copo trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mark 68 · 12-14-2008, 04:06 AM

Curious if anybody has heard of a 427 copo truck. i seen something about one in a auto museum. if not did they ever offer a performance motor package, maybe a Baldwin Motion or a Yenko?

PanelDeland · 12-14-2008, 09:23 AM

396 and 402 were the factory BB in this era of trucks.I never heard of a COPO for that.The COPO was actually a system set up for fleet orders and such that the dealerships figured a way to use to build performance cars.I'm not saying it didn't happen ,I just think that trucks of the day were mostly used for work and just gradually becoming the luxury loaded rides that are on the lot now.

tcb-1 · 12-14-2008, 10:01 AM

however, panel is forgetting the ever elusive "Corvette Option".......

**Boog** · 12-14-2008, 10:12 AM

ahhh the "corvette option". It was tri power too as I remember..

LONGHAIR · 12-14-2008, 10:40 AM

I am sure that there are literally thousands of COPO trucks. Every state's maintenence department, national park service, large police forces, etc. all order their fleet trucks with the ability to get options or deletions that are not available to the general public. Even Coca-cola is big enough to get special orders.
Back-in-the-day, trucks were not "high performance" vehicles, even the ones with bigger displacement engines. They have slowly evolved into the "car with no trunk lid" that we call a truck today. They have gotten smoother riding, better handling, more comfortable inside to start...then came bigger cabs and shrinking beds. Today a 4-door (seats 6) pick-up truck? can have a bed as little as 4 feet long....Is that a truck? or a car with a big trunk and no lid...Oh, you can get that too.

/rant

Longhorn Man · 12-14-2008, 10:22 AM

there were COPO trucks, but as pointed out, they weren't hot rods.
That one in the museum.. no one has any info what so ever, other than a photo. There'ds no engine pics, no history, no nothing. And if you look at it, there's enough oddities to make you seriously wonder if it is real.

boneyardratz · 12-14-2008, 10:50 AM

in 1967 they made a SS truck for big show in Detroit Mi it was showen with a 1967 Camro painted the same coler wwith the SS stripe like on the Camro I'll do more research to find pics. I use to have some but house fire took all that thanks Tim

PT'S 70 CST · 12-14-2008, 10:52 AM

I would also think not but have been wrong before. You would think with all of the truck nuts on the board and me for one who has a stack of hot rod and super chevy mags to make a house out of would have heard or seen this before. I have watched all of the classic car shows on speed and spike and they from time to time have a special on COPO (Central office production order) and have never mentioned a truck. I would like to see the pic that yall are refering to.

PT

66skylarkpost · 12-14-2008, 11:00 AM

my '72 was originaly a u.s. forestry truck on the spid is "special processing"

brad_man_72 · 12-14-2008, 11:02 AM

couple of days ago i saw a 68 chevelle wagon yenko z06

Longhorn Man · 12-14-2008, 11:06 AM

that 67 wasn't a copo... it was a one off custom, and is the subjact of quite a few threads on this board over the years.
I honestly think only about 1/2 of the people here, or even in the hoby, has a good grasp of what the COPO program actually was/is.

boneyardratz · 12-16-2008, 11:32 AM

I Never Said It Was I stated that the made the Truck!!! I will go out and work on mine while you sit and look at this You Have why to much time on your hands. I got a e-mail and just thought I would reply Like I said I build ALL MY TRUCKS NOT A BODY SHOP thanks Tim

whatnow123 · 12-14-2008, 11:43 AM

I'm actually kind of surprised no one really "hot rodded" these when they were new. Order a big block, auto and posi rear end, tweek the engine a bit and you have a cheap hotrod that could run with most of the Muscle being sold at the time.

**special-K** · 12-15-2008, 08:59 AM

As far as that COPO truck in a museum goes,it`s not documented.Rarity must be documented to hold any water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnow123

I'm actually kind of surprised no one really "hot rodded" these when they were new. Order a big block, auto and posi rear end, tweek the engine a bit and you have a cheap hotrod that could run with most of the Muscle being sold at the time.

These trucks "have" been hot rodded since day one.And trucks were hot rodded way before`67,too.I bought a big block`72 shortbed in`73 with posi.The first thing we did back then was slap a cam,headers,manifold/carb,hot ignition,and shift-kit on them.
And,trucks were used as more than work trucks.That`s why there`s coild suspension for a better ride and about every option offered today available back then.If the mentality was trucks only as work horses,why would someone wnt a houndstooth seat,woodgrain trim,tilt wheel (most cars didn`t have that back then),a tape player,and a/c?A/C became a standard.But,back then it wasn`t so,even in cars.How about whitewall tires and full wheelcovers?They are car items on a truck.

