One of Chevrolet’s most fearsome muscle cars from the golden era of horsepower will command attention in Houston next week as a rare 1969 COPO Camaro heads to the auction block at Mecum’s April 2025 sale.
Scheduled to cross the stage as Lot S197 on Saturday, April 5, this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is a true Central Office Production Order (COPO) model, built to fly under the radar with factory-installed big-block power originally reserved for higher-end Corvettes. This particular example is powered by the legendary L72 427-cubic-inch V-8 engine, conservatively rated at 425 horsepower, and paired with a M21 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission.
Built at Chevrolet’s Norwood, Ohio plant, the car was delivered new to Belmont Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Toronto, Ontario. What makes it even more distinctive is its seldom-seen Olympic Gold exterior paired with a Dark Green interior — a color combination rarely ordered and one that further elevates this Camaro’s appeal among collectors.
The drivetrain is backed by a 12-bolt Positraction rear axle with aggressive 4.10 gears, and additional factory performance upgrades include a ZL2 cowl induction hood, heavy-duty suspension, and power front disc brakes. Interior equipment features bucket seats, Astro Ventilation, and period-correct amenities such as a push-button radio and rear window defogger.
With just 42,930 miles on the odometer, this Camaro comes with extensive documentation including its original order sheet, Protect-O-Plate, GM of Canada paperwork, Fisher body control card, owner’s manual, and a reproduction window sticker — a rare completeness that affirms its provenance.
Only a limited number of L72-powered COPO Camaros were built in 1969, making this Olympic Gold example a standout in both rarity and condition. It will be offered during Mecum’s Houston 2025 auction as one of the marquee muscle cars of the event. See it here.
To see the full selection of cars selling at Mecum Houston on April 3-5, visit Mecum.com.