A COPO Chevelle in 1973???

[@Captaincurtsgarage]

Friend of mine had one in high school that same color he had a built 350 in that car that car was fast

[@kickdowngarage]

This one is bone stock so not the quickest but it sure does purrr going done the road at 70.

[@turbobuicksix]

This was my first car, almost identical inside and out except no vinyl top, unless it was previously removed. Mine had a 350 4BBL engine, TH 350 trans and 2:73 posi. Sadly it burned to a steel shell back in the 90's. I actually still have the build sheet from it. Thanks for posting this, brought me back about 30 years!

[@kevinmc4500]

Looks like my first car….a ‘73 rebadged Monte Carlo

[@rp9035]

I owned two 1976 Laguna S-3's. Both had swivel bucket seats and console shift.

[@kickdowngarage]

Little more fancier then this one that wasn’t much more then your plain Jane model! Were the swivel seats comfortable?

[@rp9035]

@@kickdowngarage Yes. Thanks.

[@kingnillvwell381]

Nice car i wish i’m around to see it closer , and far , those were everywhere back then , full with fun .

[@FitzArias]

That Laguna front bumper cover gives that car a lot of character. Very beautiful car.

[@kickdowngarage]

I think they do too. Bought the car on a whim, not sure if I would have bought it if it wasn’t a laguna. So far I’m enjoying it very much.

[@FitzArias]

@@kickdowngarage I believe you. The Laguna aero front fascia is a far better looking design. Flatters the car a lot.

[@kickdowngarage]

Yes it does, in my opinion I think it looks better then the front bumper that sticks out so far on the SS and Malibu.

[@edmundanderson657]

Had a buddy that bought one as his first car around 80. 73 Laguna 350 2bbl auto console and bucket seats. Car was maroon with the landau top. Top was pretty faded but I'd say it was beige, and the interior was off white too.

[@scarbourgeoisie]

After looking at a bunch of online photos of '73 Laguna's, it came down to the half vinyl roof. I couldn't find one single photo of a Laguna with a half vinyl roof like this one. Based on that sleuthing, it was easy to figure out.

[@kickdowngarage]

You are correct. Kind of a goofy option on a base Laguna!

[@jonathangodbout6645]

If I remember 73 was the only one that had full stainless steel trim around the triangle rear windows. I ended up using the set from a 73 Chevelle for my 76 Cutlass 442 restoration. My older brother had a 74 malibu in the mid 80s. Always loved this generation. It looks like you have the later models set up on the driver's side but the original stainless steel on the passenger side

[@kickdowngarage]

Both sides have been replaced from a previous owner and are plastic with the exception of the stainless corner piece. I found some original ones but wow they are not cheap!

[@kurtwise7356]

Brings back a lot of memories! My 73 was a SS and put Keystone classics for rims! Very sharp car!

[@jorgecarretero6155]

Remember the 1973 CHEVELLE OR MALIBU is the Only year of the DUEL round lights on each side making them look more sportier like a Camaro or Corvette and with the laguna front package it looks even better,Mind you my girlfriend father gave me his 74 Chevy Chevelle LAGUNA STATION WAGON IN LIGHT YELLOW with the side wood panels this was in 1982 and super excited because I knew it was a special car well it didn't last long the city had towed it because of out standing tickets this is why he gave it to me so I could put it under my name but it too long to give me the title.I always like them RUBBER FRONT END like the 73-77 pontiac grand am or gto,77-79 Chevy Camaro and Fire bird the 1981 Chrysler Imperial and 80s Miranda The 77 78 Dodge Magnum Gt you get the Picture

[@noelamick2015]

Like your car. I have a 1973 as well. Love it. It is in amazing condition. Just hit original 20k. Got it with 15k. Winter frost green. You either love or hate them. I love them.👍

[@kickdowngarage]

Yep I wasn’t looking for this car specifically but I’m sure glad I picked it up, I’m enjoying it very much!

[@darrelkinney9856]

Cool video I’ve got an SS 350 myself. 73 chevelle’s n Laguna, S3 Laguna . Not many people include these 73-77 , hard parts to get. My 73 ss bench ft seat black vinyl top wide quarter window ft n rear bumper guards . I did have a nice paint job done back in 84 , Iite blue met / blue int , hardest part is the full length body stripes wide n narrow from bumper to bumper. 14” rally wheels. Glad you are doing something nice work keeping this style of chevelle’s on the road.

