A 2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro equipped with the most powerful naturally aspirated engine General Motors has ever built is headed to auction, offering bidders a chance to secure one of the rarest factory drag cars of the modern era. The car, listed as chassis No. 62 of just 69 produced for the model year, will be featured as Lot T347 when it crosses the block at Mecum Kissimmee 2026 on January 15.
The COPO program, revived in recent years to celebrate Chevrolet’s performance heritage, continues to push boundaries even as the broader auto industry moves toward electrification and downsized engines. Instead of following that shift, Chevrolet engineered a purpose-built race car centered around the ZZ632 V8, a 10.35-liter big-block delivering 1,004 horsepower and 876 pound-feet of torque. The engine’s output comes without the aid of turbocharging or supercharging, relying entirely on displacement and airflow.
The drivetrain pairs the massive V8 with an ATI TH400 three-speed automatic, sending power to a specially prepared solid rear axle designed to handle the stresses of track launches. With the capability of running single-digit quarter-mile times straight from the factory, the car includes mandatory safety equipment such as a full roll cage and a wheelie bar. A lightweight carbon-fiber hood and Summit White exterior complete the race-ready package, accented by a factory flag graphic signaling its COPO identity.
This version of the COPO retains the rebellious spirit of the original 1969 cars, which were quietly ordered through a fleet-vehicle loophole to bypass engine-size restrictions. Like its predecessors, the modern COPO is sold exclusively for competition use. It carries no VIN and cannot be registered for road driving, reinforcing its role as a dedicated track machine.
For collectors and racers, the Kissimmee auction sets the stage for a rare opportunity to acquire a factory-built drag car that stands apart from current automotive trends. The 2023 COPO Camaro makes a case for the enduring appeal of the big-block era, even as most performance programs head in a different direction.
Shawn Henry