All Images from: Mecum Auctions

Despite what some may think, Chevrolet’s COPO (Central Office Production Order) system was not developed for the purpose of sneaking high powered pony cars out under the noses of GM management. Mind you, it did get used for that. The COPO facility was intended for specifying custom vehicle orders based on regular production vehicles.

Say, as a dealer, you needed 35 taxicabs with rubber floor covering instead of carpet, the COPO system would look after that for you. However, a few clever dealers, already involved in delivering high performance Chevrolets found that the COPO system could be used for other purposes.

Specifically, COPO 9561 would have the factory build a Camaro with the 427 cui, 425 hp Mk IV aluminum big block V-8 engine. This was special because the largest engine that could be ordered under the RPO (Regular Production Order) approach was a 396 cui, 375 hp aluminum head big block V8. The bigger engine, known as the L72 was only intended for use in Corvettes.

Dealers that had been building 427 Camaros by swapping engines out when they arrived at the dealership saved a lot of work once they figured this out. The current example, built with a 4-speed manual transmission, is one of an estimated 822 cars. Another 193 were built with automatic transmissions.

In addition to the larger engine, factory built 427 Camaros included a RAM air induction system, heavier front springs, heavy duty radiator and 12-bolt positraction rear axle. As you’ll see in the photos, the exterior was devoid of ornamentation, making this car a factory-built sleeper. Only the most knowledgeable might spot the ZL2 air induction hood as being different from any 6-cylinder grocery getter.

COPO Camaro enthusiasts will want to watch out for this car as it crosses the auction block in August, at the Mecum Monterey, CA, Daytime Auction. The event runs August 18-20, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey.

Additional information is available at the event web site.