[@kickdowngarage]

They are really nice, smooth riding cars but do get overshadowed by the 2nd gens. Thanks for the sharing!

[@miguelcastaneda7257]

Other option was swivel bucket seats..mine used the ten inch wide steel station wagon rims ran L 60s all the way around stabilizer bars from.police car tuck away ladder bar rear.. was a fun car

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

My uncle had one, the only car I know that came with swivel bucket seats, they were great cars

[@garyszewc3339]

All mid-size GMS were available with the swivel seats and so were some T-Birds. The 76 Cutlass I drove in driver's training had them.

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

The Monte Carlos had them also

[@gt-37guy6]

Chevelles, Monte Carlos, and Cutlass / 442 had the swivel options. Pontiacs and Buicks did not have them.

[@mikeweber5382]

Nice car for sure, love it. Not afraid to admit it, my favorite era of cars. 70s to mid 80s.

[@benmisner6457]

A father of a friend of mine had a 70s Malibu. I thought it was the coolest car ever it have the swivel front seats black it was so cool

[@mattskustomkreations]

I think the front fascia material was called “Endura” by GM.

[@kickdowngarage]

Thanks for the comment. That sounds right when I think back to the GTO ads.

[@clarenceupton6243]

I've always liked the 1973-1977 Chevy Malibu two door 😊❤👍

[@lenordbrazil9580]

That's a unique car I like it 73 was the last year muscle car era

[@DavidHansell-t4o]

Last year of the muscle car era was about 1970 before the emissions controls started

[@dadsc10]

my sister had a new at the time 74 malibu classic laundau same color combo as yours it was beautiful , yours is stunning my friend great job :)

[@kickdowngarage]

Thank you!

[@barryrussell4106]

These 73 up cars are gaining respect. I knew a girl In school had a 454 ss she tried to get me too buy it and I said no way 72 was the cut off.

[@JonnyHolms]

Gorgeous car 🚗, im absolutely loving that color, just subscribed..

[@kickdowngarage]

Thank you for the support!

[@garyszewc3339]

I had a 73 Malibu. They were built so poorly they, had such bad gaps, but he could slide something down along the glass and open the door faster than with the key.

[@kickdowngarage]

Wow I must have got lucky with this one because at 50 years old the windows and doors seal up really good, no wind noise at all!

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Always wanted one of those, S3 in white with maroon lower body, 454, sport mirrors, 15" rally wheels. Not an easy car to find, probably never was.

[@kickdowngarage]

That is a great combination, probably my favorite. There’s one at the local cruise in from time to time, jealous every time I see it!

[@terrymaxwell5958]

Growing up, the girl across the street dated a guy who had the same car you described, including the 454.

[@rustymohr6652]

These body style years never got much love unless they were the Olds 442. My 1st real daily driver was a '74 Chevelle Malibu in 1986. 350 2 bbl, 3 on the column, Burgundy with Houndstooth interior. Same large rear side glass, steel roof so idk anything about the window trim. It had the ugly single oval tail lights.

[@JohnPflug-u5r]

COPO does not automatically mean a special performance option. And this car is proof.

[@kickdowngarage]

Nope there is a big list of different copi options including gauges, brakes and same as in this case special paint options. Special paint options usually should have been used for fleet vehicles such as taxis, police and fire etc.

[@JohnPflug-u5r]

@@kickdowngarage re-read what I wrote. I succinctly stated the same thing!

[@kickdowngarage]

@@JohnPflug-u5r I know, I was agreeing with you!

[@junkyarddawgfixit8970]

My 73 Laguna S3 was red with black bench seat interior, someone had put a 70 R.A 3 Pontiac engine in it with th400 auto, after I installed the 4.10 posi rear that car would get down, actually went off the road a few times when you floored it, once all that power and weight start drifting its hard to bring it back, the circle track guys love them because the car can take a lot of hits and stay on the track. Also had a 73 SS 454 car, brown with black swivel buckets and console. Living in the southeast you rarely see one of these without rust, I remember hearing somewhere that GM was experimenting with recycled steel in 73-74? Not sure if that was a fact or not. Your car is nice, do yourself a favor and never sell it.

[@kickdowngarage]

Thanks for the comment. I do wish this one had a 454 in it but I would never swap it out. It’s such a great running and riding car. That’s the bad thing about living in the north, everything is so rusty up here if it was driven at all in the winter.

[@mr9c1driver59]

In 73 it was just called Laguna. For 74, 75, and 76 they changed the emblem and it became the Laguna Type S3.

