They're still out there (COPO) hiding in plain sight.
 

My buddy just snagged this 1969 COPO. Car was sitting on a side street in Philly for almost 3 weeks with no takers. He bought it just thinking it was a standard old Camaro race car until a closer inspection revealed what it really was. Before the orange paint, car was painted red white and blue and was called the "Northeast Gutter Slut". We are trying to find old pictures and history of this car. Car ran at Atco and on the streets of Philly for many years. Any help is appreciated.

-Matt

More pics.

Wow, an amazing find. Congratulations and what a fantastic Christmas present . Wonder what dealership it sold at I'd send off for that info immediately. ..:beers:

Wow talk about hitting the mother load! Any chance the original drive trains still with the car? Not knowing camaro all that well what’s the sure sign that it’s a copo! I know the BE is pretty significant but what’s the other signs?

How cool is that!! Congrats....:beers:

Engine and transmission are not original to the car. Car was a factory 4 speed. The BE rear, factory cowl induction X44 D80 car, brake block, exhaust bracket, and a few other small tell tale signs make it what it is.

Barn find plewey!! How about side-street find!!
I'd be oh so tempted to just clean that up a little, get it mechanically sound and have some fun. When are you gonna get the chance to run around in a real COPO and not be gunshy? Fun fun fun!
I thought about googling "northeast gutter slut" but was a little afraid where it'd take me.

I had already received photos of the car from a potential buyer and the asking price was 50k...seeing what that car needs and what it will cost to restore without Motor, Transmission and Documentation...you will be upside down when it comes to value...post restoration.

Cool find, I would be sending off the NCRS dealer query, might get you somewhere. Did Rob find this?

No, my buddy John did.

-Matt

Are you saying the seller knew it was a COPO ?

Gotcha. Must be a happy guy.

The guy who owned it and had it on the trailer on a side street in Philly just thought it was an old race car. It was purchased as just an old race car. Wasn't until he got it home, and with the help of a buddy, figured out it was a copo. Car isn't for sale at the moment as far as I know, but who knows who takes pics and tries to see if they can have it sold before selling it is even talked about.

Charlie, from what I understand neither the seller or the buyer knew it was a copo but the buyer found out after he got it home and priced it to a good friend. his friend clued him in that it was a copo instead of taking advantage of a buddy (that's a stand up guy in my opinion-a real friend)

I don't understand how it was priced at 50K. Without knowing it was a COPO I don't see anyone pricing it anywhere near that high.

I don't understand what's hard to understand here. No one knew it was a COPO until it was brought home. Not sure how it was priced at 50k if the car hasn't been offered for sale since its been purchased. Like I said before, maybe someone tried to middle man the car at 50k at some point once it was found to be a COPO. Not sure who but all we want is help with race history.

Cool...I take it you’re the knowledgeable buddy who decided not to take advantage of a friend. That’s good of you.

no it wasn't me. a buddy of mine told me the story. He knows the gentleman who helped out the buyer. I don't know of anyone trying to flip this car or any thing about the money . just about a friend helping out a friend. I just think there should be more people in this world like him though. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Dam...way cool ! Good thing I did not see this one for sale! I stop at every old Camaro I see.. for sale or not! Thanks for posting Matt !!

Sammy might know the car it was found in his area and Rob Rictor he did a lot of drag racing in that area

Cool find. Be curious to know what date BE it has. I would restore to original day 2 race trim. :3gears:

The date appears to have been obliterated when the link brackets were welded to the housing.

My thought was if the bracket could be removed then the “day” MIGHT be untouched. There are 3 possible dates as far as I know. Might be a 4th.

Great find! If that car could talk...

Congrats on the COPO Matt. Can’t wait to see more

Yep...I was told the seller knew it was a Copo...the photos I got are mostly the photos that are posted here on the first page. The potential buyer is a member here and sent me the photos in the last 3 days

I had the same question as Charlie, but now I think I get it. Some random middle man took the pictures and drummed up an offer of $50k. Is that correct? Really cool find. Love old race cars, COPO or not. Spent some time at Atco in the '70's with my 69 Camaro bracket racing and it was great fun.

I had a friend who has recently passed away. His name was Fred Crown, from NE Philadelphia. He had a '69 Camaro years ago that he drag raced called the "Gutter Snipe". If you want I can try to get more info from his family. Saw the provocative name and wondered if it is the same car?

Congrats, nice score. Keep us posted.

Yes we heard this as well. Tried to get in touch on a Facebook but didnt know that he passed. Any help would be appreciated.

interesting. NE Philly is my neighborhood. What part of Philly?

Question for the COPO experts... without a numbers matching block, POP, or other factory/dealer documentation, will the “tell tale signs” be enough to bring COPO money, especially after a costly restoration?

IMHO ...after your restoration.... with quality parts and quality restoration the end value in today’s current market is $125K. Restorations usually take 18 months. Hope this helps. I enjoy the hunt for parts , and the entire process. If needed I can help with sources.

"COPO" money is a pretty broad range. The best cars have known ownership history, factory/dealer documents, and expert inspection certifications. Original drivetrain is a huge factor.

Even without factory/dealer documentation, this car could bring decent money (IMO) if the owner is willing to get it inspected/certified, and track down the ownership history. Old photos showing it at the track would be a plus. Get delivering dealer info and also check for 9737 attributes.

The reason I ask is because if this was a 1970 Chevelle ex-race car in similar condition with a CRW rear in it, a single fuel line, big block steering shaft, and ZL2 firewall piercing but was missing the original motor/trans and did not have a build sheet or other documentation, you’d have a hard time selling it as an LS6 down the road. Let’s just say you hit a dead end with the ownership history or tracking down the original block, then what?

I’m not doubting what this car is, just playing devil’s advocate and also want to educate myself on the general consensus in case I come across something like this in the future. Pretty much all the tell tale signs that the car is a COPO could have been added at any point after the car left the factory, and the X44D80 on the trim tag is not limited to COPOs.

Feel free to correct me if I’m off base here...

The original poster summed up the identifying points in first post; rear, piercings. throttle arm, dual exhaust plate, ...etc


Next helpful hint is if dealer was a know sell COPO's.

First of all....compare the 07A trim tag /body # to other known 07A cars as well as vin #’s. There are so many tell tale signs ...and if you know your way around a 69 Camaro and are mechanic savvy then you will know if it’s been monkeyed with. Hard to fool the old wrench guys.

Sitting right off Keystone Street in Tacony section of Philly.

I know, but my question was if the tell tale signs are enough to prove the pedigree. I guess they are?

Just re-iterating what Copo Cartel has already said, it's the undisturbed combo of things on this car that make it obvious...so obvious I do not know how any self-respecting Philly Camaro guy didn't spot the signs.

Cowl induction wiring holes in firewalls, BE rearends and D80 trim tags are certainly to be questioned on a restored car sitting in the line-up in a tent at Barrett-Jackson. A used up race car on a side street in Philadelphia? Nobody's adding such things to it - they've been there from the beginning. In the absence of documentation, that's how you tell. The BJ car you walk away from, this car you pay for it, hook it up to the trailer get it the heck home.

Not to overstate the obvious, but MacNeish (or equivalent) has to look at this car NOW for certification. If the new owner waits until it is restored bright and shiny they are too, too late because of what you've already said Grunt - anybody could've put it all there.

With the photos provided...based on this particular car...I would say it is a used up COPO race car. And I am sure you will document the 2 hidden vins. Now ...get your VISUAL certification prior to turning a wrench. Btw...well said Tracker1