Last COPO Camaro to be auctioned in US

A few factors should make this supercharged Inferno Orange Metallic convertible race car drop-top more enticing to bidders:
- It's one of 69 COPO Camaro race cars built by Chevrolet for 2012 - and it's car number 69 of the sequenced production matched to its engine
- It's one of only two convertibles built - the other being car number 68 (which has been set aside by Chevrolet and isn't planned for public sale)
- It's one of 20 cars built with the 327 engine and 4.0L supercharger
- It's the only 2012 COPO Camaro painted Inferno Orange Metallic - and features additional custom graphics and special interior trim
- It's the only example built with a Turbo 400 three-speed automatic transmission.

The top is fully operational, although it must be up when racing, per NHRA rules in the USA.

"The COPO Camaro program has been a special program and there's not a better way to close out the 2012 racing season than with the final - and most unique - one of the 2012 production run," said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.

"Chevrolet is proud to once again partner with the American Heart Association at Barrett-Jackson for the sale of this COPO Camaro convertible. It will make a great race car or collector vehicle for a lucky bidder, who will be buying a piece of history."

The last 2012 COPO Camaro is powered by the COPO 327 engine that features a 4.0L Whipple supercharger, for an NHRA-certified output of 550 horsepower. The 2012 COPO Camaros were also available with a supercharged 327 engine featuring a smaller, 2.9L supercharger and a naturally aspirated 427 engine. All of the engines were assembled at GM's unique Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Michigan, where the LS7 and LS9 production engines for the Corvette Z06 and Corvette ZR1, respectively, are built, along with select Chevrolet Performance crate engines.

All COPO Camaros were built by hand starting with hardware from the Oshawa assembly plant that manufactures regular-production Camaros, including the same "body in white" body shells racers can purchase from Chevrolet Performance (part number 19243374) to build their own dedicated race car. Each was fitted with an NHRA-approved roll cage and other safety equipment, along with racing chassis and suspension components - including a unique solid rear axle system in place of a regular-production Camaro's independent rear axle. The cars rolled off the line wearing lightweight Bogart racing wheels and Hoosier racing tires.

COPO Camaros by the numbers
With the final 2012 COPO Camaro produced, Chevrolet has tallied the production numbers for the special run. Of the 69 vehicles produced:
- 67 were coupes and 2 were convertibles
- 43 cars were equipped with the 427 naturally aspirated engine
- 20 cars were equipped with the 327 / 4.0L-supercharged engine
- 6 cars were equipped with the 327 / 2.9L-supercharged engine
- 8 customers ordered the collector's package, which included all three engines number-matched to their car
- 32 cars were painted Summit White - including the original show car
- 20 cars were painted Black
- 12 cars were painted Victory Red
- 2 cars were painted Ashen Grey Metallic
- 2 cars were painted Silver Ice Metallic
- 1 car was painted Inferno Orange Metallic
- 12 cars were ordered without COPO graphics.

Demand from over 3,000 enthusiasts for the high-performance COPO Camaro after it was introduced in 2011 will see Chevrolet produce an additional 69 units for 2013.

Images: GM Media