Andy4639 · 12-15-2008, 03:47 PM

The Talladega truck isn't a COPO truck the article says so if you read it. The truck motor was built by Lee Hurley, so it not a copo just from the fact he built the motor. As stated anyone can build a factory truck, thats why you see so many short wheel based trucks with tachs. I would say not even half of the factory trucks had them... peroid, why would a farmer have a tach in the dash to begin with think about it. As stated before my dad got a new company truck every 3000 miles and I don't recall any of them having a tach.
Unless you can prove the build sheet and I mean with documantaion I really doubt most trucks are factory what they say they are. I don't mean just showing a glove box sticker or the build sheet either. I want GM proof.

Gray Ghost · 12-15-2008, 04:00 PM

You know it's funny...I never liked much from the factory when it came to trucks and even with most cars. There are a very few really cool factory rides. I never understood the folks who have to have everything as it came. I didn't think they did all that great a job on them to begin with and believe that ANY truck or car can be improved on.

Keeping a truck all stock is kinda like entering a car show and sitting behind your car all day rolling your eyes at the comments and questions....why bother? I prefer to drive the vehicle and I like it equipped my way for the most part.

All that said, it would have been neat to see a copo truck that had big ones under the hood like a 427 and a special designation.

And yeah, as long as there are fools in the world there will be many who prey on them with 'rare'/'factory' ads on ebay, Craigslist, etc.

And while I'm at it, that truck is damn cool whether it's factory or not. If it really does have a 427 in it, that's even better!!

Andy4639 · 12-15-2008, 04:49 PM

Gray Ghost,
I agree the truck is cool but I don't like the people trying to make it out as a rare truck. Yes I beleive it's got the track speed for a truck but it was because they built the truck not Chevy. All in all it's a great truck and it's cool a model of our trucks hold's that record.
I would like to know more details of it but haven't been able to find any.

Rack Man · 12-15-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

You know it's funny...I never liked much from the factory when it came to trucks and even with most cars. There are a very few really cool factory rides. I never understood the folks who have to have everything as it came. I didn't think they did all that great a job on them to begin with and believe that ANY truck or car can be improved on.

Keeping a truck all stock is kinda like entering a car show and sitting behind your car all day rolling your eyes at the comments and questions....why bother? I prefer to drive the vehicle and I like it equipped my way for the most part.

All that said, it would have been neat to see a copo truck that had big ones under the hood like a 427 and a special designation.

And yeah, as long as there are fools in the world there will be many who prey on them with 'rare'/'factory' ads on ebay, Craigslist, etc.

And while I'm at it, that truck is damn cool whether it's factory or not. If it really does have a 427 in it, that's even better!!

You'd hate my build then....LOL

I personnally love them all...I spend an equal amount of time at car shows checking out highly modded cars as I do bone stock cars....I've done my share of mods....(mostly to Camaro's)...but I'm a bit of a purist at heart and love to see highly detailed stock builds....I guess that's why they offer chocolate, vanilla & strawberry ice cream!!

JMO, Dan

factorystock · 12-15-2008, 10:55 PM

[QUOTE=Gray Ghost;3029044]You know it's funny...I never liked much from the factory when it came to trucks and even with most cars. There are a very few really cool factory rides. I never understood the folks who have to have everything as it came. I didn't think they did all that great a job on them to begin with and believe that ANY truck or car can be improved on.

For the purist, it has alot to do with historical significance.We want to learn the way they were and like to see them the way they were.Its kind of like a historical piece or building, there are many who want to see it perserved the way it was in its heyday.We can document original work, but there is no way to document a custom creation.

**WIDESIDE72** · 12-15-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

, why would a farmer have a tach in the dash to begin with think about it.

I will agree that there are a lot of trucks around with tachs in them that did not have them from the factory. BUT I have personally pulled tach dashes out of a lot of "farm" trucks in Texas. They were C-60 trucks used to haul grain. Got a few out of dump trucks too.

72armyswbtruck · 12-15-2008, 08:44 PM

Not really cheap.
More like in the 5K range for 72.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnow123

I'm actually kind of surprised no one really "hot rodded" these when they were new. Order a big block, auto and posi rear end, tweek the engine a bit and you have a cheap hotrod that could run with most of the Muscle being sold at the time.

