Camaro ZL-1

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The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was a COPO (Central Office Production Order) 9560 optioned car produced on a very limited basis.

Conceived by drag racre Dick Harrell, and ordered through Fred Gibb Chevrolet in La Harpe, IL, they were built with the intention of entering NHRA Super Stock drag racing. In order to qualify for these races, a minimum of 50 had to be sold to the public. In all, 69 were actually produced. The option was priced at $4,160.50 (in 1969 US dollars), and was listed as the "HIGH PERFORMANCE UNIT" option. This brought the total price of the car to roughly $7,300; sales were poor and some were sent back to the factory and/or sat on lots for up to a year before being sold with the help of $1,000 rebates from GM. The ZL1 engine, which was the centerpiece of the COPO 9560 option, was factory rated at 430 bhp@5200 rpm, 450 lb-ft@4400 rpm. Actual output was 575 bhp@7500 rpm when fitted with open, long-tube racing headers, and properly tuned for maximum output.

1993

The 1993 ZL1 was, in truth, built on a dare. When the 1993 Camaro first came out, a person from the media stated to an important employee in Chevrolet that "I bet we will never see another big-block Camaro built". The ZL1 was a one of a kind not sold to the public, boasting a 572ci Donovan Aluminum Block Big Block Engine with over 700hp. Custom body styling, hood, black paint, and custom magnesium alloy wheels were also featured. It was sold for $145,000 at the 2009 Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

additional info on 1969 models

The original order of 50 COPO 9560 1969 Camaros ordered by Fred Gibb were bare bones models (popularly known as 'strippers')with no options other than the high power engine and stronger drivetrain. The other 19 ZL1's were optioned with various accessories as they went to dealers across the United States. All of the ZL1 Camaro's are considered extremely collectible, and those with a racing pedigree are most highly valued. Two of the Camaro's ended up in Australia with Bob Jane driving one to the 1971 and 1972 Australian Touring Car Championship. The other served as a drag racing car for Jane.