When did GM first introduce the COPO option ?

[Verne_Frantz]

The COPO orders all went through the Fleet and Special Order Dept. The exact difference between a F&SO order and a COPO order is vague. I've documented a 1958 Chevy which was a COPO. Yes, stamped on the cowl tag with the order number. Also, a '63 4-dr Biscayne, stamped likewise, which I believe was an FBI car. (and a few others from the early '60s)

I know on this site "COPO" means something really special, but historically, those type of orders went way back. "COPO" did not always mean "Supercar" - it was simply an order that had to go through the Central Office due to specific changes from regular production. It's been around a long time.

[John]

...thanks Verne...that's what I wanted to know

[bwag]

I'm doing some work on a 27k mile 39 Chevy this week. The last time I had the car I found some paper work from the factory and selling dealer,there was a section on the order blank with a C.O.P.O. designation. I remember showing it to some of my friends ,I'll try to post the document if its still in the car.

[Jeff Murphy]

If I'm not mistaken, Fred Gibb used the COPO system to help LaHarpe area residents get cars in the immediate post-WWII days. Apparently, GM still rationed cars and gave priority to fleet orders for public services.

So Gibb got the idea to order a fleet of "taxis". He then sold those "taxis" to the local folks that couldn't get a car any other way...

By the time GM figured out that LaHarpe's 6000 population couldn't support a fleet of 50 taxis, it was too late.

It was only a matter of time before the Novas and ZL-1s...

[SS427]

I heard that same story not too long ago. Kind of funny how he made it things work for him.

[Fhakya]

Nicely put.

I'm betting he didn't have to send some of those "taxi's" back or out to other dealers from sticker shock though.

[68TopStock]

I will have to ask Helen this weekend, I've heard the same story. Bet some of the first Gibb COPO's were sixes.

[ORIGLS6]

"By the time GM figured out that LaHarpe's 6000 population couldn't support a fleet of 50 taxis, it was too late."


I've heard the same story a few times about the Gibb Taxi 'fleet'. Never thought about asking Helen for verification. DUH! The best available resource is right in front of us this weekend!

[yenkoman]

I was day dreaming when I said late 68. I was thinking Camaros and Chevelles not the whole C.O.P.O thing but I didnt know it went that far back.

[JoeC]

here is an interesting article on a COPO

this looks like about 1964 or 65

As far as I know, The first use of a COPO to build a fleet of race cars was the Yenko COPO on Corvairs

Yenko used Corvair COPO 9513A and 9681E and others in 1966

there was a COPO 9719A 1965 Chevelle with 396 L-78 and other hi po parts that was not a RPO Z-16