1967 Chevrolet COPO Corvette - The NY Auto Show Tri-Power Display Car
From: Mecum Auto Auctions - Monterey 2012 - Aug 16-18, 2012, Lot S112
Sold Price: NA
Among the most exclusive creations to emerge from Chevrolet during the musclecar era were those produced through the COPO program. A once obscure practice that has since become the stuff of legends, the Central Office Production Order was employed by Chevrolet executives and select dealers to authorize the fitting of special features or components to factory production vehicles. COPOs were written to cover unique modifications to factory-built Chevrolets including special ordered paint jobs. When the General needed a special display car for the 1967 New York Auto Show to promote the new Tri-Power option, they opted for a special paint and trim combo that could only be manufactured through the COPO program.
Only five known 1967 Corvettes came from the factory with Silver Pearl exterior paint with Red interior. The significance of these COPO Corvettes is that the color combination was not available to the general public. Special attention was given to the cars and notably, each of the five 1967 Silver/Red Corvettes is one-of-a-kind when it comes to engine configuration. Two of the cars are small block convertibles; the first is equipped with a base 300 HP engine and the other a 350 HP L79. Three 427 big blocks were born in Silver/Red; one was 390 HP Coupe, another was equipped with the 400 HP L68 and the most significant of all five: this COPO Silver/Red 435 HP Tri-Power Convertible.
The official production date for the car was March 14, 1967. GM shipping records indicate that it was delivered to Chevrolet's New York zone office under Dealer Code 0, less than two weeks before the 1967 New York Auto Show. The Red-trimmed Stinger hood opens to reveal the highly touted, brand new-for-1967 Tri-Power 427/435 HP big block fitted with the distinctive chromed triangular air cleaner atop three 2-barrel Holley carburetors. In addition to its special COPO paint and trim and potent new L71 power plant, the car incorporated a Muncie M21 close ratio 4-speed transmission, 4-wheel power disc brakes, side exhaust, headrests, Rally wheels on Redline tires and rare radio delete, that last feature contributing to the cockpit's clean overall presentation.
1967 is considered to be the pinnacle year for early Corvette production and Tri-Power 435 HP Convertibles are on every aficionado's wish list. This example is the only known 1967 Tri-Power 435 HP Corvette born in the color combination of Silver Pearl with Red interior and offers collectors the ultimate opportunity to secure a COPO Corvette in a class of its own.
Highlights:
- The 1967 New York Auto Show Tri-Power display car
- COPO paint and trim: Silver Pearl with Red leather
- In 1967, Silver/Red was not available to the public
- This is the only known 1967 Silver/Red 427/435 HP Corvette
- 1 of 5 known 1967 COPO Corvettes in Silver/Red
- Official production date of March 14, 1967
- GM shipping data records show this car delivered to the New York zone office under Dealer Code 0 less than 2 weeks before the 1967 New York Auto Show held April 1-9, 1967
- L71 427/435 HP engine
- M21 4-speed transmission
- Power 4-wheel disc brakes
- Side exhaust, headrest seats
- Rally wheels, Redline tires
- Cars that were delivered to Chevrolet zone offices were typically used for special demonstration purposes
- In 1967, the only way Chevrolet produced a Silver/Red Corvette was through a Central Office Production Order
Photos, descriptions and other information for the lot depicted on this page are provided by the consigner to Mecum Auction and have not been verified by Mecum Auction.