Rare 1969 Camaro Models: Check Out 3 Special Models To Hunt
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro took the softer proportions of the 1967 and 1968 models and added muscle car aggression. Moreover, the model year played host to some seriously sought-after and coveted models, like the 1969 Chevy Camaro COPO and the venerable ZL1. Check out a few of these exceptional historical models.
The options list for the 1969 Chevy Camaro was expansive
In 1969, muscle car fans could opt for more than just a convertible option or the four engines available in today’s Camaro. Instead, potential owners could peruse an options list that included many engines, from a straight-six-cylinder mill to the mighty ZL1’s big-block 427 cubic-inch V8.
Better yet, fans could opt for wide or close-ratio transmissions and many different rear axle ratios, like 4.10, 3.55, or 3.73. Of course, beyond the allure of a standard Chevrolet model with a 375-horsepower Z27 option, die-hard fans could opt for super-special packages like the L89.
What is an L89 Camaro?
The L89 package added lightweight aluminum heads to the 1969 Chevy Camaro’s L78, shaving off around 70 lbs, per MotorTrend. Moreover, the L89 Camaros from 1969 weren’t commonplace; Chevrolet produced just 311 of the 396-powered brutes.
Before the COPO came about, the 396 in the L89 Chevy Camaros was one of the highest-displacement motors in the model’s lineup. General Motors (GM) said it wouldn’t sell any F-body vehicles with displacements exceeding 400 cubic inches. We’re looking at you, Mr. Firebird 400. As a result, the crash diet of the L89 made it a collectible and special affair in the house of Camaro.
What does COPO mean for Camaro?
The acronym “COPO” refers to the Central Office Production Order program, a cheeky workaround devised by the likes of Don Yenko and Dick Harrel. When potential owners in the know opted for a COPO, their 1969 Chevy Camaro arrived with a 427 cubic-inch, not unlike a Corvette of the day.
In addition to the thrust-happy big block, the COPO got a 4:10.1 Positraction rear-end, a cowl-induction hood, and a four-speed manual or TH automatic transmission. Moreover, the COPO sported front disc brakes, a common upgrade among hot rodders and classic car builders.
How many ZL1 Camaros were there in 1969?
Chevrolet produced just 69 Camaro ZL1s for the 1969 model year. Understandably, it’s one of the most collectible models in the namesake’s history. In fact, Hagerty reports that a Hugger Orange 1969 Chevy Camaro ZL1 sold for $1,094,500 at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 2020.
Like the automotive speakeasy that was the COPO, the ZL1 was technically a special package. However, instead of an iron block and heads like the L72 engine, the ZL1’s 427 was all-aluminum, a first for Chevrolet. Better yet, the Camaro ZL1 produced around 500 horsepower, according to HowStuffWorks.
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