69 L-72 Belair

[Unreal]

I was at a car show, this morning, and saw a numbers match L-72, two door post, Bel Air. Guy told me it was a COPO, because L-72's were not available on Bel Airs. Is that true?

[William]

For 1969 the L72 427 was an RPO (regular production option) for full-size (B body). Although not common, there were hundreds of L72 Caprice, Impala, Bel Air & Biscaynes built; I'm sure someone has the actual number. MCR did a story on a factory L72 Kingswood Estate wagon some time ago. L72 is right there on the order blank; the COPO process was not required.

There was a "COPO" L88 Corvette on ebay recently. That isn't a COPO either, just another RPO.

Remember the primary purpose of the COPO process was police and commercial vehicles like taxis. So a bright yellow 6/stick '69 Biscayne sedan could be a COPO.

[William]

During some office re-org I found a letter from Fran Preve concerning L72 engine build quantities for 1969. Full-size: manual trans 569, automatic 223. This is from the engine plant, not all were used for production.

[L78Impala]

pulling out my handy dandy "Chevrolet SS muscle car red book", it claims that 546 L-72's were sold in the "B" body.
The RPO cost in 69 was $447.65. Not bad for all that power.

[Stefano]

L78Impala,
Will you and Mr.Nickey Nova be making the Lombard cruise today?