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-   -   241 mile Berger copo (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=169076)

subyman99 09-24-2021 04:08 PM

241 mile Berger copo
 
5 Attachment(s)
Hey guys! I wanted to share my 69 Berger copo.hopefully this isn’t to long of a read.

This has been a very special car for us. I’ve met some awesome people along the way, which I can consider friends now. Here is the story I’ve leaned over the time having it....

The car was bought by a gentleman (larry)who was a salesman at Harry may Chevrolet. He wanted the car that Berger had, (he really wanted the yellow zl1 next to it, but couldn’t afford it at the time) so he made a deal to dealer trade a 70’ nova for the glacier blue copo. Larry drove the copo home, this was the last time the car had street miles put on it.
Larry raced the car for a few years, being very competitive and even beating some big names. Larry sold the car to Friends that continued to team race it.
From the team that raced the car, the new driver was named Rick. Rick was a hell of a good driver. This car did a lot of winning, and from the people I’ve talked to, said you didn’t want to be in the other lane against it.

Rick raced the car a lot at Milan dragway, which is miles from where that car spent most of its life. The car was retired from racing after wining a big race in Norwalk Ohio and Rick was awarded a race car chassis. He built a new race car and the copo sat from there on. Rick always had plans to get the car back on the road, and unfortunately ended up getting sick and passing away before he could make his dream happen.

I purchased this car last winter and started to get it back together. I wanted to put the car together as it was back in the day. My goal was to have it together for the Berger all Gm show. I had the car running and moving two nights before we had to load up. First time this car has moved under its own power since the 80’s!

We went to the show, a great turnout. The Berger guys LOVED the car. After the show we loaded up and headed to see Ricks wife (Marcie) This was very emotional for everyone. Hearing that radical 427 coming down the street brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Marcie had invited Larry (the original owner there, along with the engine builder from back in the day, and friends that used to help him race). They shared stories, photos and Marcie even gifted us the photo album she had for the car. WOW!!

I’ve shared a few photos from the album and one pic of Larry the original owner standing in front of his old car with the engine builders.

Like Rick had told Marcie... “it’s the story that makes the cars so special”

Hopefully I didn’t ramble to much LOL

thanks to everyone that helped along the way, and the parts this site helped me locate to get this very special car back together

RIP Rick, I hope your smiling from above.

Matt

Xplantdad 09-24-2021 04:14 PM

Wow, how cool! Thank you for sharing! :biggthumpup: :biggthumpup: :biggthumpup: :biggthumpup:

Steve Shauger 09-24-2021 04:19 PM

Matt, thank you for sharing and bringing this car back to it's former glory. I'm sure it was a big hit to the Berger family/show and all who touched the car throughout its journey... Well done!!

AnthonyS 09-24-2021 05:28 PM

Yes, very cool!

HuggerSS 09-24-2021 06:12 PM

Matt, awesome story!

jwbavalon 09-24-2021 08:01 PM

Interesting story.

Crush 09-24-2021 08:13 PM

Double WOW!! Car was not to far from me. Would love to know more of the story and how you came across it

subyman99 09-24-2021 08:43 PM

This car came available to me a few years ago from a wanted ad I had on here. It was recently found at that time. I was really hot on it, ready to buy and ended up passing. I bought my yenko instead. I never forgot about it, and really did regret not buying it.
I followed it to the next owner (which is a board member) stayed in contact and when I was ready for another car we made a deal.

Not very often you get the chance to buy a car twice after passing it up the first time. I figured if I passed on it again it will go away.

Matt

subyman99 09-24-2021 08:46 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Few more photos

Xplantdad 09-24-2021 08:59 PM

Hi Matt


This is the one that Dave had, correct? :headbang:

subyman99 09-24-2021 09:06 PM

It is ! Dave bought it after I passed it up.

Matt

Xplantdad 09-24-2021 09:08 PM

Congrats on the COPO...it's beyond cool....And Dave is a great guy, too!:headbang:

PeteLeathersac 09-24-2021 10:49 PM

'

WoW car and story Matt also very cool how you've hooked up w/ Rick's family and friends.
Love to see/hear more of the '67 Pickup in your shop pic also if you're sharing, is that a '71 Blizzard Triple Factory Racer I see on the shelf hiding behind your Berger car?:eek2:
:beers:
~ Pete

.

luzl78 09-24-2021 10:51 PM

I love love love that color!

