COPO FIRST 427 CARS

[ZL1]

THE FIRST 427 COPO (Central Office Production Order) CAR IN THE WORLD WAS BUILT IN HAWAII IN 1965


Yenko started production of the COPO 396 and 427 Camaro in 1967.


At this time, I worked for a Toyota/Chevrolet dealer in Hawaii. Through the support of the owner, I built a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air, 2 Door Sedan, with bucket seats, console, and button puff interior.


In September 1965, the first shipment of new 1966 cars arrived. I chose the Chevrolet Caprice and installed the complete Turbo-Jet 427/425 HP engine, M22 Transmission, Drive Shaft, HD Radiator, Starter, Alternator, Clutching Fan, Transistorized Ignition and a Chevelle 12 bolt 4:88 Rear End. Additionally, I installed Headers and the Corvette off-road exhaust side-pipes, under the car, exiting in front of the rear tires.


In 1967 (before the 20 COPO L-88 Corvettes came out, I replaced my engine with one of the very first L-88 427/430 HP engines that GM sent to me in the crate. This was a complete engine, including manifold with distributor to the oil pan. This engine included aluminum heads and several months later I received another L-88 engine with the open chamber cylinder heads.


We sold one 1968 L-88 427/430 HP Corvette silver/black and just before l969 GM sent me the first very rare ZL1 427 all aluminum engine because our dealer sold a lot of high performance cars. The last engine I received was the 510 and 576 all aluminum which was installed in my in my 1955 Chevy, 1967 Corvette and 1969 Camaro SS/RS with the first available year with the Cowl Induction Hood.


My car was built for show and go and driven everyday to work. Back in the 1960's the A/Gas Champion, Johnny Loper's Anglia, "Lil Hoss" ran 10.21 et. My car ran 9.60 and could have done better, but I did not want to alter my fenders for the larger tires needed.


I ordered over two dozen 427/425HP, L-88/427's,ZL1/427's,510's and even some 576's to install in Nova's Camaro's Chevelle's, GTO's, an A'Gas Anglia, Willy's and a Mustang.


Motion, Baldwin Chevrolet stated 10.5 et or return the car! Read about the New Dodge Challenger Hellcat Hemi 707HP..11.2et..C/Gas back in 1960. The Chrysler and Ford Hemi were called Ground Shakers. My car sounded like an Earthquake. I got 133 traffic tickets in one year for "loud noise". Today, I have one of my special 576 aluminum engines in a 1978 Chevy Half Ton Pick Up that runs 8.50 seconds!! Mahalo and Aloha!!!