Some more 70 COPO history stuff

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

This was actually from an AMC site Interesting stuff. I wonder how long after this the "Ruse" was pulled off. Maybe Phil can help. Check out the attached photo of Hall Camaro at Limerock with the tall spoiler!!!!!

When technical inspection opened Friday night at Monterey, the organizers weren't sure if any of the teams would make it. Ford had appeared earlier with a trick carburetor, Camaro hadn't built enough cars with the big spoilers so dear to the heart of Jim Hall, Pontiac was in a similar position, Javelin was having engine troubles, and so were the Chrysler products. But when Timanus, and a crew of inspectors for the San Francisco Region, showed up to go to work, there was one of Jim Hall's Camaros first in line. Spoiler-less at that.
After the tech crew gave the car a preliminary once over, checking external dimensions and safety features, John Timanus stepped forward with calipers in hand and measured the carburetor throat. ("1-11/16ths, right on the nose.") Yes, the windows were still in the doors and they could be wound up. Everything else looked good, and the #2 Camaro (to be driven by Ed Leslie) was given an okay sticker.
Spoilers had sprouted on the Camaros, too, although they were the smaller 1969 type rather than the over-size ducktails Hall had wanted. "We've built 8200 cars with small spoilers," claimed a GM man, on "vacation" at the track. A conference call was placed to John Oliveau, executive director of ACCUS, and the situation explained. ACCUS and SCCA were willing, nay anxious, to give Chevrolet every possible break, but rules were rules. The Camaro teams were advised that if Chevrolet was unable to conclusively prove they had met the production requirements as of that moment, the penalty would be "severe."
Under those circumstances, nobody in the Chevrolet camp was willing to stick his neck out that far, and the spoilers came off.


Carl

[70 copo]

History sounds about right. Round #1 was at Laguna Seca April 19, 1970, with the COPO 9796 announced for production on April 26th - on the same date as the Round #2 (rained out) Dallas race.

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

when in the series did the ruse happen

[70 copo]

The SCCA ruse was at Round #2 at Dallas. But first the factory ruse: Penske had insiders still working at GM, and had learned of the new race spoiler and that Chevy was planning to use it at Dallas. Upon complaining to SCCA, These officials did an inspection where Piggins fooled them into thinking the spoilers were in full production.

In actuality GM only had about 50 Firebird center sections on paint racks and some prototype AO-Smith designed end caps.

With charm and some trickery Piggins fooled the officials into believing the spoilers were in full production.

Upon hearing of the outcome of the SCCA visit Penskie then complained again to the SCCA, and at Dallas SCCA planned to again pressure Chevrolet officials and the the Camaro team to "prove" the spoiler was in production.

Ruse #2 was where Piggins and Pierce Hand carried 6 sets of Spoilers and end caps to Chevy dealers in Dallas, had them installed, and had employees drive the cars to the public parking in the infield.

After that SCCA approved the spoilers for racing. Round #2 was a rain out.

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

Thats some great stuff. Way to cool, I wonder how much (if any) of that kind of stuff goes on today in NASCAR. Bet not much, it must have been a total gas to be involved in racing back in the day (I was 8 years old then)Im sure it made for some great competition and inovation. If you want a high res photo I can email it to you but its a huge file (Halls Car).

Thanks for the history its priceless. I noticed the front spoiler on Hall's car looks diff than the production fronts. Was that technicaly against the rules??

Great stuff

Thanks a Million

Carl

[70 copo]

No. The front air dam could vary in design for racing as a factory production piece had to accomidate potholes, Snow ect...

FS trivia...They were shipped loose from the factory and were put on at the dealer as part of new vehicle prep.

They were a "no fit" on the car transporter from the factory, (too low in the front)

[69LM1]

[ QUOTE ]
Ruse #2 was where Piggins and Pierce Hand carried 6 sets of Spoilers and end caps to Chevy dealers in Dallas, had them installed, and had employees drive the cars to the public parking in the infield.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard that story as well. Something along the lines of "Sure, there in production, just check the parking lot"
Also have heard that a lot less than the required 500 were ever made..

Anyone know where the gold COPOZ on ebay recently wound up?