[@rustymohr6652]

Interesting factoid about the recycled steel experiment, maybe that's why both of my doors rusted out around the mirrors...hmmm? The rest of it seemed pretty good if I recollect right though.

[@jrnash5329]

Actually the severe rust curse in pre '75 GM vehicles is attributed to the fact that they didn't start using galvanized steel til 1975 & even then the north - Midwest states & the salting of roads still tore them up...

[@dcformee123]

I hate to differ with you but I'm afraid the 73 did come with factory dual exhaust on the Laguna 350 my grandmother owned one of those brand new and she bought it in 73 and traded it in and 77 on the new for that year the Impala /Caprice hershad dual exhaust bucket seats it also had the 350 engine it had a.m. with eight track stereo I remember that too cuz we drove it from Illinois down to Georgia back in 1976 we went to Georgia to visit an ant from Illinois when we were visiting my grandmother now you take care of that car they're very rare.

[@garysarnowski3113]

Baldwin Motion made a 73 Malibu SS with their 427 engine, was in pewter silver color, think it was in the Petersen car collection.

[@hendo337]

Sure it wasn't a 454? The only factory 427 at that time was the tall deck dump truck engine.

[@garysarnowski3113]

@@hendo337 Your right! 454 it was.

[@garysarnowski3113]

Nope, was a ZLX L-88 427 engine, just googled the car.

[@edmundanderson657]

​@@garysarnowski3113 Gotta remember, dealers like Baldwin and Yenko "built" specialty cars. Ordered what they could off the line but made them there own.

[@pdrphil8159]

Is it for sale ? My 1st car was a 73 Chevelle ... 350 , 4 speed . It got 10 mpg & top speed was 90 mph , down hill... But it was my 1st car. Love to find one.

[@kickdowngarage]

Nope not for sale right now, I haven’t had it that long and I’m really enjoying it. With the bench seat it reminds me of my first car so it’s bringing back a lot of good memories!

[@cedrickevans6056]

Its got that classic vent drivers side crouch area😂 I had a park avenue with that I Loved it

[@kickdowngarage]

The vent is great on a warm day! Lol

[@rickloera9468]

The 1973 Chevrolet Laguna is a beautiful car. I remember when the Colonade cars came out in fall 1972. I even remember what day it was when I saw my first.Colonade car on the road. It was a white Pontiac Grand AM with red interior. That was one sharp car. I'm looking at your car and I see two things. I'm not 100%, but I don't think that is a factory green color. I don't remember ever seeing one with a half vinyl top. I did on the formal roof model, but not the fast back with the larger quarter window. I'm wondering if the top was the dealer installed. My aunt had a 1973 Ford Torino with a dealer installed vinyl top. The trim is completely different than a factory installed vinyl top. Love the bench seat colum shift, and I'm glad to see the car in loving hands. The original owner is probably looking down with a big smile on his face.

[@kickdowngarage]

Thanks for the comment. The green is a factory color, Chevrolet had a real fancy name for it..dark metallic green Lol! A full vinyl roof was an RPO option. According to build sheet the dealer special ordered it through the COPO codes to get the half vinyl roof. I think the half roofs came more common in 74. Seen a lot more Olds with them then chevs too.

[@JasonSheppard-uy9ij]

Gorgeous car museum for sure

[@timalcorn4765]

I had a nineteen seventy three For door Chevelle Laguna It was same color as that was a white bottle top

[@DanneyTanner]

I had a sweet 73 monte carlo in 1983 in hi school.

[@Captaincurtsgarage]

Love these years chevelles cutlasses LeManses I think there's cool

[@fishypictures]

I always liked the laguna… all nose.

[@walterneville2625]

I HAD A 1973 LAGUNA S3, WITH A 454... NICE LOOKING, BUT SLOW AS A TURTLE..

[@kickdowngarage]

Wow figured it would have moved decent with the torque of the big block. Wish mine had the 454 but with gas prices I enjoy the mpg out of the 350

[@walterneville2625]

@@kickdowngarage i WAS USED TO DRIVING A max wedge.. Not a fair comparison... I did like the car... Thanks for the response..

[@ostrich67]

@@kickdowngarage Probably needed more rear-end gear.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

73 ss454 and laguna s3 454 would’ve had dual exhaust

[@RobretBertram]

indeed

[@bobbyhunt7010]

Nope. The 73 Lagunas were required to have single catalytic converters so they used 2 into one, through converter and split back to dual. EPA regulations did not allow for dual converters until 74.

