Chevrolet
Camaro COPO 9561 (L72 427, all dealers)

Why it matters

COPO 9561 let Chevrolet dealers order a Camaro with the iron-block L72 427 cubic inch engine through a fleet-order channel, even though General Motors forbade production engines above 400 cubic inches in cars other than the Corvette and full-size models. It was far cheaper than the aluminium-engined ZL-1 option (COPO 9560) and sold in much larger numbers.

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

Don Yenko approached Chevrolet about a special production run of 427 Camaros for 1969 after converting engines by hand in 1967 and 1968 proved slow and costly. The result was COPO 9561, which was identical to COPO 9560 apart from the engine, the ignition system and the front springs. It included the L72 427/425 hp engine, a special ducted hood, heavy-duty cooling and a special 4.10 'BE' axle, for $489.75. Power front discs and a transmission choice were mandatory.

Yenko sold 198 of the cars. Other dealers learned of the order and also bought them, some stocking COPO 9561 Camaros and Chevelles. Insurance companies later caught on and the cars became harder to sell. CRG found no production records for 9561, but derived a total of 997 cars from 1969 Camaro engine and option totals, supported by 1,015 L72 engines built (822 four-speed 'MN' and 193 automatic 'MO').

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.

CRG describes COPO 9561 as an SS-based Camaro that differs from the ZL-1 (9560) only in engine, ignition and front springs. Cars have the L72 427/425 hp V8, a ducted cold-air hood, heavy-duty cooling and the 'BE' coded 4.10:1 Positraction rear axle in place of the standard 4.10 'BV' axle. L72 engines were coded 'MN' (four-speed) and 'MO' (automatic). Original dealer paperwork exists for many cars and can show whether an example is a genuine COPO car.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   COPO 427: The Relentless Pursuit of Acceleration Level A Camaro Research Group (CRG) · 2020-07-08

   • 1,066 - 69 = 997 COPO 9561 cars
   • L72 427/425 hp engine
   • 425HP L72 iron block engine
   • heat-treated 4.10:1 ring and pinion. It was coded "BE"
   • mandatory options of F70x14 RWL tires, power front disc brakes

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Camaro Research Group – Engine production volumes 1967-69 Level B

   • 997 COPO 9561 cars, 1969 (derived figure; records not kept)

   Accessed 2026-11-12