Ohio COPO Dealers
 

It seems that Ohio would certainly take the number one spot for total COPO selling dealers. Considering Chevelles, Camaros, ZL1s and Yenkos, by my count there were approx. 20 dealers selling these COPOs.

The Norwood Camaro plant seems to have generated quite a few interested customers, very similar to the Tonowanda plant and the Canadian COPOs.

Just my observations, what do you guys think?

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Stefano
Not sure the plants location had anything to do with the large number of Copo dealers in Ohio. Ohio has always been noted as a state with lots of car enthusiast. The large number of Copo dealers in Ohio may possibly be exemplified through what happens in other forms of autosports in Ohio.
Before the NSRA moved the Street Rod Nationals to Louisville(supposedly because they are buying the fairgrounds there), Columbus Ohio always had the most cars and holds the attendance records to this day.
A very common catch phrase back in the '60's car mags was the term "Ohio Gassers" in refering to the vast amounts of gassers that originated from Ohio.

It also should be noted that two of the largest speed shops in the world originated and are located in Ohio. Jegs originated in the '60's and Summit stared in the early '70's.

California may have more cars because the population is so much larger (The LA area and surrouinding basin probably have more people than the entire state of Ohio) but Ohio has more cars on a per capita basis.

My question to you is are most of the Copo dealers on the eastern side of the state? The eastern side of the state had a large industrial steel/ coal base in the '60's & '70's. Any area that had a large steel/coal base back then had more musclecars per capita whether you are talking about the Ohio Valley or Pittsburgh( Mon Valley etc) Eastern PA (Allentown area/Stanton)or some of the areas in Indiana (Gary??). The blue collar workers who were making the high wages back then were the ones who were into hotrodding and buying the musclecars.
Dave







[Edited by whitetop (05-09-2002 at 01:09 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Dave,
I agree with your statements. But, it was the combination of the demand (Racers and Hot Rodders, including special deals to family of GM employees) and the direct Knowledge maintained by the employees and line workers, who walked into dealerships and educated them about ordering these cars (Supply).
GM did not directly inform Dealers that these COPOs were even available.
Maybe Jim Mattison can chime in as he certainly educated at least one Ohio dealer on how to order these special cars.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

I think most of the "hot cars" cars were sold in eastern Ohio and western Pa. because of what you said, a lot of the baby boomers had good jobs in the steel mills and the availability to the many drag strips in the area. From where I lived in Pa. I could go to seven different strips! Youngstown was a big seller of muscle cars also. Marv Minneman Chevy and Stackhouse Olds sponsored cars back in the 60s as well as other dealerships in the area. In my opinion this area was the biggest "hot bed" of COPO and muscle cars in the country!

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

T Billigen
I agree with your comment about the Ohio Valley being the hotbed of musclecars. I met a retired Chrysler Zone rep many years ago from my area and he told me about the sheer numbers of rare Chysler musclecars (440 six paks, Hemi's) that were purchased in the Ohio Valley Region which I would included north of Youngstown down past Wheeling and eastward to the Pittsburgh area. His term was they used to call it the "Hot Rod Valley" beacause of th amount of musclecars purchased. I grew up in the valley and have lived in 3 other parts of the country and nothing compares to the numbers of cars in this area. The car numbers in this area are still high today even after many of the cars have been sold (or rusted out- also the emmissions from the mills were horrendous to the cars)to other parts of the country because of the depressed economy this area experienced back in the late '70's and '80's or the guys who owned them moved away and took the the cars with them.

I remember a speed shop in Cadiz Ohio (Coultraps)that was directly in line between Columbus and Pittsburgh. When you walked in the door you pulled a numbered ticket to be waited on. This is from a shop that was out in the middle of nowhere and the closest town Cadiz had a population of 4-5K. The place had 8-9 bays that installed the parts you bought if desired. I talked with Tom Coultrap several years ago and he said it was common for guys to bring in a brand new car in the morning and he would install headers, carb intake wheels etc. and they would pick it up later that day or the next. Again, most were coal miners or steel employees with money in hand.

I know what you mean about the numbers and interest in the Youngstown area. I had some relatives that lived in the Warren Ohio area near Youngstown. My cousin bought a new '70 SS Chevelle(all white stripe delete) and raced it at many of the strips in the area you mention. I went with him in '74-75 to one small strip right across the river in Sharon Pa? Something with Beaver in the name?