Longhorn Man · 12-14-2008, 11:51 AM

there were some.... I recently saw in an older magazine... hot rod maybe... where they hopped one up back in the day.
But you are right, they were far and few between.
Trucks were work vehicles back then, they made up a VERY small market share back then.

tcb-1 · 12-14-2008, 12:59 PM

it was the car mentality then. how much horsepower per pound. why spend the money factory ordering a truck (read heavy and still being used as trucks, as Andy said) when the hot ticket was, for instance, a big block stuffed in a comfortable Chevelle format?

horsepower was cheap. ahhhh, those were the days......

try ordering a truck or car the way you want it now. "if you order this engine, you have to order this transmission". wish I was around when you could still order a car to your liking........ but I digress.

manimal · 12-14-2008, 01:13 PM

There is a guy in Barstow that tried to sell me a '69 shortbed fleetside that 'came factory' with a 427 and a Muncie M22 4spd!! I just looked at him and left. Some people will do/say anything to make a buck.
-Lance

Longhorn Man · 12-14-2008, 04:17 PM

If you had the choice between a well equipped small block truck, for 4500 bucks, or a well equipped chevelle/nova/camaro... you wouldn't even look at the truck. They were actually kinda expensive back in the day.

12-14-2008, 04:06 AM	#1
mark 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: texas Posts: 84	copo trucks Curious if anybody has heard of a 427 copo truck. i seen something about one in a auto museum. if not did they ever offer a performance motor package, maybe a Baldwin Motion or a Yenko?

12-14-2008, 09:23 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: copo trucks 396 and 402 were the factory BB in this era of trucks.I never heard of a COPO for that.The COPO was actually a system set up for fleet orders and such that the dealerships figured a way to use to build performance cars.I'm not saying it didn't happen ,I just think that trucks of the day were mostly used for work and just gradually becoming the luxury loaded rides that are on the lot now. __________________ 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"

12-14-2008, 10:01 AM	#3
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: copo trucks however, panel is forgetting the ever elusive "Corvette Option"....... __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

12-14-2008, 10:12 AM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,386	Re: copo trucks ahhh the "corvette option". It was tri power too as I remember.. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

12-14-2008, 10:40 AM	#5
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: copo trucks I am sure that there are literally thousands of COPO trucks. Every state's maintenence department, national park service, large police forces, etc. all order their fleet trucks with the ability to get options or deletions that are not available to the general public. Even Coca-cola is big enough to get special orders. Back-in-the-day, trucks were not "high performance" vehicles, even the ones with bigger displacement engines. They have slowly evolved into the "car with no trunk lid" that we call a truck today. They have gotten smoother riding, better handling, more comfortable inside to start...then came bigger cabs and shrinking beds. Today a 4-door (seats 6) pick-up truck? can have a bed as little as 4 feet long....Is that a truck? or a car with a big trunk and no lid...Oh, you can get that too. /rant

12-14-2008, 10:22 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: copo trucks there were COPO trucks, but as pointed out, they weren't hot rods. That one in the museum.. no one has any info what so ever, other than a photo. There'ds no engine pics, no history, no nothing. And if you look at it, there's enough oddities to make you seriously wonder if it is real.

12-14-2008, 10:50 AM	#7
boneyardratz Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: cartersville ga Posts: 15	Re: copo trucks in 1967 they made a SS truck for big show in Detroit Mi it was showen with a 1967 Camro painted the same coler wwith the SS stripe like on the Camro I'll do more research to find pics. I use to have some but house fire took all that thanks Tim

12-14-2008, 10:52 AM	#8
PT'S 70 CST "GO DAWGS" Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Batesburg, SC. 29006 Posts: 5,410	Re: copo trucks I would also think not but have been wrong before. You would think with all of the truck nuts on the board and me for one who has a stack of hot rod and super chevy mags to make a house out of would have heard or seen this before. I have watched all of the classic car shows on speed and spike and they from time to time have a special on COPO (Central office production order) and have never mentioned a truck. I would like to see the pic that yall are refering to. PT __________________ 70 CST SWB 70 NOVA 93 Indy 500 Pace Truck (SOLD) 94 SILVERADO SWB 5/7 drop 2000 Silverado swb 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 (Surprisingly very fast) 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali BATESBURG, SC. 29006 29006 Some of my restorations http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/thu...NAME=snapfish/ Restored Tach tins 8 cyl - 6 cyl http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518185 Contact info(Not my paypal address) DAWGSFAN227@YAHOO.COM God Bless Our Troops

12-14-2008, 11:00 AM	#9
66skylarkpost Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kearney,nebraska Posts: 443	Re: copo trucks my '72 was originaly a u.s. forestry truck on the spid is "special processing" Attached Images __________________ '70 k-10 longbox- mid 70's drivetrain 350/350 487x heads 10.1:1 flowmasters ,35's 3.73's auburn posi ,rear shackle flip. '72 short stepside U.S. forestry truck, '73 455 buick,400 turbo,dropped 2"-4 1/4" ,3.07 posi,:'89 silverado 1500 ,OK truck ,5.7 holley tbi ,trick 700r4 3.07 auburn posi ,and my '66 skylark ,'73 centurion and my '84 monte carlo imca stock car

12-14-2008, 11:02 AM	#10
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: copo trucks couple of days ago i saw a 68 chevelle wagon yenko z06 __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

12-14-2008, 11:06 AM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: copo trucks that 67 wasn't a copo... it was a one off custom, and is the subjact of quite a few threads on this board over the years. I honestly think only about 1/2 of the people here, or even in the hoby, has a good grasp of what the COPO program actually was/is.

