People usually think of the SS or the Z/28 when they think of speed in a first-generation Camaro. Why? After all, they were the option packages based on ability. You could get the RS package from RPO Z22 for looks if you wanted style. If you liked the best of both worlds, you could combine the RS package with the SS or Z/28 options. However, most speed racers chose to save money and not check the RS box. How does the COPO loophole work? Even though the Camaro body style was only used for one year, more than 240,000 were made in 1969, which is why they are so popular. Even so, some rare examples of this famous piece of iron in the United States exist. One must be a car made through the Central Office Production Order (COPO) system. Some sellers used the COPO “loophole” to buy cars not on Chevrolet’s official list. Usually, the 396 big-block was the biggest engine you could get for a Camaro. However, the COPO program made it possible to get other machines, like the L72 427. Even though the COPO program wasn’t supposed to drive race cars, Chevrolet didn’t have a legal department then, so they took the payment from the dealer. What does COPO code 9562 stand for? Berger Chevrolet was one of the COPO shops people knew the most about. They have been in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since the early 1920s and are still there today. GM knew how to use the COPO system, so buyers who wanted more power could use COPO code 9562 to get the L72 427 big block for the supposedly low price of $489.75. The L72 427 had a lot of high-performance parts, like rectangular port iron cylinder heads, forged pistons, and an 11:1 compression ratio crankshaft. A Holley 780-cfm carburetor on a metal intake manifold completed the set. The L72 now has 425 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The only things that have more power than this are the well-known metal ZL1 and the aluminum head option. How does a double-COPO work? COPO code 9737 is the Sports Car Conversion Package, the other choice. These two numbers were combined to make a unique car called a “double-COPO.” The Sports Car Conversion Package put performance above everything else, which made it great for COPO cars that didn’t have the SS option. The package has heavy-duty springs, power front disc brakes, oversized sway bars, 15×7-inch rally wheels, and a 12-bolt posi rear with 4.10 gears. The COPO Camaro now has the best of both worlds, thanks to more speed and better handling. Berger Chevrolet sold an automatic Turbo 400 (TH400) transmission in most COPOs. For restless left feet, a Muncie four-speed manual transmission is available. These RS COPOs number 58 worldwide. Lot F91 is a 1969 RS Double-COPO Berger Camaro that will be sold at the Dallas Mecum sale in 2023. It is done in Fathom Green, and the inside is also green. As a Double-COPO, it comes with the 9561 for the L72 big-block engine and the 9732 for the Sports Car Conversion Package. A ZL2 cowl-induction hood and a Turbo 400 support the 427 engine. Even the Goodyear Polyglas tires and enclosed exhaust system are from the same period as the rest of the car.
