GM to Auction Insanely-powerful eCOPO Camaro at Monterey Car Week
Chevy has once again resurrected the COPO Camaro program, but with more than 700 all-electric ponies under the hood.
Before we get into the finer details, a brief history lesson is needed. Once upon a time in 1969, a light bulb burned bright over the heads of those at Fred Gibb dealership in LaHarpe, Illinois. Using a loophole in the dealership’s special order program, they could doctor up the paperwork to get the factory to make Camaros more powerful, and still have it be street legal and qualify as stock.
The goal was to use this loophole to their advantage and mercilessly dominate in the NHRA’s Super Stock Eliminator class. This program, by Fred Gibb and other privy dealerships, coined it the “Central Office Production Order.” COPO ended up producing high output cars with Chevy’s incredibly-powerful 427 aluminum big block (originally meant only for Can Am), but in very limited production because they were quite pricey to make. Like, only 69 kind of limited. The first line of cars ordered with these specs was known as COPO 9560, branded as ZL-1 COPO Camaros. And yes, they are the de facto predecessors of the modern ZL1 production models we know and love today.
So, they were monstrous, expensive, and equally rare—but those who got their hands on one certainly dominated. After all the hoopla and shenanigans, Gibb sent back the remaining COPOs he couldn’t sell back to Chevy. They were then distributed to other dealers.
Though, after the shining light bulb of genius burned out, it wasn’t until 2011 that we saw more COPO Camaros. Though, unlike its predecessors, they were absolutely not street legal. The only thing the newer ones had in common with the older ones was limited production (69, to appeal to consistency), and powerful motors. They made these elusive and wild Camaros until 2015.
To the public’s delight, the fires of COPO were reignited once more. The dream manifested itself as the new 2019 Camaro at SEMA 2018—only this time, the powerful engine doesn’t roar—it hums and buzzes. Because it’s electric.
Ladies and Gents, enter the eCOPO. A Camaro that comes equipped with not one, but two high output BorgWarner electric motors. Together, the two motors convert the power from 800 volts into more than 700 HP, and 600 ft lbs of torque. James Gilboy from The Drive explains that the power under the hood of this EV makes it a quarter-mile killer, earning a reputation for running nine-second runs.
Because it’s fitted with two electric motors, it’s a perfectly silent drag strip assassin. Though, with drag tires and a 56 percent rear weight bias, we do still get to experience the shrieking and familiar smell from burnouts. A Dodge Demon or Shelby Mustang won’t know what’s coming to it. Mostly because they literally won’t hear the eCOPO coming, but still. The fact remains that the spot for first place is certainly being challenged.
Want a ninja Camaro that could wipe out the competition after a 45 minute charge? Well, it could be yours, but only if you’re going to be at Monterey Car Week and want to buy one from auction. Yup, one, Chevy says this is a concept — not a production car. At least for now. Gilboy says this Friday, the 16th of August, consignor Russe and Steele will start taking bids on what’s sure to be a plague on drag strips. Russe and Steele say they expect bids to start around $500,000, so.. There’s bound to be excellent competition. If you’re lucky enough to outbid everyone at Monterey Car Week, you’re also awarded specialized training on how to operate and service the car.
Photos: General Motors Media
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