Stefano I disrespectfully disagree on the impact employees may have had on the selling of the Copo's. I'm sure it had an impact but if you look at all the mags of the period the Zl-1's and Copos were plastered everywhere in ads, road test etc. Many dealers had ads in Hot Rod or the New York based publications for these cars. The cars were no real big secret back then. There were probably many dealers in the dark just like today.
Dave





[Edited by whitetop (05-09-2002 at 06:35 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

White Top, do you remember a Mopar that was Called the "iron horse" I think it was a 69 GTX? The strips near Sharon were Skyline, Meander, and Sunset, I don't recall any with the word "Beaver" in them?

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

T
Would not have had the chance to remember the GTX. I was not from the area, just visiting and was only about 12 years old at the time. My cousins car had aluminum slots and was all white. Probably has 40-50 trophies in his house from those days. Next time I visit I'm going to get pics. Was there a town named Beaver in that area? Maybe they were not going to go to Beaver but were trying to go get some beaver... I don't know.
Dave



[Edited by whitetop (05-09-2002 at 07:02 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Byrne Brothers in NY ran ads in 1969 for COPO cars but back then they called them "factory 425 hp Camaros and Chevelles". In the drag racing articles they were called "425 hp Camaros"

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Currently Northeast Ohio has 155+ Car Clubs,284 advertised local shows thru Oct 2002,and 8 or more car cruise-ins every night of the week.The cruise-ins average at least 50 cars per show earily in the week at small shows and 750+on the weekends/larger cruise-ins.I don't know about the rest of the country,I have lived in Cleveland all my life,but I doubt anyone can compare what goes on here to the rest of the WORLD.We have a local paper just for us cruisers,Cruisin'Times www.cruisintimes.org just to keep up with it.With numbers like this it's no wonder lot's of hi-po cars were sold.I've been to street races in Cleveland in the 90's that had 100+ cars every Fri/Sat night.You had one starter and a line of cars staged behind him.Always a mix of old and new muscle even tubbed race cars....

Steve

[Edited by 68l30 (05-09-2002 at 07:27 PM).]

[Edited by 68l30 (05-09-2002 at 07:29 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Dave,no problem!I just thought I'd chime in on the current state of affairs around here.I feel to many people in the area (Northeast Ohio) don't appreciate what we have here.It's not until I talk to others from different parts of the country,Southern California inc,that I realize what we have to enjoy!

Steve

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Whitetop, there is a town named Beaver in Pa. I lived right across the Ohio river from it. No drag strip within 20 miles though.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Steve
I did not want to slight the Cleveland area. I was going to include it in my post but neglected to do so. I consider it part, and it is a part of the whole Ohio Valley region that I mentioned that is such a huge car mecca. I was probably more relating to the areas that I grew up in even though Cleveland needs to be included. Cleveland is another ex-Rust belt city that had it's share of steel mills. There is even a full color magazine on my local newstands called "Northern Ohio Rodder" that includes all forms of car stuff. Mag is geared to the Cleveland/Youngstown area.
Dave







[Edited by whitetop (05-09-2002 at 07:53 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Dave,just noticed the Power Tour now stops/ends at the Super Nats in Canfield!I have family in Southern Cal. that are heavily into 55-57 Chevrolets.I will make the trip to Pomona this June(?) and will have another chance to see for myself.BTW we still have rust,lots of it!

Steve

[Edited by 68l30 (05-09-2002 at 07:54 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Steve
Check out my added comments about Cleveland in my last post. Know what you mean about S.CA. Tom Prufer is a noted street rodder from California with tons of magazine cars to his credit and he said in Street Rodder mag several years ago that until he went to Ohio to check things out he thought Southern California was God's creation to hot rodding.
Ohio changed his mind real quick.
Dave



[Edited by whitetop (05-09-2002 at 07:54 PM).]

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

I lived outside of Dayton until I moved to CA in 1979. I'm glad I was able to grow up in a small Ohio town. The cars and cruising were a great part of my youth. Our town of 6000 had its share of Detroit muscle. In fact, just recently I bought a car that had resided in my hometown area since '75 (thanks, Dave) and remember it cruising the local Parkview Drive-In & Dairy Queen. I would not trade those times for anything and though the car now lives with me in CA, it's Ohio heritage will remain.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

No comments https://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/frown.gif

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Are we talking going fast, pure copo,drag racing or what? California = Stone woods & cook, BIG JOHN MAZMANIAN, John Force, any of the Pendergon's. Let's not forget a guy named Bill Thomas,or Dana Chevrolet! Hey, I am not putting down Ohio, but Cal. had it's share of go fast too! Do any of you kid's remember a guy named Hayden Proffit? Now their was a true drag racing, car (Chevrolet)freak! Peace Brothers! ALSO NO SNOW HERE!

