1969 COPO Camaro 4,xxx Original Miles -Tin Soldier

[69LM1]

It’s almost time for college for the kids. This combat veteran is once again available for all of those whom wished they would have bought Tin Soldier when it was offered several years ago by Stefano with Nickey.
The “Tin Soldier” is a combat veteran COPO 9561 ordered, built and campaigned by renowned privateer Ron Terrell. After purchasing Tin Soldier, I was able to trace back to Ron’s son Jason (who campaigns the Tin Soldier III), whom put me in touch with Ron himself (who still campaigns the Tin Soldier II). There were several stories around this car and stories that Ron worked for Queen City Chevrolet where this COPO was ordered.

Those stories were incorrect, but the real story is one for the history books! Ron actually did not work for Queen City Chevrolet, Ron worked for GM at the Norwood Plant! That’s right, Ron worked at Norwood building these Camaros, and in fact, was present and worked on the assembly line when this (his) COPO was being built! Possibly the only COPO that was built at the “factory” by the original owner!

One of the unique items on this COPO that has survived the years is a large “GM” water temperature gauge that is tapped into the intake manifold. Ron explained to me that he liked to keep an eye on his engine temps as he was under the hood, so as Tin Soldier was being built he tapped some friends in the GM Locomotive Division and this water gauge “fell” onto the car  . Ron has many, many other stories about Tin Soldier and other cars they worked on at the plant during the magical times of yesteryear when these soldiers were being born.

Immediately after taking possession of the COPO at Queen City Chevrolet, Ron converted the plain COPO (which was a Garnet Red 4 speed car), into the Tin Solder. First, he decided he wanted black and not red, so he repainted Tin Soldier black. As a privateer he had no sponsors, so he did add his friend at the Dyno Shops logo to the car. He tubbed the Camaro, added some goodies to the engine and off he went to the races! Ron was a very successful class winner and took Tin Soldier through several classes, with Tin Soldier winding up with a Dana rear and an Automatic. By all accounts Ron was (and is) not only a class winner, but a classy winner. Always willing to help a fellow car guy out (as I can personally attest to).

The Tin Soldier has 4,XXX Original Miles, most of its Original “Born With” Interior, sheet metal and never any Rust. It still has the upside down 427 chalk marks from the factory. Like most of the successful combat veterans, Tin Soldier has had some transplants through the years. None of the driveline is original, but just about everything else is original, and with less than 5,000 Miles, all ¼ mile at a time!
This is what COPO’s were made for!

There are very few “Supercars” of any brand out there that have the history, race pedigree and bulletproof proof of Tin Soldier. Tin Soldier campaigned against some well known cars such as “Soul Survivor” L89, “Herbies Hugger” and many, many more.

Jason (Ron’s son) and I hatched a scheme last year to sneak Tin Soldier to the Camaro Nationals in MD. Ron was unaware that Tin Soldier was there, and Jason and his mom snuck out Ron’s old fire suit, helmet and photo album. There is a video below where Ron is reunited with Tin Soldier after nearly 28 years! I of course, had to let Ron take it for a spin around the grounds.

I could go on and on about this once in a lifetime COPO Camaro. There are scans of Time Slips, Copies of period pic of Tin Soldier at the track, I do have a report by Jerry MacNeish, but best of all documentation is Ron himself.

Max Chevy said it best:

http://www.maxchevy.com/features/200...-nickey-3.html

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those two Camaros seemingly joined at the hip? The “Tin Soldier” is a COPO 9561 L72 4-speed car, purchased at Queen City Chevrolet in Ohio, and converted to a race car status soon after the original owner took delivery. Though many COPO cars have lost their original racing identity because they were restored to factory stock specs, this one embraces every bit of its racing grit. Tin Soldier’s running buddy, “Herbie's Hugger,” was bought by Herbert DeSalve and family of Dubois, PA, to serve in the Super Stock ranks. It was ordered with an ultra-rare L89 396ci aluminum-head motor, one of 311 built in 1969.</div></div>


Tin Soldier is modestly priced at $125,000.00

You can contact me by cell at 504-913-3618 (8am to 9pm Central please)

Link to a discussion about Ron and TS on ClassRacer.com

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=46541

YouTube Video on Ron seeing the car for the first time in 28 Years!
(plus pics of time slips, pics etc)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jl5n0peiSQ
























Ron's Current &quot;Tin Soldier&quot;!

[BJCHEV396]

Great car,story,video and pics! Good luck with the sale!

[scuncio]

Great car and priced fairly. Good luck!

[bergy]

Love the story &amp; the car! GLWS

[mockingbird812]

Well done write-up. What a warrior!!! Good Luck!

[69LM1]

Thanks guys.... So much more to this story. Whomever pulls the trigger on this car will not be disappointed.

Here are a few shots of Ron's signature on the weight box in the truck and the radiator:






Rich

[John]

.... Rich, That is one Bad Ride [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

.... That was great surprising the original owner [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

.... Here are a few more photos of your car at the Camaro Nationals [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

.... Great history on your car.... Someone will get a very neat car [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[69LM1]

New Price... Going on Ebay tonight.

$115,000.00 Firm for this piece of History!

Rich

[69LM1]

Bump....

Auction ends in a little less than 24 Hours!

Rich

[John]

.... This is a great car at a great price [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img]

..... Here is the ebay link.....

Tin Soldier on Ebay

.... Good luck to all [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]