1962 COPO Impala 409? First COPO?

[Verne_Frantz]

Carleen, That's a lot to digest in your post but I can add some comments. First of all, there was no such thing as a '62 Z-11. Late in '62, the '63 Z-11 engine parts became available and some racers added them to their A/S 409s and then ran A/FX, (as shown in the Hayden Proffitt photo) but none of that was done at the factory or as a COPO.
The photo of Dyno Don's '62 with the "1962 1/2" on the rear window signified that the engine had been upgraded with '63 425hp parts (not Z-11) through a service package that was released in April '62. Joe Gardner's Northwind was always a stock 409hp '62.
As for COPOs, there were 10 std transmission W engines shipped between June 8th and July 7th '61 under a COPO order. I don't know the specs on those engines and its really not clear if they were 348s or 409s, but Chevy released an RPO on June 8th '61 for the 2x4 version of the 409. Since an RPO was released, I'm not sure why a COPO would be necessary to obtain those engines. There had to be something else different about them because they carried a different (higher) part number than the new 2x4 409. During that same time, 34 COPO W engines were shipped with Powerglide transmissions. I believe these were probably 348s for some fleet purchase.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[novadude]

Verne - so were any 409/409 cars actually assembled by GM in 1961 full size cars? Did they build any after June 8, 1961 using the '61 bodies? Don't know much about 409 history, but I always that that 100% of the limited production '61 409 was 1x4bbl.

[Verne_Frantz]

That is a question I hope to find the answer to before I die. Several records indicate the RPO availablity of the QA (380hp) and QB (409hp) after that June date, but NO real cars have surfaced that I know of. There is also no found record of QAs or QBs shipped by July 7th '61. The only record of &quot;shipped&quot; 409s by that date are for RPO 580 which was the 1x4 360hp version.
The most unusual piece of that puzzle I've come across is a '61 409 block (cast 623) with a QA suffix, indicating the Spl Hi-Perf 1x4 engine (meaning it had the large port heads and matching intake) BUT it was originally installed in a 1962 Chevy! There was a huge delay between the assembly of that engine and the '62 it was installed in.
I intend to cover a lot of this topic in the book I am currently writing, but I will avoid printing any hearsay or hobby rumors that have floated around for decades. I like to deal with truth that can be proven.

Grumpy looked at the deck stamp on my '62 '09 back in 1982 and said, &quot;huuumph!&quot;. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing!

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[old5.0]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Verne_Frantz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That is a question I hope to find the answer to before I die. Several records indicate the RPO availablity of the QA (380hp) and QB (409hp) after that June date, but NO real cars have surfaced that I know of. There is also no found record of QAs or QBs shipped by July 7th '61. The only record of &quot;shipped&quot; 409s by that date are for RPO 580 which was the 1x4 360hp version.
The most unusual piece of that puzzle I've come across is a '61 409 block (cast 623) with a QA suffix, indicating the Spl Hi-Perf 1x4 engine (meaning it had the large port heads and matching intake) BUT it was originally installed in a 1962 Chevy! There was a huge delay between the assembly of that engine and the '62 it was installed in.
I intend to cover a lot of this topic in the book I am currently writing, but I will avoid printing any hearsay or hobby rumors that have floated around for decades. I like to deal with truth that can be proven.

Grumpy looked at the deck stamp on my '62 '09 back in 1982 and said, &quot;huuumph!&quot;. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing!

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] </div></div>

You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy.

[Verne_Frantz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy. </div></div>

Yes, its on '61-'64 full size. NO racing or modified stuff. Just the way they were delivered. Thanks for your support.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

You're writing a book on early big Chevys? Be sure to let us know know when it's done. I absolutely want a copy. </div></div>

x2

[1967Z28]

Is there some documentation for 50 being the number of '63 Z-11s built? I've only ever seen the 57 quantity quoted.