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

There is no doubt in my mind that Ohio reigns supreme ,as the muscle car state.

Especially with the info. provided within this thread. It is simply amazing!

Nickey Chevrolet carried the torch until the 1969 model year when Jack Douglass became part of the Yenko Dealer network for the Chicago Market and Fencil Tufo was added in 1970 as a Yenko Dealer.

A couple of other Chicago dealers have claimed to have sold a few COPO Super Cars, but I have yet to see one.(Does anyone know of any others?)

That was it for the Chicago-metro market as far as Chevys are concerned.

While a few dealers did some "COPO" advertising, such as the ones mentioned and others like Jack Head in Alehambra, CA. I do not recall having seen any Ohio dealers advertising "COPOs".

Only a few of the Ohio dealers sold any substantial volume of COPOs. Most only sold two or three total and some just one.

Does anyone have any vintage Ohio News papers with Dealer COPO advertisements?

I didn't refer to Fred Gibb as he was not marketing to the Chicago-Metro, in my opinion, at least not directly.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Hey Z28DZ
I grew up reading about the Dayton area "Rat Pack" car group in Hot Rod and Car Craft back in the '70's. Loved those cars. All the cars were no nonsense street warriors that ran slicks, tunnel rams and of course big blocks. Saw Pat Crafton at a show last year selling videos and all I yelled out was "Rat Pack". Should of seen him look around. Told me he had not heard that term in years. The Dayton area also brought us car painter extrodinaire Scott Sullivan. Who cannot remember his blue /blown L-88 '67 Pro Street Nova that blew everyone away at the '78 and '79 Street Machine Nationals? Car set the standard for the Pro Street Trend.
I really miss those days.
Dave

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Stefano,I'll look into my books to find the news articals.If I remember correctly most of the ones I have are just a two to three line add for the "new 427 Camaros and Chevelles $4995".These ran in the daily papers in Cleveland in July 1969.Some of the smaller city papers ran some larger adds,sorry I can't remember which.

Peter D,I didn't want to take anything away from So.Cal.There were/are a lot of great names and history to come from that area.I feel the huge amount of diversity in the Ohio area as well as the manufacturing/blue coller money ,in the day, set the stage for what we had/have today.Does anyone remember a backyard racer named Mr.Gasket?

Steve

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

I also recall the Rat Pack, whitetop. Serious cars with some loud paint. Can picture a candy red '70 Chevelle, in particular, with "Rat Pack" on the front fenders at the '78 CC Nats. Remember the Blue Nova, too. It did help launch the Pro Street thing. Gary Kolofski's '55 probably had a hand this, too. And Steve Lisk's Lenco'd Hemi Challenger meant business, as well. That is, before the whole deal sorta went full-Dobbertin and fairground racers were everywhere. Think Scott may have gone on to build a couple of cool shoeboxes ('55 and '57)?

Was a little young to remember a ton from the Yenko years, but did grow up playing hockey with a couple of Tufo's sons (One whose nickname was Fencil, BTW).

BTW - If I recall correctly, Bill Porterfield (of the ZL-1 Porterfields) was running around in a blown, mid-engined '78 Olds 442 at the Nats back then.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Steve,
Too cool, I can't wait to see what you dig up.

While we are on the subject of digging... does any one remember a Dayton/Lebonon Resident drag racer who campaigned an Emerald Green 1955 Chevy up to at least 1971. He would have raced it at Tri-County South of Dayton and probably Edgewater.

He also had a steet Racer/Driver,which was also occasionally run at the tracks. A very stock Silver Black vinyl top X-11 trimmed 1969 COPO Camaro. It was still running factory NC8 exhaust when he windowed the original L72.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

The orig. owner of my COPO Camaro said that they called these cars SS427's. And mine was purchased from Byrne Brothers. Just my .02 cents. Mayor of Fishkill

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Hello Tenney
I remember the '55 and the Challenger as well. I can still remember the look on Lisk's face in a pic in Pop Hot Rod as he sat in the car. Meanest look on somebody's face I've ever seen even to today. There was a small burb in a mag 4-5 years ago that '55 is alive and well in the new owners garage and is still the same as originally featured. Porterfield had a ZL-1 in a Kelmark GT before he did the mid engine Olds. He was in a mid engine kick for a while. I went to the '77-79 Street Machine Nat's in Indy. Wish I took a camera. Definetely a less serious time. I agree with you, Dobbertin was the one that set the stage for seriousness and perfection with his Nova and later his J2 Pontiac.
Dave

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Speaking of Rick Dobertin, we used to street race in the industrial park in front of his shop in the late '70's early 80's in VA. I remember going by his place almost weekly to see his progress on the Nova and the Pontiac. Incredible craftsman!

