1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Tribute

Description

Over the last 50 years, few things have excited automotive enthusiasts more than the word “COPO”. And, rest assured, rolling up in a stunning COPO tribute is still one of the easiest ways to melt hardened muscle car aficionados into slack-jaw admirers!

A VITREOUS GARNET

As diehard Camaro enthusiasts probably already know, only 69 original ZL1-powered COPO Camaros were sold through Chevrolet's vast fleet operations. That means the cars were very basic, very expensive and extremely hard to get. Fast forward to today's collector car market, and authentic first-generation COPOs change hands on the high side of half a million dollars. So, if a COPO lover doesn't have a six-figure check on hand, what's the next best thing? Well, you're looking at it! Rotisserie restored roughly 850 miles in the past, this striking tribute aligns solid sheetmetal under rich PPG Garnet Red 2-stage. And, as if a cherry version of one of Chevrolet's most cherry muscle cars just wasn't good enough, this panther's builders spared absolutely no expense honoring its ZL1 legacy.

ALL-ALUMINUM AND ALL-CONQUERING

That legacy revolves around an all-aluminum GM Performance Parts 427 that, along with 199 other engines, was cast as a continuation of Chevrolet's famous COPO powerhouse. The story goes that GM was cleaning out the corners of the old Winters Foundry when astute employees stumbled upon the casting molds for the original ZL1. So, in 1997, GM decided to initiate a limited run of fresh ZL1s, and the rest, as they say, is collector car history. This Camaro's alloy heart, branded with a familiar Winters snowflake and an exclusive 3946053 casting number, was thoughtfully massaged by Diamond Racing Engines, and eventually blazed Katech's dyno at the rate of 535 horsepower. Oxygen and fuel enter the big mill's combustion chambers through a retro, single-snorkel air cleaner, stainless fluid lines and an 850cfm Holley 4296 carburetor. Below that correct carb, a requisite Winters 198 intake feeds requisite Winters 074 heads. At the back of those heads, a reliable points distributor shoots spark through bright Packard Silicone Suppression cables. Those wires fire 10.8 to 1 compression, which pushes Diamond Racing pistons, Callies connecting rods and a Callies .25-inch stroke crank. A Comp hydraulic roller cam is much more street-friendly than the original ZL1's flat-tappet piece. At the sides of that rotation, ported exhaust manifolds feed wide stainless pipes. Cooling is provided by a correct Curve Neck Radiator and pliable, GM-branded hoses. And the monster mill, correctly devoid of Chevy Orange paint, props polished valve covers between a Delco Moraine brake booster and a reproduction Delco Energizer battery.

TOUGH AS THE TRACK

Under this impressive F-Body you'll find a fully sorted chassis that, like the car's glossy exterior and lust worthy engine, has been restored to very high standards. At the center of the floors, a top-option Muncie M22 Rock Crusher stacks four forward gears in a stout Auto Gear Equipment case. That mean transmission spins power to a hearty GM 12-bolt that's finished with an Eaton posi, Moser axles and big, 3.42 gears. That drivetrain rolls on a rebuilt F41 Sport Suspension. Power-assisted steering makes excellent use of a familiar Saginaw gearbox. Stops are provided by the usual combination of power-assisted discs and drums. Exhaust flows through custom, 2.5-inch pipes to an X-shaped crossover, polished resonators and a polished, transverse muffler. And power meets the pavement through Garnet Red steelies, which twist 215/65R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As in front of 245/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As.

JUST THE ESSENTIALS

Cup this Chevy's quality Pilkington glass and you'll find a simple Standard Interior that wraps pliable TMI vinyl in a sea of vintage flash. Tall bucket seats nest on thick Dynamat insulation. In front of those seats, a straight dash features fully rebuilt telemetry that's complete with a 140 MPH speedometer. Below that dash, a correct console founds familiar 4-pack accessory gauges in front of a polished Hurst selector. The driver plots a course through a reproduction Rally Wheel, which carves circles around a tilting column. And a factory radio delete is obsoleted by a 1,000-watt audio system that includes a hidden, Bluetooth-capable Kenwood head unit and tastefully installed kick speakers.

Wrapping 427 cubic inches of exclusive aluminum big block in sparse amenities, quality restoration and one of the best colors offered on the first-generation Camaro, this coupe is an excellent nod to Chevrolet's high performance legacy! Looking for choice style, tenacious swagger and incredible athleticism? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte and add this brutal Camaro to your fleet.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Highly detailed, ground-up built COPO ZL1 tribute
• 427 cubic inch GM Racing Aluminum ZL1 V8 w/ Winters Foundry mark
• All-aluminum engine that was cast as 1 of 200 continuation blocks
• 535 dyno-proven horsepower
• Engine professionally built with correct COPO parts
• Winters aluminum 074 cylinder heads
• Winters aluminum 198 intake manifold
• Muncie M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed manual transmission
• 12-bolt rear axle / Eaton posi / 3.42 gears
• Power steering
• Power front disc and rear drum brakes
• Garnet Red paint
• Bucket seat interior with TMI vinyl / Modern audio
• F41 Sport Suspension
• Engine specs, build photos and dyno results included
• All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
• We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world