Full Build: Iconic 1969 ZL1 Chevy Camaro Goes From NOPO to COPO

MuscleCar teams up with Chevrolet Performance to build a tribute to one of the most legendary muscle cars ever made: a 1969 ZL1 COPO Camaro.

Follow POWERNATION Everywhere:

[Kevin_]

As an old guy I saw a ZL-1 Camaro at Dickie Harrell's shop in south Kansas City. I was 13 and rode my bicycle there. It was around late may '69 because school was already out. Amazing car.

[HughWoo]

My stepfather has a copo he picked up from an auction that had some front end damage and it was something the two of us bonded over. I’ll never forget those days. I would have never imagined being able to turn that car in to what it is today. It does have a few options that others don’t have of the time and I think that’s what made it that much more difficult for us and pricey. It was something we agreed to do every Saturday. We would eat lunch together and then go work on the car or pick up parts if needed. I really miss those days. The car is parked in one of my buildings on my farm now and I never even start it unless he’s getting in with me. Damn I miss those days.

[geraldwalk]

Dude, I’ve been watching this show since I can remember and everywhere I see you do the interior rebuild. It’s one of the most awesome parts of the show almost as nice as diving into that engine you’re redoing. Thank you for all you do my hats off to you. Good job.

[benzlick]

307’s were absolutely gutless so this is one hell of a way to make this Camaro come to life!

[michaelfoster]

Nice build! What a '69 should look like. Not an overdone resto-mod.

[velohana]

@2:02:04 says it all. one of the very best full build videos you guys have ever - EVER - done! Truly DIY, iconic, budget considerate, unadulterated power that causes such a smile. Well done!

[genemanno]

Nice job, well documented resto type build without a bunch of stupid antics and crappy unnecessary add on’s. A nice car that is gonna be a lot of fun to drive and show off.

[jimhiscott]

I love the custom GM decal that has been placed on the ATi Crank Damper. Thecway he measured up, cut and weld that rear end was super slick. I am impressed😊. Great work

[snoking]

In 1968 My dad gave me two Firestone Wide Ovals for the front of my 1967 SS/RS 350. I drove the car from Port Angeles, Wa to Point Area, Ca on Highway 1 on the North Coast. 3200 miles later they were nearly bald and came off the Camaro.

[worryphree]

That 307 is SO NICE! Kind of a shame to watch it gettin' altered so much. I would love to see that car done as a restomod, keeping and freshening up the original aesthetics, but then beefing up the powerplant, and upgrading the chassis and suspension for modern performance and handling.

[bikerider]

The original building for Gibbs Chevy in Laharpe, Il is still there, but it is a tire place now. Its amazing that this tiny little town out in the middle of west/central Illinois was so instrumental in muscle car and NHRA history.

[steviethunders]

I love everything about these builds. Even the inclusion of every possible royalty-free version of “Life in the Fast Lane” you can find.

[NASTYcraftX]

I thought this was a recent build until they showed that radio and Tommy started talking about iPods lol

[robertm]

69 camaro has been a dream car for me since I was 13 years old. Great job on the build and thanks for all the information you provide.

[larrycraven]

It's a real shame they didn't take the time to dyno the engine to give us the real numbers on it😭

[robertprice]

Build a retro mod ‘69 Z-28! One of my friends in high school had an awesome blue with white Z. There’s so much you can do with the engine, trans, exhaust, interior, gauges, sound system and so on. Let’s build it!

[Easterndmondbk]

Tommy Boshers is a master welder. Pretty smart fellow, entertaining and knowledgeable, but he gets that welder in his hand he absolutely backs it up.

[jackkeller]

In 1972 I got a 69 copo Camaro for a high school graduation present I acquired every ticket except vehicular manslaughter in triplicate never wrecked it and never killed anybody my father worked as a paint supervisor in the factory with these cars came from he had an orange ss396 n75 I got to work there for 11 years there were four 427 camaro's around where I lived none were aluminum

[charliechristie]

This is a fantastic when you said "some" of these copo cars are lost forever. That is enough to make a muscle car nut my age (70) go down on one knee and cry.

[tomupchurch]

That wasn't the horn ground. That was the key buzzer contact switch...horn is on top of turn sig. switch