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Am I wrong or was Dobbertin building some kind of "Surface orbiting wheeled spacecraft" with his wife that he was to circumnavigate the planet with? It looked like a stainless steel semi-tractor trailer with 6 wheels and a pointed front. ?? Sorry for being weird but I swear it was him (1988?)

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Dave, I attended the CC show from '78 through '83 (Springfield) and stopped once the Nats went to DuQuoin. In contrast to the Pro Street movement, most of the crew I ran with began swapping Cragars, Ansens, etc. for Rallyes around this time (more for the aesthetic than as a purist exercise).

You're correct re: the Dobbertin's Orbiter, Festival. Never saw it in person but read about it in the mags. Remember seeing it advertised at one point but don't recall the price.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Don't forget Porterfield's ZL-1 mid engine T-bucket pickup. I think that made a trio of mid-engine projects for him in the late '70's.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

'79 was the last year for me. Not that I wanted to go to later ones just never had the opportunity. From the magazine coverage looks like the Pro Street trend really took off in '80. While there were some really higher dollar works, the cars that I remember from the earlier shows mostly just had minor mods like wheels, intakes, carbs, headers, gauges etc. That is what I meant by "less serious" in a past post. These were just like the cars that I remember that cruised around my hometown-and the style I still like today.
Dave

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Found these old prout chevy dealer ads recently. click the link. http://communities.msn.com/COPOPICS

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

I am seeking a Prout dealer emblem. Any condition wanted. We have the same ads from the paper. Before our friend Doug passed away he gave us the same ads. He cleaned them up on his computer and they are crystal clear. We will have them at the reunion...BKH

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Anyone have a Prout COPO Chevelle?

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Does any one have any info on Frost Chevrolet in Mechanicsburg, Ohio? They were to have sold five COPO Camaros, to include the Rally Green one featured in the 'Muscle Cars of the '60s' magazine dated January 13th 1969.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Hmmm, shuffle, shuffle. I recently bought a black RS COPO (needs restored) that was sold by Frost Chevrolet. It originally belonged to the brother of the original owner of said Rally green car. I don't know a lot about the dealer, though they dabbled in hipo Chevy's. From what I understand, the green and (my) black car, plus 2 others, were the first batch (Late May - early June 69?) and another unit arrived later (Sept 69?). I may not have my info correct as I am still putting the history together. If anyone has more info, please chime in.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Sounds like an awesome combo. What other options and trim does the COPO have?

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

This is the info I have on the car:

Vin: 647218 Body NOR 298357
TR 713 10B PNT
05C X11

Engine - T0512MN Trans - P9D19C Axle - BE 0512 G2

Other options: A01, D55, D80, N34, U17, U63, U80, Z22, VE3

The car was in my hometown of Eaton, OH and was owned by Dave A. from Mar. 1975 until Feb. 02.

ps - Charley made me do it...

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

M22 car and X11!! Nice. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
M

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Thanks for posting the info. It appears to be very helpfull with my quest in finding the selling dealer for My Silver COPO.

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Since you are a Native Ohioan hopefully you can help me with a few questions. Do you know the proximity of Dayton,Lebonon and Middletown Ohio to Mechanicsberg?

Also did your COPO come with Rally Wheels?

Was your COPO raced /track or street, and if so which tracks?

Do you know the options or colors of the other three missing COPOs from Frost Chevrolet?

Re: Ohio COPO Dealers
 

Since you are a Native Ohioan hopefully you can help me with a few questions. - Native that has been living in CA for 25 years, but ya never forget your roots



Do you know the proximity of Dayton,Lebonon and Middletown Ohio to Mechanicsberg? - Dayton being the hub, Mechanicsburg is appx 45 mi east and a liitle north, Lebanon is appx 25 mi south and Hamilton appx40 mi south and a little west.

Also did your COPO come with Rally Wheels? - I have a pic of the car when it was purchased by the previous owner in 1975, it has rallys, but I do not know if they are original.

Was your COPO raced /track or street, and if so which tracks? - To the best of my knowledge, probably somewhat. I have not talked to the original owner, but I'm sure the car saw some performance duty.

Do you know the options or colors of the other three missing COPOs from Frost Chevrolet? - From recent findings the 09A car is burnished brown and almost identical options, the rally green car in the article is in Springfield OH area, I do not have info on the other two at this time.

I received info from Charley that the 09A car is for sale.