Chevy's 2012 COPO Camaro. Image: © GM Corp.

In 1969, some enterprising Chevrolet dealers realized that the Camaro could be ordered with the 427 cubic-inch V-8 from the Corvette via a Central Office Production Order (COPO). These “COPO” Camaros soon became the stuff of legend, dominating in drag racing competition, both legal and illegal. Even the order code for the engine, ZL1, made its way into the history books (and onto the fenders of the now-fastest Camaro).

To take advantage of consumer interest in a purpose-built Camaro, Chevrolet will produce 69 COPO Camaros for 2012, starting at a base price of $89,000. The car’s are designed specifically for NHRA Stock Eliminator and Super Stock racing, and aren’t legal for street use. Instead, you get a Camaro stripped of all amenities and sound deadening, then fitted with two racing seats, a full chrome moly roll cage, a racing harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges.

Buyers can choose from three engine options, including a normally aspirated, 427 cubic inch (7.0-liter) V-8, a 327 cubic inch (5.3-liter) V-8 with a 2.9-liter blower or a 327 cubic inch (5.3-liter) V-8 with a 4.0-liter blower. There’s even a special collector’s package being offered, which gives you all three engines (with one installed in the car), serial-number-matched to the car.

All installed engines come mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission specifically designed for drag racing. Buyers can choose from five available colors, including Flat Black, Summit White, Victory Red, Silver Ice Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic. A COPO graphics package is also available, with striping in Metallic White, Semi-Gloss Black, Inferno Orange and Chevy Racing Blue.