1969 GM 3963512 ENGINE 427 L72 REAL COPO MO | Ebay & other seen ads section | The Supercar Registry Bulletin Board

 

You are asking $50k?

 

Like my Grandpap always told me "you can't go up in price, but you can always go down". Doesn't seem that far out of line for a car that could fetch $250K...

 

Yep...like my pappy used to say "there's a sucker born every minute"> Absolute insanity!

 

Hi Justin, I live in York so we are close! In your research where did you pick up MO as a L72 as I'm familiar with the SBC 302 having a MO suffix in 67/68 and know the 427's used a lot of M and other letters like MQ but that was used for 67/68 L78 motors. MD possibly? You sure it reads MO? Or maybe I'm learning something here with the MO code. LOL

 

I can't remember exactly where, but before I replied, I did a quick google search of "COPO MO suffix". It's posted on a bunch of sites.

 

MO is correct suffix for L72 TH400 COPO 9561

 

The ebay listing specifies (in the title) Yenko, Nickey, Baldwin... but I'm curious. It's my understanding that Chevrolet would only have stamped a VIN on the block IF the engine was installed at the assembly plant? Correct?

If my old memory is still halfway working, my understanding of the Baldwin/Motion, Nickey, etc cars, the 427 engines (and other mods) were installed in the dealerships (removing the factory engines for resale by the dealership). In this instance, would the VIN for the car be stamped on the engine? Would the application code (MO?) be stamped onto the engine in these dealer modified cars? I guess my question is: "If the VIn and app code is stamped into the engine, wouldn't this make this engine a factory installed engine, and thus was installed in the factory into a 'true' COPO Camaro?" ie.. and NOT a Yenko, Nickey, Baldwin engine installed in one of their dealer modified cars...

 

The ebay listing specifies (in the title) Yenko, Nickey, Baldwin... but I'm curious. It's my understanding that Chevrolet would only have stamped a VIN on the block IF the engine was installed at the assembly plant? Correct?

If my old memory is still halfway working, my understanding of the Baldwin/Motion, Nickey, etc cars, the 427 engines (and other mods) were installed in the dealerships (removing the factory engines for resale by the dealership). In this instance, would the VIN for the car be stamped on the engine? Would the application code (MO?) be stamped onto the engine in these dealer modified cars? I guess my question is: "If the VIn and app code is stamped into the engine, wouldn't this make this engine a factory installed engine, and thus was installed in the factory into a 'true' COPO Camaro?" ie.. and NOT a Yenko, Nickey, Baldwin engine installed in one of their dealer modified cars...

Dealer Install Engine used CE Crate Engines.

 

Could be a Yenko, as I believe Yenko's came with 427 factory installed. Yenko did their thing from that point on.

 

Its not from a Yenko.
There is one 9561 that has one VIN Before this in the registry 124379N637392 Sport Chev MD

 

First step should be to verify they are original stamps and not restamps. If that all checks out, post all pertinent info here if you would: 1969 - Orphans

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't COPO's and ZL1's factory ordered cars with factory installed 427's, where as Yenko, Nickey, Berger, etc. were dealers who installed and replaced engines on their own at the their dealerships?

 

COPO cars came Dec Jan 68-69 before that was 427 Camaros Dealer Install.
And there were other Dealers who did Dealer install 427 cars.
Yenko Baldwin Motion Berger Nickey was only the most famous
If you wanted a Camaro L88 for instance, you could get it but it cost extra.
Yenko created COPO 9561 9562 9737, when COPO 427 became known among dealers as also began ordering COPO 427 cars.
Baldwin Motion continued to make 427 install.
His niche was to sell the SS 427 cars. The Fantasic Five SS427.
So according to Joel Rosen he dident sell any COPO 427.

 

IMHO without the car the engine came in It's just another 512 bare block. I picked one up for a couple years ago.

I had it bored .30 over Has the GM 6223 crank, dimple rods and new Speedpro forged pistons all balanced and assembled.

Been trying to get $3500 for it local with no luck.

 

Agree! The other thing is COPO's are not bringing 1/4 million dollars. John, doesn't it seem this whole topic should be in classifieds as its never really been what's it worth but an "for sale advertisement." I did learn about the MO designation though.... :grin2:

 

I would like everyone to remember that I posted this in order to find the original owner (just the same as the eBay ad) and to find out some sort of value. The price I listed it at was solely to make people talk about it. I realize that 50K is a lot, but there is always the chance that the purist who owns the car would pay that much...who knows??!! My initial goal was to draw attention...my ultimate goal is to sell it. Somehow, I've caused controversy on where it should be posted, but it all comes back to the category I chose "what's it worth". For those paying attention, there is a little button beside the 50K price...it says "make offer". Can we please stay focused, and find the car??!!

 

I think what we are discussing is.. Exactly WHAT is this engine and what is it from... which is very important to determination of value.

 

 

Looks like the real deal...hope you find the car !!

1969 GM 3963512 ENGINE 427 L72 REAL COPO CAMARO 9561 YENKO NICKEY BALDWIN TH400 | eBay

..and thanks to Nikke. Looks like he's got it posted where it needs to be.:thumbsup:

 

So it is known that it is not a Yenko because it is not on the Yenko VIN list? Is the list for the Yenko's a complete one? I've read that it is not certain how many Yenko's were built, but that the number is an approximation?

 

Converted 2 bolt block?

 

One of mine 4 Bolts Blocks.

 

I was contacted by Mark Bulaw today. He is not convinced that this is the real deal...the casting date doesn't seem to line up with the short distributor tower. Anyone want to chime in?

 

I have to agree with Mark...always thought the 69 versions of the 512 had the high boss cast for the dizzy tower as shown in this photo. It then went to the shortened version in the 70's, not sure when...like the one in the other photo.

 

And I was excited and hoped that a Happy COPO owners would get his Block back :frown2:

 

Nikke nailed it. Converted two bolt block. Probably started life as a 454 (bottoms of cyl notched for the longer stroke) with L casting date, converted to an I.
Restamped. Since this is "what's it worth?" I will add my two cents.

Good foundation for a hot rod engine and should bring around $1,000. Hopefully someone grinds off the partial vin and the restamp so it doesn't get passed off as the real thing to an unsuspecting buyer down the road.

 

If it sounds too good to be true.......it usually is.