Berger Chevrolet
COPO 9561 L72 427 Camaro

Why it matters

COPO 9561 was the factory route to a 427-cubic-inch Camaro in 1969. General Motors did not allow engines above 400 cubic inches in the F-body, so dealers used the Central Office Production Order system, normally meant for fleet orders, to get a 425 hp L72 big block installed on the line. The cars were built for drag racing and were quick enough to reclaim Chevrolet's standing in Super Stock racing.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Dealers such as Don Yenko and Fred Gibbs had been fitting 427s to Camaros themselves. Chevrolet responded by offering the engine through the COPO process, with two COPO numbers available in the 1969 model year. COPO 9561 cost 489.75 dollars, and listed for around 130 dollars less than a 396-cubic-inch, 375 hp Camaro SS because power front discs and a transmission were mandatory extras.

Period-style quarter-mile times were in the low 13-second range, dropping to the 11-second range with simple tuning and slicks. Supercars.net says it is believed 822 cars were built with four-speed gearboxes and another 193 with automatics.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

COPO 9561 cars carry the L72 427/425 hp engine, the ZL2 cowl-induction hood with L78 air cleaner, heavy-duty springs, a 12-bolt Positraction rear axle with 4.10:1 gears and a heavy-duty radiator, with nothing outside to mark them as special. Genuine cars are normally backed by the original Protect-O-Plate, body broadcast sheet, dealer invoice and COPO Connection certification. A small number also have the Rally Sport package (an estimated 58) and the COPO 9737 Sports Car Conversion Package with a 140 mph speedometer, bigger front sway bar and rally wheels.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Camaro Research Group – COPO Level B

   • 50 approximately 50 L72 Camaros sold by Berger Chevrolet

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO (Fort Lauderdale 2014, lot R0516) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • 427-cid, 425-hp L72 engine
   • L72 427-cid, 425-hp V-8 engine
   • special 4.10:1 special Posi-traction unit with a heat-treated ring and pinion
   • Power front discs and an optional transmission were mandatory

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   1969 Chevrolet Camaro 427 COPO 9561 Level B Supercars.net

   • 427 cubic inch, 425 horsepower Mark IV big block V-8

   Accessed 2026-11-12