Anyone Heard Of A COPO Truck (67-72)? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69 Short Fleet · 09-09-2004, 06:28 AM

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of our trucks being a "Central Office Production Order". Were all COPO's strictly dedicated to cars? Doug

Blazer1970 · 09-09-2004, 06:55 AM

Some military and fleet trucks were COPO.

chevy_fatman · 09-09-2004, 07:08 AM

There was a copo truck on ebay earlier this week, I'll see if I can find it later.

Blue Beard · 09-09-2004, 07:49 AM

Never heard of it for cars or trucks..

What would be special or different about them?

pickup nut · 09-09-2004, 09:37 AM

Wouldn't that be cool .All alum. front end. Alum.door skins .Alum. 427

ChevyDude · 09-09-2004, 10:25 AM

COPO vehicles were special ordered by GM corporate employees (big wigs). So if they wanted their truck with a DZ302 Z28 engine or any other option or configuration...it was ordered that way.

cdowns · 09-09-2004, 10:39 AM

i saw one in the talledaga museaum it was a 427

Joe67 · 09-09-2004, 10:41 AM

COPO cars are like the 1969 427 Camaros (very rare) as well as Nova, Chevelles, etc in the late sixties. I've never heard of or seen a COPO truck before?

Getting things like DZ302 motors in non Z28 cars weren't exactly COPO, they were more of a behind the scenes type of thing and weren't usually documented at all.

Here is some history on COPO Camaros:
http://www.holisticpage.com/camaro/camaros/copo.htm

longhorn71 · 09-09-2004, 07:23 PM

I think i have. one its a 1971 half ton in the glove door its custom ordered for CNR [CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD] FACTORY painted with CNR orange [not hugger orange] ordered as a cab and chassis with coil springs.GM of canada say only 3\4 tons
and larger could only be cab and chassis with leaf springs. no radio, heavy duty alt front tow hooks that is all the options in it

**Canadian694x4** · 09-09-2004, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn71

I think i have. one its a 1971 half ton in the glove door its custom ordered for CNR [CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD] FACTORY painted with CNR orange [not hugger orange] ordered as a cab and chassis with coil springs.GM of canada say only 3\4 tons
and larger could only be cab and chassis with leaf springs. no radio, heavy duty alt front tow hooks that is all the options in it

Man that sounds cool! Got any pics of your truck you can post? Would love to see that on the glovebox sheet too!

Longhorn Man · 09-09-2004, 07:59 PM

The3re were thousands of COPO trucks built.
COPO does not mean factory race car...or muscle car...the COPO program was designed to make the odd ball vehicles that say a taxi company would want, or police, or any other fleet. It can be as insignifican as the paint color, or paint color combinations...ect.
Some one posted a truck COPO option sheet about a year ago. It said COPO on it.

stllookn · 09-09-2004, 08:39 PM

Longhorn Man is correct...all fleet vehicles went through the COPO purchasing office. It was also THE corporate loop-hole for the performance vehicles.

PanelDeland · 09-09-2004, 08:45 PM

Central Office Production Order. Police and some emergency vehicles.For instance ambulances,tow trucks for large fleets.They did not necessarily have to be a large order but were usually something there was a demand for.As mentioned the only COPO muscle cars were just using the loophole in the system.

nate68 · 09-09-2004, 08:46 PM

someone should build a COPO car themed truck. kind of like a clone.

67shortie · 09-10-2004, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate68

someone should build a COPO car themed truck. kind of like a clone.

I agree, a 68 short fleet, 427/425 hore engine a M22 rock crusher 4 speed and a 4:11 rear posi. Dog dish caps, and front sway bar, way to cool.

ChevLoRay · 09-10-2004, 09:26 PM

When I was in VietNam, I was assigned the responsibility of maintaining our chase vehicle....a '68 El Camino SS396. It was a 350-horse/Automatic, painted USAF Blue, with a white top. It had the normal SS trim, with a bench seat, small caps on steel wheels, black Firestone Wide Ovals. If I had known then, what I know now, I'd have gotten a rubbing of the data plate on the cowl. Based on what y'all are saying, it was probably a COPO vehicle. Seems there were three of them, in all. We used it as a chase vehicle for the U-2. Now, they use Camaro's.

The only pix I have are in B&W.

**68 Stepside** · 09-10-2004, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

The only pix I have are in B&W.

Pics are pics...you should scan and post them!!! Sounds like those elkys were cool rides....

**Canadian694x4** · 09-10-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 Stepside

Pics are pics...you should scan and post them!!! Sounds like those elkys were cool rides....

I Concur...

69 Short Fleet · 09-10-2004, 12:39 AM

Thanks

Longhorn Man · 09-10-2004, 11:59 PM

I wanna see the pics too.

*dtlilly* · 09-11-2004, 12:53 AM

I want to buy one of those

*FormerMember* · 09-13-2004, 11:32 AM

I have a COPO 70 Chevy C20.

Was built for the Town of San Jose, CA.

Basically, stripped, no options, 307 with Th350 and a Eaton rear end.

Longhorn Man · 09-13-2004, 02:19 PM

grendel, what was the odd ball feature on your rig? Was it the paint, or something else?

*FormerMember* · 09-13-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

grendel, what was the odd ball feature on your rig? Was it the paint, or something else?

Paint (white with white vinyl seat) and all options delete. It has a seat and windows. I think they were lucky to get those!

San Jose ordered 125 of them, all the same. I bought mine from the 2nd owner who bought it from the City in 2002. They are still running them!

