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1968 Chevrolet Camaro COPO
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1968 · Chevrolet Camaro COPO · for Tim Allen

COPO

The Build

A tribute COPO Camaro built for Tim Allen and featured on Hot Rod TV. Big-block power, race-car stance, street-car manners.

Bodie modernized Tim Allen's 1968 Chevrolet COPO Camaro without touching the factory look — LS7 crate motor, Detroit Speed suspension, and 14-inch Brembo brakes at all four corners hide underneath an untouched period exterior. It debuted at SEMA 2013 alongside a 1969 Dick Harrell 427 Camaro, then rolled into Jay Leno's Garage for its television feature.

  • Built for Tim Allen
  • Debuted at SEMA 2013 in the Classic Industries booth
  • Featured on Jay Leno's Garage
  • OEM appearance with modern LS7 power and Brembo brakes

Vehicle History

The COPO Camaro was born from a loophole: Chevrolet's Central Office Production Order system let dealers order 427 big-block engines the factory officially wouldn't install in a Camaro. These cars became some of the rarest and most valuable muscle cars ever built.

Known for: the factory "cheat code" that snuck a 427 big-block into a Camaro

Gallery

The finished COPO in the BSI shop
The finished COPO in the BSI shop
Tim Allen behind the wheel during filming
Tim Allen behind the wheel during filming
Tim Allen on camera with the Camaro
Tim Allen on camera with the Camaro
Tim Allen stepping out of the finished car
Tim Allen stepping out of the finished car
On set at Jay Leno's Garage
On set at Jay Leno's Garage
427 LS engine bay at SEMA
427 LS engine bay at SEMA
Smokey Yunick race car interior — the build inspiration
Smokey Yunick race car interior — the build inspiration
The black-and-gold Yunick tribute Camaro in the shop
The black-and-gold Yunick tribute Camaro in the shop
Bare-metal body on the rotisserie
Bare-metal body on the rotisserie
The finished COPO Camaro on camera
The finished COPO Camaro on camera
The Camaro before the build began
The Camaro before the build began
Steering wheel and dash with cup holders
Steering wheel and dash with cup holders
Cigarette lighter and key detail
Cigarette lighter and key detail
Five-speed shift knob detail
Five-speed shift knob detail
Black leather bucket seats
Black leather bucket seats
Cabin from the driver's door
Cabin from the driver's door
Camaro dash badge and chrome vent detail
Camaro dash badge and chrome vent detail
Steering wheel and full dash from the driver's seat
Steering wheel and full dash from the driver's seat
Pedal detail
Pedal detail
Vintage Air climate controls and retro radio
Vintage Air climate controls and retro radio
Rear bench seat
Rear bench seat
427 engine and intake detail
427 engine and intake detail
Finished COPO Camaro rear three-quarter
Finished COPO Camaro rear three-quarter
Front wheel and COPO fender badge
Front wheel and COPO fender badge
Rear wheel and quarter-panel detail
Rear wheel and quarter-panel detail
Driver-side mirror and bodywork detail
Driver-side mirror and bodywork detail
Front fender and headlamp detail
Front fender and headlamp detail
Finished Camaro front view
Finished Camaro front view
Finished COPO Camaro front three-quarter
Finished COPO Camaro front three-quarter
Finished Camaro side profile
Finished Camaro side profile
Chrome interior door handle detail
Chrome interior door handle detail
427 engine, headers, and intake detail
427 engine, headers, and intake detail

Build Process

Roof and quarter-panel metalwork in progress
Roof and quarter-panel metalwork in progress

As Seen On

Jay Leno's Garage

YouTube

Jay Leno's Garage

COPO

Bodie Stroud and Tim Allen show Jay Leno the Smokey Yunick-inspired 1968 COPO Camaro build.

Hot Rod TV

Speed Channel / MotorTrend

Hot Rod TV

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Designed & Built by

Alec Taylor

Simply Sherpa