Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Talk about hard - when asked to write this my first response was ---- " no way " because writing about yourself is tough to do without sounding like you're bragging but after a little prodding here we go .As many of you know this coming Friday - December 7 ( Pearl Harbor Day ) I'll become one of those " new car guys " when I take delivery of a Victory Red Camaro COPO - # 62 to be exact .

My delivery will take place at the Chevrolet Performance Build Center in Oxford , MI - about an hour north of the Motor City - Detroit , where it all started .

When I was last at the build center in August I got to witness the first COPO to roll out of the building - and it was my friends - Jim Boburkas' # 007 COPO and was thrilled - and even more when I watched him make it faster and faster -- and then to go on to Class wins . Would I have liked to have mine on the same day ? You bet but someone must be first and someone has to be at the end .......Still ---Well , you get it .Even though I'm pretty much at the end of this run I'm still going to be the owner of one of the first batch - whatever that is worth .And to someone like myself who was around to see the original sixty-nine 1969 Camaro COPO's its important .Today is a bit different as they are sold out - in 1969 Chevy dealers weren't so lucky - my hometown dealer had two and it took him more than 2 years to sell them - why you ask - they were $ 7,500 each - big money back then - twice the price of a loaded Z-28 .

My peeps on this almost 600 mile trip that we'll be leaving for early Thursday morning - Jeff Jewell ( son of Division One SuperStock legend Larry Jewell ) , Keith Lehman - lifelong friend ( and a devout Camaro Z-28 guy ) and Joe Burns - a Chevrolet Service Manager ( and former drag racer ) from the Philadelphia area .

Friday will be a long one for sure as besides me taking delivery 9 others will be also - a record for sure as this has never happened before . I'll be smiling all day - not only will I be getting my car finally but I'll be covering the others for ClassRacer.com .Thanks Ken for the opportunity .

Stay tuned as I promise to bring it all ...............

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Captain Jack -- I will be delivering a set of WELD wheels to Turn Key in Oxford tomorrow morning... not for your car (yet...) but I may throw a few Weld Racing stickers on your car for good luck! Travel safe, and if you're still around on Saturday after picking up your new sled, give me a call.

Scott

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Have all the guys at the shop sign it under the hood or inside the trunk lid or some place else on the car...and good luck with your new ride.

http://classracer.com/classforum/att...0&d=1354490557

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congrats!

It's a unreal feeling seeing your car for the first time. Enjoy every second, it's over in a flash! Something I will never forget.


Do a big old burnout before you leave! :)

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congradulations Jack, thats a trip alot of us would like to take, cant wait to hear from you.
Jerry

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congrats Jack

It looks like a fun project.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Good Luck Jack & Have A Safe Trip.
Thanks for all of the updates.
I didn't win the powerball, so i guess i'll have to wait to get mine. lol

Can't wait to see it.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Can't wait to see it in the shop !

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

My #53 car, a Victory Red 427, was delivered to me the day before Thankgiving and that will surely be a day I will never forget. GM and all the folks at the Oxford, MI facility really did a great job. After having taken delivery on many new Chevy cars and trucks over 4 decades, this was one memorable experience. I have yet to see the first quarter mile in my new COPO but the entire order, build and delivery process has made me one happy customer. You will have a great day getting that car and seeing it home in your own garage will be very rewarding.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jackson -- was at Turn Key today... nice place, had a chance to tour with Mike Lawrence... also dropped my damaged Chevy II hood over at the Mancini's paint & body shop, and they had a few COPO's rolling around getting ready for paint...

I will attempt to attach a couple of (lousy) photos I took of your sled... looks like they have "a little" work to do to be ready for you on Friday -- but I'm sure it'll all come together.

Congrats, have fun -- and I will call you about wheels... dropped off a few samples with the Turn Key guys for the Camaro roller program

Scott

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Thanks Scotto - Its starting to look like a car -- for the moment we'll just call her - "Frankenmaro " ............. To a used car guy like myself its not big deal - a part here and a part there and it'll be together .

And get cracking on those wheels already ...........

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congrats Jack , was just wondering this weekend when your were going to take delivery.Miss your GTO but am really looking forward to seeing the COPO around Division 1 next season.Best wishes from everyone at Fazio Family Racing !!!!!

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

A couple more pictures showed up this morning from a friend at Chevrolet - its going to be very close finishing this car by end of business Friday ............

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Hey Jack,

Atco is open this weekend. Supposed to be 60 degrees. We can make a detour on the way back....

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

I'll second that motion !

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jack just out of curiosty how fast have you ever gone on the racetrack?

These COPO's are really nice cars and run deep in the 9's with that engine ...No?

So I assume you have to wear all the safety gear to race one.....-5 Jacket and pants.....gloves...neck collar....

60' times should be in the 1.20's with a 3 speed I would guess....

I would love to drive one myself.....with the front end flyin high.....

Your a lucky man to be able to own and race one.....

Don't let Jeff drive it.....He won't give it back......LOL

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

And don't forget the video for those of us residence challenged folks that aren't near by Jack.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jack, to be true to the brand there were 1015 69 Camaro COPOs with the L-72 engine and 69 with the ZL-1 option. They were all COPOs.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Rich - You're very right as I've not driven deep into the nines - that said I've recently fixed everything you can imagine within my body and I'm ready - I've been in the 1.20's 60 footwise so I'm OK with that .As far as the safety stuff goes I went shopping at Biondos' and came up with some really nice Sparco gear from them - can't thank them enough as I more than likely was way too picky and was probably a pain in the butte .Like they say - even if you can't drive well you should look good doing it ! ! !

