63 SS Nova COPO ???????

[Verne_Frantz]

Chris,
That is a real Chevy-II block (or at least pan), judging by the position of the dipstick.

Verne

[x Baldwin Motion]

Verne, I had three of those pans with the dipstick attached for the V8 conversion. I never claimed my conversion to be a COPO .

If the literature says three were made, then it must be true... or not? If it is rarer then hens teeth and numbers matching they need to yank the master upgrade and correct the paint. I asked the seller for photos of TT and stamp pad.

[JayR]

The engine code is F0923DE. The DE is a Chevy II 283 V/8 w/Powerglide. My book says 1962. Anybody got any better info than this?
Bob

[Dog427435]

[ QUOTE ]
If it means anything, I have a copy of Chevrolet's production records for the '63 model year. According to those numbers, there were 3 Chevy-IIs built with a 283 V8, and ONE 4-spd.

Verne

[/ QUOTE ]



I show the same thing - 3 with 283 & 1 - 4 spd- but it does not show a model id number pertaining to this or an RPO number. How could you verify this as real?
COPO # would have to be on trim tag?

[Dog427435]

[ QUOTE ]
The engine code is F0923DE. The DE is a Chevy II 283 V/8 w/Powerglide. My book says 1962. Anybody got any better info than this?
Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

DE

All I can find:

'69 Camaro 307 - 4 spd
'69 Chevy II 307 - 4 spd
'69 Chevelle / Monte 307 - 4 spd
'67 Chevelle / Monte 283 P/G
'68 Chevelle / Monte 307 P/G

[JayR]

I have the info from the trim tag. What am I looking for?

Bob

[69 Post Sedan]

This is what I have found for a "DE" engine code.


RPO Year CID TRANS HP BODY
DE 1958 283 Powrglid, air susp - - - full size/Malibu
DE 1962 283 Powerglide, a/c - 195 - A X
DE 1968 307 man trans., 4 spd - 200 2 A F X


Kurt

[Paul_S]

DE is the correct code for Nova 283/PG for '64 but will have to verify for conversion suffix. I asked for block codes, casting #'s and data plate photo. Would like to see the casting date.

Verne, what production records are you seeing that? Could they just be engineering mules or what?

[Verne_Frantz]

I have a source that lists DE for Chevy-II '62-'64 283 with P/G. There's also a '67 Chevelle with 283 P/G & '68 Chevelle with 307 P/G.

As far as I know (and believe), my production numbers indicate production (shipped) vehicles, and not engineering mules. There is no reference to a V8 style number for the Chevy-II, nor an RPO for the V8 or 4-spd for the Chevy-II (as Dog stated). The only reference is found in the total engine production and transmission production listings by model.

Every other COPO I've documented in '63 was a full size car, and the cowl tag was either stamped COPO or F&SO (Fleet & Special Order) followed by the order #.

So, based on Chevrolet records, it seems possible for 3 to exist, but this car in question has no indication of being a COPO (IMO). But that doesn't mean that it couldn't be one of the 3.

If it's a Tonawanda block, and if it's a late '62 casting to correspond with the Sept assy date, it (more than likely) will have a Julian cast date, which will make it difficult to pin-point the year.

This car needs a solid paper trail to make it worth $30K more than it would otherwise be worth.

Verne

[PeteLeathersac]

Vin 304370141309

A Sept engine and March build....possible but doubtful?.

If the seller truly bought his own story, wouldn't you think he'd be happy to state how he arrived at such a conclusion also back up his claims w/ castings and stampings in the ad...not say 'he believes' and mention things like how it's been 'thoroughly inspected' (by his own people)?.

Also if truly belived, why goof it up w/ added accessories and disc brakes during resto?.

If he'd skipped the Copo story the car may've even sold by now...or reached more than the 20 thou it did on eBay?.

I vote !!!

This gem aside, what year was the Copo process first known to have been used anyway?.


~ Pete