The COPO term is sometimes abused by sellers, much like many other terms like “barn-find” or “survivor.” We are most familiar with this Chevrolet term when it’s used for 427-equipped Camaros and Chevelles, and LT1-equipped Novas, but some people take liberties and think any car that received special treatment at the factory is a COPO − not true! This 1967 Corvette on eBay, however, may actually be the real deal.
Looking at the Corvette, it seems rather conventional: standard 327/300, automatic (which is somewhat unusual on a Corvette), and sidepipes. But this one was ordered along with 12 other Corvettes as part of the Shriner Patrol, which was the official escort and parade unit of the Tangier Shrine Temple of Omaha. From 1957-1981, they would buy several Corvettes every year, more or less identical aside of options specified by the respective buyer. (The same temple also had a tradition of buying Imperial convertibles for a number of years.) The reason for the Corvette’s COPO designation in this case is because each large order went through Chevrolet’s fleet ordering system, which is what the Central Office Production Order was all about.
But does that make this Corvette more desirable? Depends on who you talk to because, in the end, it’s an utterly conventional Corvette that was built together with 10+ others. Seller claims the Corvette is not running and needs restoration, with surface rust on the frame but otherwise is solid with no holes. For $43,500, you must really be interested in the car’s history or otherwise search for a more desirable combination of options (dare I say big-block 427?) for a better value.
Comments
How do people let these cars develop into that condition? Some people don’t deserve to own vehicles.
Easy, because at the time it was “just a car”, and over time it became just a “old used car”, and with enough time it’s now a interesting/desirable “collectible”.