COPO FIRST 427 CARS

[ZL1]

I took everything out of the new 1966 Caprice and installed it in my 1955 Chevy!

[rts]

All I can say is WOW!!!

[ZL1]

I am so lucky to have worked for a Chevy Dealership that sold a lot of super high performance cars. I was 19 years old and in September 1965 built a 1955 Chevy with the 427/425hp engine, I got everything I needed right out of a brand new 1966 Caprice.

The complete Turbo-Jet 427/425 engine, M22 trans, HD starter, alternator, radiator, transistorize ignition, battery, clutching fan, drive shaft and trans cross member. Why I decided to do it this way was because everything was completely assembled, running and ready to be installed. Additionally, I installed the headers and mounted four Corvette off-road side exhaust under the car and exit it in front of the rear tires.

On the first start up it was so loud we thought something was broken, rechecked everything found nothing realizing this is it. The first road test was another scare the trans first three gears made so much noise I thought it was broken because in 4th gear it was perfect. But the worst panic came when the car went through all four gears at floor board and I found out immediately we definitely needed disc brakes.

That is why today I realize I may have built the first 1955 Chevy in 1965 with the 427/425hp and continued to build a lot of other show, race and street cars. All of the owners of these cars wanted the Best Big Rat Motors and came to see me at our Dealer to purchase or have us do the installation.

Some customer that purchased the new high performance cars also wanted more power so we always kept them happy by installing a bigger engine or help to increase the horse power. Thanks & Aloha

[miket1]

Great story and history, I didn't know Hawaii was that much in the hi-performance stuff.

[SS427]

Jeff C. uncovered a LOT of high performance cars while he was living there including a 67 RS/Z28,
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...opics/355547/1

A Gold 1970 LS6 Chevelle and a 68 Ralley Green 427 Dana Camaro just to name a very few.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...opics/238136/1

[Paul_S]

Wow! Was the '66 L72 Caprice totaled/damaged at the time to use as a parts car? If not, what happened to it after (the remaining)? If that was a real M22 car, that's super-scarce. Sounds like you had a lot of fun.

Paul

[mssl72]

In his first post it sounds like he bought the car new, then added the L72 and transmission.

[TAR6569]

ZL1, any idea if any paperwork from that dealer survived?

[ZL1]

SERVCO PACIFIC, INC.
ADMINISTRATIONS OFFICES
TOYOTA, LEXUS, SCION, SUBARU & CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS
2850 PUKOLOA ST. SUITE 300,
HONOLULU, HI 96819
PHONE: 808-546-1000

Thanks & Aloha, Stephen

[ZL1]

SERVCO PACIFIC, INC.
ADMINISTRATIONS OFFICES
TOYOTA, LEXUS, SCION, SUBARU & CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS
2850 PUKOLOA ST. SUITE 300,
HONOLULU, HI 96819
PHONE: 808-546-1000

I worked for the Chevrolet & Toyota company from 1964-84 and retired. Because we were one of the very few dealers knowing the special-order codes we ordered and sold one 1968 L-88 Corvette. They should have records of that sale if any.

We sold many new 427 Corvettes, Caprices, 396 & 427 Chevelles, 302/Z28, 396, 427 Camaros, 327, 396 & 427 Chevy IIs & Novas. Two of our Chevy sales managers drag raced with the 1966 Caprice and were the Super Stock Champions.

We was the first in the nation to be sponsored by Chevrolet and Toyota in Drag Racing, our cars were the Champions in Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, A/Gas, C/Gas and the Super Stock classes. I addition, we built and help build a lot of Show Cars & Street Rods for people.

Chevrolet and Toyota management on business and vacationing in Hawaii loved and approved of the advertising and promotion we did for their companies sales. They all were happy and amazed when we took them Drag Racing, some rode in my 1955 Chevy, 1967 Corvette and 1969 SS/RS Camaro and they all drove one of my cars.
Thank & Aloha, Stephen