241 mile Berger copo

[subyman99]

Hey guys! I wanted to share my 69 Berger copo.hopefully this isn’t to long of a read.

This has been a very special car for us. I’ve met some awesome people along the way, which I can consider friends now. Here is the story I’ve leaned over the time having it....

The car was bought by a gentleman (larry)who was a salesman at Harry may Chevrolet. He wanted the car that Berger had, (he really wanted the yellow zl1 next to it, but couldn’t afford it at the time) so he made a deal to dealer trade a 70’ nova for the glacier blue copo. Larry drove the copo home, this was the last time the car had street miles put on it.
Larry raced the car for a few years, being very competitive and even beating some big names. Larry sold the car to Friends that continued to team race it.
From the team that raced the car, the new driver was named Rick. Rick was a hell of a good driver. This car did a lot of winning, and from the people I’ve talked to, said you didn’t want to be in the other lane against it.

Rick raced the car a lot at Milan dragway, which is miles from where that car spent most of its life. The car was retired from racing after wining a big race in Norwalk Ohio and Rick was awarded a race car chassis. He built a new race car and the copo sat from there on. Rick always had plans to get the car back on the road, and unfortunately ended up getting sick and passing away before he could make his dream happen.

I purchased this car last winter and started to get it back together. I wanted to put the car together as it was back in the day. My goal was to have it together for the Berger all Gm show. I had the car running and moving two nights before we had to load up. First time this car has moved under its own power since the 80’s!

We went to the show, a great turnout. The Berger guys LOVED the car. After the show we loaded up and headed to see Ricks wife (Marcie) This was very emotional for everyone. Hearing that radical 427 coming down the street brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Marcie had invited Larry (the original owner there, along with the engine builder from back in the day, and friends that used to help him race). They shared stories, photos and Marcie even gifted us the photo album she had for the car. WOW!!

I’ve shared a few photos from the album and one pic of Larry the original owner standing in front of his old car with the engine builders.

Like Rick had told Marcie... “it’s the story that makes the cars so special”

Hopefully I didn’t ramble to much LOL

thanks to everyone that helped along the way, and the parts this site helped me locate to get this very special car back together

RIP Rick, I hope your smiling from above.

Matt

[Xplantdad]

Wow, how cool! Thank you for sharing!

[Steve Shauger]

Matt, thank you for sharing and bringing this car back to it's former glory. I'm sure it was a big hit to the Berger family/show and all who touched the car throughout its journey... Well done!!

[AnthonyS]

Yes, very cool!

[HuggerSS]

Matt, awesome story!

[jwbavalon]

Interesting story.

[Crush]

Double WOW!! Car was not to far from me. Would love to know more of the story and how you came across it

[subyman99]

This car came available to me a few years ago from a wanted ad I had on here. It was recently found at that time. I was really hot on it, ready to buy and ended up passing. I bought my yenko instead. I never forgot about it, and really did regret not buying it.
I followed it to the next owner (which is a board member) stayed in contact and when I was ready for another car we made a deal.

Not very often you get the chance to buy a car twice after passing it up the first time. I figured if I passed on it again it will go away.

Matt

[subyman99]

Few more photos

[Xplantdad]

Hi Matt


This is the one that Dave had, correct?