call the owner and asked him for his email so I could show him the invoice from the dealership, but since I didn't speak with him first, I missed the thrill of finally tracking someone down - I've had that thrill before upon establishing the identity and it's an unbelievable feeling - congrats to you!

[enio45]

woj......congrats ....very nice!!

[Damien]

Great story and result for all, Phil. Look forward to more on this one. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[MyRed67]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XXXBlackLs6M22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great car and meeting the original owner even better <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
Great story </div></div>
X2! Great story.

[Rixls6]

Love it Woj!
Look forward to more on this. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[John]

Woj...That's what this site is all about <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

... Let's hear more <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[Postsedan]

Phil - GREAT Karma <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

Dan

[A12pilot]

Phil,

FANTASMAGORICAL!!!!! That's awesome especially since you thought that perhaps he had passed on! What a great story and I'm sure you're proud as punch to get those pictures.

I find it fitting that we both finallygot our &quot;Super Cars&quot;, displayed them at MCACN last year with us having a 13yr reunion of sorts, and then we both get pics this year with their original owners! Truly an awesome thing!!!

CONGRATS buddy!!

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

Dave

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

The more I get into old cars, the more I realize (just like anything in life) it is really all about the people and relationships.

Ryan

PS: Mothers day is Sunday for us un-evolved Apes, get flowers, make breakfast, be a good boy!!!

[JoeC]

great Chevelle story and photos

[Tenney]

Too cool! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[chevelleheart]

That is a great story , Congratulations! Love to see and hear these types of reunions .....

[MosportGreen66]

Congrats Phil! Such an awesome story. Was great chatting with you over the car @ SLS Carlisle

Dan

[SS427]

Awesome story Phil and thank you very much for sharing it with us. It must have been great sitting next to him on his first ride in that car in 45 years. What a treat!
Rick

[68l30]

I gotta ask....Did he drive it like he did 45 years ago???? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif



BIG

[Woj]

Rick,

We chit chatted for a bit, ran the car in the drive, talked about the sound of the car and some of his day-two mods. Shortly thereafter he said, when can I drive it? I handed him the keys and we went for a cruise. He was enjoying every second of the ride, as was I. He's got lots of great stories about street racing in the day and the local car hang outs.

Thanks for all the great comments everyone. This was a huge day for me.

Phil W.

[Woj]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68l30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I gotta ask....Did he drive it like he did 45 years ago???? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif



BIG </div></div>

Steve,

He did respectfully put most of his foot into the pedal once, but really just enjoyed driving through the Valley here and was quietly having personal flashbacks. His big fear was getting to drive the car after 45 years, then wrecking it. I could tell quickly that he never forgot how to handle one of these.

I hope he will make the trip up for the Chevelle show this year. He really likes the 69's.

Phil Woj.

[mockingbird812]

Well done Woj and Congrats! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[69 Post Sedan]

Great story Phil.....congrats and thanks for sharing.

Kurt

[RPOLS3]

That's awesome - congratulations!

Jake

[Craig_Maiorana]

This is so frickin cool .... restoring my faith in humanity .... one muscle car at a time <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[69SSZL1]

Ask the original owner if his COPO had any kind of 427 sticker on the air cleaner lid!

[black69]

Congrats on the great time! I can relate, as I went through that on my Camaro and my challenger. It completes the story you have in your mind, of how your car was used (and abused) when new. That had to be fun.

[69hurstSC]

That is the best part of this hobby in a nutshell. Congrats.

[300deluxeL79]

so cool, congrats to both of you. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Woj]

Greg,

I asked the air cleaner decal question yesterday and he could not recall if the aircleaner lid had the decals or not. 45 years is a long time. The ones on the car now were put there by the owner previous to me. The original aircleaner was put on the shelf of his Father's garage and lost to time. I guess that answer is still elusive.

I did ask if he had any photos of the car before the day-two mods, he said he didn't think so. I'll keep my fingers crossed. He bought that car to street race and take to the local cruise spots. Guys at that time weren't concerned about preserving original parts, they just wanted to make noise and go fast. These are his thoughts and I think most of us would agree that is the way it was.

Anyway, I got an email from Jim this morning titled &quot;time travel&quot;, went like this:


I awoke this morning and checked my camera real quick to see if I had only dreamed about driving my old Chevelle one more time. Lori's photos help confirm that my alternative reality yesterday was actual. I'm glad that she took part in our fun. Thanks for everything -- really. Jim.


Lori is my wife and she took some photos of the reunion. It was a great day for sure, we'll both be talking about it for some time. I hope to get him to MCACN or some of the other significant Super Car events.

Phil Woj.

[Postsedan]

I hope he will make the trip up for the Chevelle show this year. He really likes the 69's.
__________________________________________________ ______________

I`d love to meet him <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[orig69ss]

What a great story it had to be a trill drive your original car after all those years.Just talking about racing and hanging
out at burger joints back in the day brings back a lot of memories,being a owner of my chevelle for 46yrs I can relate, thanks
for the story Phil.

Chuck

[galveston]

Congrats Phil!

Did you do any burnouts by the police station?? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[scuncio]

Awesome story. Just awesome.

I recently located the owner of my L89 El Camino and spent the morning hanging out with him. He still restores cars to this day and we had a blast swapping stories. Unfortunately the car is in pieces so he didn't get the opportunity to drive it....

Congratulations Phil! Great story! I can't wait to hear it told in person! Simply amazing!!!
Van

[Mr. Chevy]

AWESOME PHIL!!

Rich

[Bill Pritchard]

Phil,

I'm very happy for both you and him. Great story, thanks for posting.

[COPO CARTEL]

Way to go Phil ....you are a great guy !!!

[mssl72]

It's really cool how things like this happen sometimes! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[stritestoration]

very cool. As the owner of a w-30 that is in constant contact with the original owner and cruises, I can appreciate what you are going through. It makes a guy feel almost tingly when they drive it and it's as if they never skipped a beat. To me the stories are almost worth as much as the car.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

I am so looking forward to taking my car back to the original owner for a drive and a cruise night!!!!

Good for you Phil.

Ryan

[CopoFan]

Wow... just saw this tonight, so awesome.

Yet again one of your cars has brought back incredible memories and made them feel like they felt 45 or (in my parents' case) 55 years ago (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/438357/thanks-to-woj#Post438357).

Couldn't happen to a better person, Phil! Cheers!!!

Bob