2019 COPO Camaro Debuts at SEMA, New Engines and More

COPO Camaro showcases SEMA-spec new front bumper, again hinting at revised 2019.5 model.

Of course, a new COPO Camaro is always reason to celebrate. These factory-backed drag specials are always brutally fast, turnkey packages straight from GM. While things were pretty quiet for 2018, 2019 model year brings about several key changes. These changes, which debuted Monday evening at the SEMA show, are intended to celebrate the 50-year milestone of the special order, ultimate performance models and launche of the 2019 COPO Camaro program.

“Chevrolet is proud to celebrate 50 years of the COPO Camaro legacy,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “It’s one of the most enduring legacies in drag racing, with a powerful past and fast future.”

Featuring a special Anniversary Blue Metallic exterior color that pays homage to the original Laguna Blue offered in 1969, the SEMA show car previews the special color and graphics of the COPO Camaro 50th Anniversary Special Edition package offered for 2019. A 50th Anniversary Engine Appearance Package that emulates the look of vintage Chevy performance engines, with an orange engine block, chrome valve covers and a black high-rise intake manifold, is also available for the naturally-aspirated LSX-based 427 racing engine.

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The 2019 COPO Camaro’s available engine lineup includes a revised version of the supercharged, LSX-based 350-cubic-inch engine. The blown Chevy engine choices have expanded, too. COPO options now feature a 2.65L Magnuson supercharger as well as a 302-cubic-inch engine.

Rather amusingly, Chevrolet says the 2019 COPO Camaro “also features a distinctive and exclusive front-end design not shared with other production Camaro models.” We have talked about the refreshed version of the refreshed 2019 Camaro before. We expect to see this revised front end to appear on “2019.5” model Camaros.

Only 69 2019 COPO Camaro race cars will be built, which is the same number of 1969 COPO Camaro models built with the all-aluminum 427 ZL1 engine.

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Jake Stumph

Jake Stumph is a lifelong car enthusiast and racer, and former content editor for Internet Brands Automotive which he joined in 2015. His work has been featured by several other prominent automotive outlets, including Jalopnik and Autobytel.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Ohio State University in 2013, then pivoted from covering politics and policy to writing about his automotive adventures, something that, he says, is a lot more fun. Since that time, he has established connections with most of the world's major automakers, as well as other key brands in the automotive industry.

He enjoys track days, drifting, and autocross, at least, when his cars are running right, which is uncommon.

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