Nascar Team Owner Rick Hendrick Builds His Own Camaro Engine

ChevroletChevroletUnited States of America, 1911 > present82 models
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is currently building special, racing-only COPO CamarosChevrolet Camaro Gen.5United States of America, 2009 > present48 versions
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with either a naturally aspirated 427 cubic inch (7.0 liter) V8 or a supercharged 327 cubic inch (5.3 liter) V8. The cars are meant for National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing, and the name harkens back to the special order GMGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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products of the 60s. One special part about this program is that buyers have the option of coming to GM's Performance Build Center and putting the engine for their car together themselves. One of the first people to take advantage of this program on the COPO Camaro is NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick. 

“Building an engine is a time-honored tradition in hot rodding, and this program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a GM Powertrain-engineered and factory-warrantied engine. For hands-on hot rodders, these programs truly enable them to say they did it all when it came to building their project. There’s nothing else like it in the industry," said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. 

Chevrolet is building just 69 COPO Camaros this year in recognition that just 69 of the original carsChevrolet Camaro Gen.1United States of America, 1967 > 196911 versions
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were built in 1969. The cars are eligible for the NHRA Street Eliminator and Super Stock classes, and Chevy says that will run the quarter mile in around 9 seconds. That makes the COPO the fastest Camaros ever offered by the factory. 

Hendrick was at the performance center in 2011 to build the engine for his CorvetteChevrolet Corvette Gen.6United States of America, 2004 > present56 versions
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as well. Chevrolet has a third program for buyers who want to build the crate engine for their custom hot rod. 

“Last year’s Corvette engine build was such a memorable experience that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do it again with a COPO Camaro. As a Chevy enthusiast and collector, it’s a real privilege to do something like this,” said Hendrick.

Chevy Building 69 COPO Camaros as Factory Drag Racers

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