Aubigmac · 09-13-2004, 03:24 PM

I have a 72 Custom 10 COPO 2wd.

It was bought by the City of Decatur, AL.

Originally was white with white bumpers & grill.

Came with Bucket Seats, AC, SM 465 4 speed with Granny, and a factory Hand throttle.

Apparantly they ordered it this way and used it as a "Sniffer Truck".

Took out the console and put in a meeter that was hooked to a boom off the side of the bed. They then used it to putt down the side of the road and look for Gas leaks. Hence the granny gear & hand throttle.

Truck only had 54,000 miles on it when I bought it. Wish I'd have know that that was the original miles then. (Didn't find that out till later)

09-09-2004, 06:28 AM	#1
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Anyone Heard Of A COPO Truck (67-72)? I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of our trucks being a "Central Office Production Order". Were all COPO's strictly dedicated to cars? Doug

09-09-2004, 06:55 AM	#2
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Some military and fleet trucks were COPO. __________________ Tim

09-09-2004, 07:08 AM	#3
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	There was a copo truck on ebay earlier this week, I'll see if I can find it later. __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

09-09-2004, 07:49 AM	#4
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Never heard of it for cars or trucks.. What would be special or different about them? __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

09-09-2004, 10:25 AM	#6
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	COPO vehicles were special ordered by GM corporate employees (big wigs). So if they wanted their truck with a DZ302 Z28 engine or any other option or configuration...it was ordered that way. __________________ Alex 1971 Lil' Red 350 SBC 700R4

09-09-2004, 09:37 AM	#5
pickup nut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Danville Va. Posts: 14	Wouldn't that be cool .All alum. front end. Alum.door skins .Alum. 427

09-09-2004, 10:39 AM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i saw one in the talledaga museaum it was a 427 __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-09-2004, 10:41 AM	#8
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	COPO cars are like the 1969 427 Camaros (very rare) as well as Nova, Chevelles, etc in the late sixties. I've never heard of or seen a COPO truck before? Getting things like DZ302 motors in non Z28 cars weren't exactly COPO, they were more of a behind the scenes type of thing and weren't usually documented at all. Here is some history on COPO Camaros: http://www.holisticpage.com/camaro/camaros/copo.htm __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

09-09-2004, 07:23 PM	#9
longhorn71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CANADA Posts: 1,681	I think i have. one its a 1971 half ton in the glove door its custom ordered for CNR [CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD] FACTORY painted with CNR orange [not hugger orange] ordered as a cab and chassis with coil springs.GM of canada say only 3\4 tons and larger could only be cab and chassis with leaf springs. no radio, heavy duty alt front tow hooks that is all the options in it

09-09-2004, 07:59 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The3re were thousands of COPO trucks built. COPO does not mean factory race car...or muscle car...the COPO program was designed to make the odd ball vehicles that say a taxi company would want, or police, or any other fleet. It can be as insignifican as the paint color, or paint color combinations...ect. Some one posted a truck COPO option sheet about a year ago. It said COPO on it.

09-09-2004, 08:39 PM	#12
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Longhorn Man is correct...all fleet vehicles went through the COPO purchasing office. It was also THE corporate loop-hole for the performance vehicles. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

09-09-2004, 08:45 PM	#13
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Central Office Production Order. Police and some emergency vehicles.For instance ambulances,tow trucks for large fleets.They did not necessarily have to be a large order but were usually something there was a demand for.As mentioned the only COPO muscle cars were just using the loophole in the system. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-09-2004, 08:46 PM	#14
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	someone should build a COPO car themed truck. kind of like a clone. __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.

09-10-2004, 09:26 PM	#16
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	When I was in VietNam, I was assigned the responsibility of maintaining our chase vehicle....a '68 El Camino SS396. It was a 350-horse/Automatic, painted USAF Blue, with a white top. It had the normal SS trim, with a bench seat, small caps on steel wheels, black Firestone Wide Ovals. If I had known then, what I know now, I'd have gotten a rubbing of the data plate on the cowl. Based on what y'all are saying, it was probably a COPO vehicle. Seems there were three of them, in all. We used it as a chase vehicle for the U-2. Now, they use Camaro's. The only pix I have are in B&W. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

09-10-2004, 12:39 AM	#19
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Thanks



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09-10-2004, 11:59 PM	#20
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I wanna see the pics too.

09-11-2004, 12:53 AM	#21
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	I want to buy one of those

09-13-2004, 11:32 AM	#22
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	I have a COPO 70 Chevy C20. Was built for the Town of San Jose, CA. Basically, stripped, no options, 307 with Th350 and a Eaton rear end.

09-13-2004, 02:19 PM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	grendel, what was the odd ball feature on your rig? Was it the paint, or something else?

09-13-2004, 03:24 PM	#25
Aubigmac Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 13	I have a 72 Custom 10 COPO 2wd. It was bought by the City of Decatur, AL. Originally was white with white bumpers & grill. Came with Bucket Seats, AC, SM 465 4 speed with Granny, and a factory Hand throttle. Apparantly they ordered it this way and used it as a "Sniffer Truck". Took out the console and put in a meeter that was hooked to a boom off the side of the bed. They then used it to putt down the side of the road and look for Gas leaks. Hence the granny gear & hand throttle. Truck only had 54,000 miles on it when I bought it. Wish I'd have know that that was the original miles then. (Didn't find that out till later) Last edited by Aubigmac; 09-13-2004 at 03:27 PM.

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