When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

Does anyone know when they first made available the COPO option...of "ordering something that was not a RPO on a vehicle?"
.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

I believe the first COPO car you could buy was in 1967.I'm not 100% sure on this though.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

COPO wasn't an Option.
COPO stands for Central Office Production Order & was basically developed so Dealers could order large quanties of Special Fleet Vehicles,at a discount,with larger volume as well as superseding corporate red tape.
It made it easier to process for both parties involved.
Vehicles like Ambulances,Buses,Police Cars,Village trucks etc.,all painted there own colors schemes with options catered towards them and not the public masses.
The High Performance Engine ideas were an after thought. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

Did Yenko not start talking to GM in 1965 to build his first Stinger Corvair's for the 1966 year with the COPO's # 9513A, the 3.89 positraction differential, and COPO's # 9861E, the Dual Master brake cylinder unit.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

...sorry for calling it an "option"...
....just thought that there may be vehicles earlier then just 1968, and 1969 that may have been ordered with items which were not RPO items ...to their vehicle. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

My understanding is C.O.P.O. did not start until late 68 but theres alot of people here who know everything that I forgot over the years

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

The COPO orders all went through the Fleet and Special Order Dept. The exact difference between a F&SO order and a COPO order is vague. I've documented a 1958 Chevy which was a COPO. Yes, stamped on the cowl tag with the order number. Also, a '63 4-dr Biscayne, stamped likewise, which I believe was an FBI car. (and a few others from the early '60s)

I know on this site "COPO" means something really special, but historically, those type of orders went way back. "COPO" did not always mean "Supercar" - it was simply an order that had to go through the Central Office due to specific changes from regular production. It's been around a long time.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

...thanks Verne...that's what I wanted to know https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

I'm doing some work on a 27k mile 39 Chevy this week. The last time I had the car I found some paper work from the factory and selling dealer,there was a section on the order blank with a C.O.P.O. designation. I remember showing it to some of my friends ,I'll try to post the document if its still in the car.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

If I'm not mistaken, Fred Gibb used the COPO system to help LaHarpe area residents get cars in the immediate post-WWII days. Apparently, GM still rationed cars and gave priority to fleet orders for public services.

So Gibb got the idea to order a fleet of "taxis". He then sold those "taxis" to the local folks that couldn't get a car any other way...

By the time GM figured out that LaHarpe's 6000 population couldn't support a fleet of 50 taxis, it was too late.

It was only a matter of time before the Novas and ZL-1s...

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

I heard that same story not too long ago. Kind of funny how he made it things work for him.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif Nicely put.

I'm betting he didn't have to send some of those "taxi's" back or out to other dealers from sticker shock though.

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

I will have to ask Helen this weekend, I've heard the same story. Bet some of the first Gibb COPO's were sixes. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

"By the time GM figured out that LaHarpe's 6000 population couldn't support a fleet of 50 taxis, it was too late."


I've heard the same story a few times about the Gibb Taxi 'fleet'. Never thought about asking Helen for verification. DUH! The best available resource is right in front of us this weekend! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?
 

I was day dreaming when I said late 68. I was thinking Camaros and Chevelles not the whole C.O.P.O thing but I didnt know it went that far back.

...
... Seems like alot a people we talking about "How to order a specially built COPO car way before the COPO Program was even started ."

:3gears: :scholar:

...

..

I ordered a new 1969 Corvette that had a number in the COPO box on the build sheet, It was a non standard color trim body color combo The build sheet said SPECIAL PAINT

‘

‘58 Delray Tag below Verne F. shared years ago w/ Copo on ACC line.
RIP Verne, sure miss your input around here brother.:flag:
:beers;
~ Pete

.

here is an interesting article on a COPO

this looks like about 1964 or 65

As far as I know, The first use of a COPO to build a fleet of race cars was the Yenko COPO on Corvairs

Yenko used Corvair COPO 9513A and 9681E and others in 1966

there was a COPO 9719A 1965 Chevelle with 396 L-78 and other hi po parts that was not a RPO Z-16

I believe this car was at MCACN a few years back?
Black in color?:dunno:

I will ask the opposite, when was the last COPO?
I remember the mid 80's 1LE Camaro's but not sure if they were COPO or not.

Through the end of Gen6.

2024 model year is the last I see.

All of the newer COPO racers were built at Turn Key Automotive (via contract to GM) in Oxford Mi.

1LE was an RPO.

K