For enthusiasts looking to restore or repair a classic 1970 Chevelle, the quest for a parts car is often a crucial step. When searching for a 1970 Chevelle Parts Car For Sale, understanding the nuances of Chevelle production options, particularly COPO (Central Office Production Order), can be incredibly beneficial, even though it’s slightly different for the 1970 model year compared to its predecessor.
To clarify a common point of confusion, unlike the 1969 Chevelle, the 1970 model year didn’t feature any special high-performance engine COPO options like the legendary 427. The standard RPO LS6 454 cubic inch engine, producing a formidable 450 horsepower, was already considered the pinnacle of performance for the 1970 Chevelle. This inherent power meant there wasn’t a perceived need for a special COPO engine upgrade in the same vein as the previous year’s 427.
What Exactly is a COPO?
COPO stands for Central Office Production Order. It was essentially a special ordering process that Chevrolet implemented to accommodate vehicle configurations that weren’t available through the regular RPO (Regular Production Order) system used by dealerships. Think of RPO as the standard menu of options you could pick from at a dealership, while COPO was more of a custom order system requiring direct approval from Chevrolet’s central office.
A COPO option on a Chevelle build sheet (the factory document detailing how a specific car was built) indicates that a non-standard feature or combination of features was included in the vehicle’s production.
COPO Beyond High Performance: Not Just About Engines
While the term “COPO Chevelle” is often associated with high-performance, especially in the context of the 1969 427ci models, it’s important to understand that COPO was not exclusively for performance enhancements. COPO codes could be used for a wide array of special equipment needed for various applications.
For instance, COPO options were frequently utilized for fleet vehicles or specialized builds. Imagine police cars, military vehicles, taxi cabs, or even something as unique as a Blood Mobile built on a Chevelle chassis. These types of vehicles often required specific alternators, wiring harnesses, heavy-duty components, or other modifications not typically offered through the regular dealer ordering process. These specialized features would be implemented using COPO codes. There are even documented cases of police vehicles build sheets showing COPO codes for upgraded alternators and wiring.
COPO and Your 1970 Chevelle Parts Car Search
So, how does this understanding of COPO relate to your search for a 1970 chevelle parts car for sale? While you’re unlikely to find a 1970 Chevelle parts car with a special COPO engine (because they didn’t really exist in the high-performance sense), knowing about COPO can still be valuable.
When you examine a potential parts car, especially if you have access to its build sheet (often found still attached to the car or sometimes recoverable), looking for COPO codes can reveal unique aspects of that vehicle’s original configuration. This information can be crucial if you are seeking specific, potentially rare, parts for your restoration project. For example, a former fleet or special-purpose Chevelle parts car might have heavy-duty suspension components, unique interior trim, or other features that could be valuable for certain restoration or customization projects.
In conclusion, while the 1970 Chevelle COPO story is different from the 1969 legend, understanding the concept of Central Office Production Orders and their broader applications beyond just high-performance engines provides valuable context when searching for a 1970 chevelle parts car for sale. It encourages a deeper look into the history and potential unique features of any Chevelle parts car you might consider.
