feb. 71 copo

[owners2]

noticed the corner spoiler i took off has a diamond shaped insignia with the letters AOS & what looks like a numerical number 1 under it then it say's LT.3990475. got the pre-delivery sheet & it states options & say's AIR SPOILER. Gutting the interior today to look for a build sheet.

[70 copo]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the positive feedback on my car. As for future plans, I'm leaving it as is for now. I'm not going to put it back to factory original.
In response to the earlier comments about the rear spoiler, the tall 3-piece did not replace the 1 piece until April 1971 (my car was built in February 1971). The following comes from an email between Mad Mike and myself discussing the subject.
"...Prior to to April 1971, the tall spoiler had to be requested, most easily, via the COPO 9796 to insure the correct spoiler went on the car, otherwise GM would have slapped whatever was in the bin on the car (the 1-piece spoiler). Since it was requested, the build sheet might give this away. It would still say D-80, but the code in the specific box may indicate the COPO number, or it may be hand written on the sheet to put the other spoiler on. GM knew what COPO 9796 was, it didn't expire just because 1970 ended. After April 1971, it became unnecessary and irrelevant (RPO D-80, regular production order). Prior to that, if someone wanted the cool tall spoiler, all someone had to do was drop the COPO number, and it would start ringing bells. Without the build sheet, it is impossible to prove or disprove anything, since anyone with a drill could install a spoiler."
This should clear up any confusion. [ QUOTE ]



I do not think anybody is confused. RPO D-80 was the box to check in 1971 You say so above. If personnel at the dealership or in the zone were confused in early 71 with the new product that is possible.

This however is fact: Chevrolet was out of the Factory backed T/A racing support at the end of 70. COPO 9796 as an engineering order was also finished then. I did not speak to anyone with a web site on this - I spoke in detail with Vince Piggins in 1985 about COPO 9796 and he was very clear that the need for a COPO ended when the 1971 year started with the RPO change.

Author Gary Whitzenburg also has a couple of pages on the 70 COPO T/A Spoilers in his book "Camaro challenger to Champion" Published around 1980. Have a look.

You still have a great car!

Phil




Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]

[70 copo]

[ QUOTE ]
noticed the corner spoiler i took off has a diamond shaped insignia with the letters AOS & what looks like a numerical number 1 under it then it say's LT.3990475. got the pre-delivery sheet & it states options & say's AIR SPOILER. Gutting the interior today to look for a build sheet.

[/ QUOTE ]


That is the maker of the end cap. They were all made by AO Smith Co. You have the Left hand cap there. The rest is the Part #.

Phil

[Kurt S]

I agree with Phil on this one. It looks like D80 was RPO by then and the invoice notes exactly how the RPO would have looked on the window sticker, which is not how it would have looked as a COPO #.

[owners2]

gutted the interior,even pulled the headliner down didn't ruin anything ,but also didn't find any thing .even took out the gas tank.any other suggestions as to where i might possibly find the build sheet? under the carpet & interior panels was so beautiful it was if it had just came off the assembly line.had many musclecar nuts stop by throughout the afternoon who had heard i was pulling the car apart, just couldn't believe the condition everything was in & that i was actually pulling it apart.

[70 copo]

Typically Norwood cars did not have them, for some reason they were discarded.

Phil

[70CitrusZ]

"COPO 9796 and he was very clear that the need for a COPO ended when the 1971 year started with the RPO change."

so..then any car from july 70 and newer had tall spoiler as a regular D80 rpo and not a copo.




\

[RSSSL78]

Sorry, Here is a copy of my long lost 71z's original window sticker showing the RPO D80 option. By the way if anyone knows of this car I would sure like to find it. Long story on its history.
John

[70 copo]

[ QUOTE ]
"COPO 9796 and he was very clear that the need for a COPO ended when the 1971 year started with the RPO change."

so..then any car from july 70 and newer had tall spoiler as a regular D80 rpo and not a copo.






You are real close. '71 model year started concurrent with the short UAW Strike that year as 70 production shut down at the end of August. Strike was timed for the '71 roll out on September 14, 1970 as I recall.

Phil

[Supercar_Kid]

How about the performance options on this one...D80, M22, 4.10 gears, and the car is still around to go with it. Hopefully it will be coming out of a long hibernation very soon.