Bill Pritchard 09-24-2021 11:01 PM

Priceless, thanks so much for sharing. I think most everyone here will agree that you are welcome to 'ramble on' about stuff like this any time here :worship:

subyman99 09-24-2021 11:07 PM

2 Attachment(s)
LOL Pete ! I thought I had a good eye for background searching. You spotted my 71 blizzard! It’s a 71 797. Just an nice unrestored sled.. I’ve got a small collection of the early ski doors, being half our season up here is cold with snow, it’s my winter hobby.

Matt

ruralrte66 09-25-2021 12:11 AM

Very Neat story, Thanks for sharing!

Big Block Bill 09-25-2021 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subyman99 (Post 1564739)
LOL Pete ! I thought I had a good eye for background searching. You spotted my 71 blizzard! It’s a 71 797. Just an nice unrestored sled.. I’ve got a small collection of the early ski doors, being half our season up here is cold with snow, it’s my winter hobby.

Matt

I bought a brand new 775 TNT back in 1972. It had a garage door cable for a recoil rope. What a tank.

Bill

PeteLeathersac 09-25-2021 12:57 AM

'

W:eek2:W again Matt also good to know I'm not the only one still hooked on old yellow racers!
I had a bunch including a '71 645, sold most off 20+ years ago although saved a few w/ cool histories.
Great to see the '70 Singles, they're my favourite and I still have a '70 292 here.
What engine is your '72 also what year is your Tincab?
:beers:
~ Pete

'

subyman99 09-25-2021 02:22 AM

The 72’s I did end up selling, I had two 340’s and a 293. My tin cab is a 61’ . I love the 70’s too.
I still have my first one .. a 70 Tnt 340 with 40 miles on it.

Glad to see a few more guys on here liking old sleds too !

napa68 09-25-2021 12:04 PM

Nice sled collection Matt!!!

John 09-25-2021 12:45 PM

....

... How cool is that story !

... :cool2:

...

enio45 09-28-2021 01:17 AM

very nice!!

DW31S 10-03-2021 01:39 PM

Great stuff Matt!

ANDY M 10-05-2021 08:01 PM

WOW! I wish I could find some history on my car. According the the CRG, mine is the last known Berger COPO, delivered 6/2/60 according to the NICB. Also most likely a single order car.
On 10/24/21 I will have owned it 27 years. Still the strangest tale of ownership, ever.
PM me if you want the story. It was a car of the month back when the Clary clan ran the site.
PS you have an awesome collection. Color me green. However, I would be thrilled to line up next to you at the next SCR.
Andy

Vortecpro 10-07-2021 01:37 AM

Very nice!

Copo_Cartel 10-16-2021 12:13 AM

Looking forward to seeing this car in person. I hope you can make it to SCR 25.

subyman99 10-18-2021 02:50 AM

What do you scr guys do with your precious “be” rear ends? That’s the only thing I’m worried about if i take it. I’d hate to hurt that

Matt

Copo_Cartel 10-19-2021 07:36 PM

Well...I can only speak for myself....if it breaks ...fix it . Lol. Moser Axles and I have seen tubes welded. Come have fun take easy passes and don’t hurt the car. Great track photo opportunity. Go around the water box and have a little fun. Some people just come to the track and display their cars.

protree68 11-16-2021 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copo_Cartel (Post 1568016)
Well...I can only speak for myself....if it breaks ...fix it . Lol. Moser Axles and I have seen tubes welded. Come have fun take easy passes and don’t hurt the car. Great track photo opportunity. Go around the water box and have a little fun. Some people just come to the track and display their cars.

Some of us come to run the shit out of our cars and beat up on our friends slow cars lol but That’s just me

Copo_Cartel 11-27-2021 09:51 PM

Matt. You will have a great time. Easy and laid back.

firstgenaddict 01-05-2022 12:29 AM

I arrived at MCACN in 2019 and Dave Beem grabs me by the arm, hands me a stack of 4x6 photos and says lets go talk to this guy...
I was thumbing through the photos sitting next to and texting dave while the owner was across the table. I was amazed at the paper and the fact that it was Glacier over Dk Blue... there are VERY few COPO's with anything besides Black interiors, PLUS BERGERS are of the better optioned when it comes to L72's, Double COPO, D90, D80, Enduras.


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