12-16-2008, 11:32 AM	#12
boneyardratz Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: cartersville ga Posts: 15	Re: copo trucks I Never Said It Was I stated that the made the Truck!!! I will go out and work on mine while you sit and look at this You Have why to much time on your hands. I got a e-mail and just thought I would reply Like I said I build ALL MY TRUCKS NOT A BODY SHOP thanks Tim

12-14-2008, 11:43 AM	#13
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	Re: copo trucks I'm actually kind of surprised no one really "hot rodded" these when they were new. Order a big block, auto and posi rear end, tweek the engine a bit and you have a cheap hotrod that could run with most of the Muscle being sold at the time. __________________ 67 Short Step, 355, 700R 4.11 posi rear, 4/6 drop Discs on all 4 corners. Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219094

12-15-2008, 03:47 PM	#15
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: copo trucks The Talladega truck isn't a COPO truck the article says so if you read it. The truck motor was built by Lee Hurley, so it not a copo just from the fact he built the motor. As stated anyone can build a factory truck, thats why you see so many short wheel based trucks with tachs. I would say not even half of the factory trucks had them... peroid, why would a farmer have a tach in the dash to begin with think about it. As stated before my dad got a new company truck every 3000 miles and I don't recall any of them having a tach. Unless you can prove the build sheet and I mean with documantaion I really doubt most trucks are factory what they say they are. I don't mean just showing a glove box sticker or the build sheet either. I want GM proof. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-15-2008, 04:00 PM	#16
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: copo trucks You know it's funny...I never liked much from the factory when it came to trucks and even with most cars. There are a very few really cool factory rides. I never understood the folks who have to have everything as it came. I didn't think they did all that great a job on them to begin with and believe that ANY truck or car can be improved on. Keeping a truck all stock is kinda like entering a car show and sitting behind your car all day rolling your eyes at the comments and questions....why bother? I prefer to drive the vehicle and I like it equipped my way for the most part. All that said, it would have been neat to see a copo truck that had big ones under the hood like a 427 and a special designation. And yeah, as long as there are fools in the world there will be many who prey on them with 'rare'/'factory' ads on ebay, Craigslist, etc. And while I'm at it, that truck is damn cool whether it's factory or not. If it really does have a 427 in it, that's even better!! __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. Last edited by Gray Ghost; 12-15-2008 at 04:00 PM.



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12-15-2008, 04:49 PM	#17
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: copo trucks Gray Ghost, I agree the truck is cool but I don't like the people trying to make it out as a rare truck. Yes I beleive it's got the track speed for a truck but it was because they built the truck not Chevy. All in all it's a great truck and it's cool a model of our trucks hold's that record. I would like to know more details of it but haven't been able to find any. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-15-2008, 10:55 PM	#19
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,377	Re: copo trucks [QUOTE=Gray Ghost;3029044]You know it's funny...I never liked much from the factory when it came to trucks and even with most cars. There are a very few really cool factory rides. I never understood the folks who have to have everything as it came. I didn't think they did all that great a job on them to begin with and believe that ANY truck or car can be improved on. For the purist, it has alot to do with historical significance.We want to learn the way they were and like to see them the way they were.Its kind of like a historical piece or building, there are many who want to see it perserved the way it was in its heyday.We can document original work, but there is no way to document a custom creation.

12-14-2008, 11:51 AM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: copo trucks there were some.... I recently saw in an older magazine... hot rod maybe... where they hopped one up back in the day. But you are right, they were far and few between. Trucks were work vehicles back then, they made up a VERY small market share back then.

12-14-2008, 12:59 PM	#23
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: copo trucks it was the car mentality then. how much horsepower per pound. why spend the money factory ordering a truck (read heavy and still being used as trucks, as Andy said) when the hot ticket was, for instance, a big block stuffed in a comfortable Chevelle format? horsepower was cheap. ahhhh, those were the days...... try ordering a truck or car the way you want it now. "if you order this engine, you have to order this transmission". wish I was around when you could still order a car to your liking........ but I digress. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 12-14-2008 at 01:00 PM.

12-14-2008, 01:13 PM	#24
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: copo trucks There is a guy in Barstow that tried to sell me a '69 shortbed fleetside that 'came factory' with a 427 and a Muncie M22 4spd!! I just looked at him and left. Some people will do/say anything to make a buck. -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-14-2008, 04:17 PM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: copo trucks If you had the choice between a well equipped small block truck, for 4500 bucks, or a well equipped chevelle/nova/camaro... you wouldn't even look at the truck. They were actually kinda expensive back in the day.

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