And if and let me repeat if it scares the stuff out of me .....I'm quite sure Jeff will be glad to give me the Trans Am back and shoe the COPO . ( Geez Jeff stop smiling already )

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

I think you will be fine with it Jack.....and like Billy Chrystal used to say on Saturday Night Live....."You (will) Look Marvelous"....in your new duds.....and have a big smile on your face after you have made a few runs....

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Best of luck with your new car Jack and enjoy the day . Wow a race car with that new car smell too cool ! I remember at one nationial event at the simpson trailer I tried on 20 helmets before I bought the 1 that was wright for me ( helmet exp. ruleing ) .The young lady working for simpson was ok with it , I'm shore the Biondo's truely understand as well . Smokem out the bay door like Mr Jim B. for me man .......

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

On our way finally - we met in my driveway at 2:45 this morning and hooked my trailer to Jeff's dually .Got everything ? Coolers ? Check .Snacks ? Check.Directions ? Check.And off we got but not without drama .About 160 miles into our journey the truck starts acting funny -sputtering going uphills - smelling terrible so we pulled off the highway ( rt 80 west ) to have a look at whats going on .After a few minutes we decided that the problem is a faulty fuel gage and we're out of gas .No big deal right ? It is when you don't have any gas and no stations nearby .After searching thru my trailer I find a few gallons - that right - Jeff's truck runs really well on VP C-11 . Ouch .This is not the way to start off a fun trip .But we're back on the highway and tooling along just fine .

This afternoon we are to enjoy a real car guys treat - a private tour of the General Motors Heritage Museum - talk about excited .............later .

PS- Yes , that's Jeff filling up an extra gas can just in case ..........

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jack , better get the big Sharpie out and mark that jug, cause you know with your organizing skills in the trailer , that jug will end up in the Camaro sometime next year.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Hi gang -the folks at GM didn't disappoint this afternoon as the cars were spectacular to say the least - I can't thank them enough for our tour - those memories will last forever .

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

A few more from the Heritage Museum ...........

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jack=thanks for the great pictures-again! even in the off season you keep me entertained, enjoy your new car!

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congrats Jack! It's the perfect color too! I would love to make that trip some day! If you ever need a fill in driver, let me know!

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

I can't believe it but I slept well last night - slept like a baby - -I thought being excited would keep me awake but ........

A few more pics from yesterday

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congrats Jack, I'm happy for you. This has to be an exciting day for you. Good luck with the new car.

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

The anticipation is finally over as my baby and I are on our way home from the Chevrolet Performance Build Center. And I can't thank the build team enough - they did their very best to make my new racer a car to be proud of. Kudos boys - you did well, very well indeed. And to my friends Cliff Cohen and Roger Allen who steer the team - thanks fellas - I know you did everything you could to make my day special.

When we arrived this morning I was told mine wasn't ready - and I thought "oh no" - but not to worry. Fact of the matter is that they wanted to detail mine properly before delivery - an important fact to a guy like me who is a " spit and polish " kinda person. They spent most of the morning making sure when # 62 left the facility it was "best of show" clean. They machine buffed it with different pads and polishes - then hand polished - they vacumned and dusted ......well you get it - its sweeky clean inside and out.

I've got a zillion more photos and much more to write .......maybe later - my brain is fried and I'm beat - I need a nap. Off to dreamland ....where I'll be dreaming of good lights and fast ET's. In my shiny new Chevrolet ...........

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Looking Good Jack......

Now, when we get our first Stock Elim. Race with 100 cars, you can charge everyone
$5.00 to sit in it, and drool. I know i'll be the first one drooling........

Good Luck in 2013.


Pistol Pete
1374
I/SA

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Sorry Mr. Jewell but driving that car .......lets just say its like that famous actor once said -"when they pry my cold dead ........well you get it - seems tonight the COPO and I are bonding and when that happens .........

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

But Jeff looks good in there !!!

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Jack - Best of Luck with your new car. :)

PS.... don't they say that red cars get the most tickets?

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Got to meet Charlie Lingenfelter and his crew while they were taking delivery of their COPO - nice group of racers who are planning on making theirs a retro car .........Car # 46 is going to a great home for sure .

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Even Ford is well represented in area .......And for those of you who are thinking that I posted the Ford photos just to keep Kenny happy just remember that its close to Christmas and bonuses will be passed out soon so .......

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Thanks for the post and the pictures Jack. It was nice to meet you and share the morning in one of the most memorable moments of my life. See ya in the lanes, and best of luck to you with your car in 2013.

Jeff

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Congratulations, Jack. Have fun with your new ride, and thanks for taking all of us along on these adventures. You need to make a 'Western Swing some time, like others do and come see us. By the way,,, is there a clothes rack in that thing so you can sell T-shirts out of it?
Danny Durham

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Just asking here,,,the white copo has no white letters on slicks,and yours has Hoosier in white,is this a customer preference or a different brand of tire ,seen others like this,does chevrolet use only Hoosiers on the builds ,awesome looking car Jack enjoy yourself SEASONS GREETINGS,,,,,,

Re: Live from Oxford , MI - the Camaro COPO story - Part 3
 

Hi gang - still sorting thru photos - if I don't do it right away I'll wake up in February with at least twelve different reasons why I didn't get it done .And besides , if I don't get it finished my 61 buck bonus for Christmas won't arrive with Santa .All that plus I'll need the money to pay CableOne.net for my Internet service that Kenny won't pay for .

Believe me I'll get them posted if it kills me .........Kinda like the last picture - me coming out the window - not pretty but I got it done .

All that and believe me - Christmas did come early ............I'll have a Merry ! ! !