[@googleusergp]

@@bobbyhunt7010 Not until 1975 would a converter have been required.

[@mr9c1driver59]

@@bobbyhunt7010 1975 was the first years for converters. The 73 and 74 Chevelle and Laguna did not come with a catalytic converter.

[@edmundanderson657]

​@@bobbyhunt7010 Nope, 75 was the first year for cats and unleaded fuel. Had a buddy with a 73 Laguna 350 2bbl auto car. It had duals but can't say they were original.

[@glennmanchester5696]

I had a 73 Malibu that I cloned into a Ss chevelle the donor ss was a rust bucket but I liked the car they were in their pinnacle GM was at that time it rode and drove wonderfully

[@kickdowngarage]

You are correct. Even though this generation isn’t as popular as the 2nd I have to admit they do ride better and I sure can tell GM did improvements over the previous year.

[@shawnsecleter2453]

Simply beautiful

[@kickdowngarage]

Thank you!

[@thomasthurston6656]

80 mph lol you got on the freeways here in Socal.

[@dcformee123]

I watched more your video I see yours had a two-barrel my grandmother's had the four barrel that might be why hers had with factory dual exhaust I know this year's also has a bench seat hers had the factory swivel bucket seats in the console those are nice they make the car a little sportier hers had like that white or cream color interior and then the outside was like a copper not sure exact color of it but it was a nice car she had a lot of problems because she didn't drive it hard she just put it around like a little old lady so the big 350 didn't like to be driven to the store and back and to work and back and that's it and needed to be blown out and she didn't do that so she traded for that 77 Impala and had that for a long time till she quit driving.

[@kickdowngarage]

I was just going to ask you if hers had a 4 bbl for it to have duals! Thanks for sharing. This car is still fairly new to me and my first one of this generation so I’m still learning about them. Thanks for sharing and the comments!

[@alreynolds7152]

Great shape ! Wish the colors were different ! I'd say worth around 15k !

[@buckster2575]

Some had dual exhaust.the transmission crossmember was set up for it.

[@kickdowngarage]

Yep even though mine originally had single exhaust the cross member that’s the two humps for duals.

[@jameswillett7186]

1973 was the good old days. That was the year that our standard of living peaked in the United States. 1973 was also the year that our manufacturing peaked.

[@brucefoster8084]

When I think COPO I think fleet, taxi cabs.

[@kickdowngarage]

Good point, never thought of fleet vehicles being COPO options! Thanks for the input!

[@ronchase1673]

I always liked the 73-77 A-G bodied cars

[@gt-37guy6]

They ride and handle WAY better than the 1968 - 1972 cars! I have 74 Century GS455.

[@kickdowngarage]

They sure do!

[@gt-37guy6]

@@kickdowngarage If you can get the Horsepower over 350 or so gross, over 400 if possible, they get really fun....and with the stiffer suspension and sway bars will keep up with (or humiliate) allot of expensive cars.

[@buckster2575]

There was a Baldwin motion 73 ss Chevelle.

[@kickdowngarage]

I think I’ve seen pictures of that years ago.

[@hendo337]

I'm supprised that 2 dual exhaust wasn't available in 73 on a small block 350, a cat wasn't required till 75. A 2bbl certainly not but, yeah.

[@kickdowngarage]

It was with the 454 and I believe the 4 Bbl but I could be wrong. Hopefully someone can comment that knows for sure.

[@user-rx7dc7qn9v]

Looking for the SS version 💯🤘

[@RichardSmith-d3e]

Cool Ride

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Nice car

[@shanepowers7566]

Them 350 2barrels came on really hard low to medium range, if the car didn’t have highway gears.

[@kickdowngarage]

Yeah I always liked the quick response of the 2bbl right off the line.

[@gt-37guy6]

A buddy in HS had one - a low milage bench seat car (his moms car) it would leave a 1 wheel peel all the way down the block...

[@mikeholland1031]

Ppl always rhink COPO is a good thing. I dont think most ppl even know what it means

[@kickdowngarage]

I didn’t go into real detail but hopefully this video will help explain COPO options a little.

[@mikeholland1031]

@@kickdowngarage you did say what it stood for.

[@jamesdamron2065]

I liked the 73s

[@omcara1]

We bought a new one in 73... By early 74 the quarter window frames had big rust holes in them. What a crappy rusty car that turned out to be. The dealer had to take it back.

[@kickdowngarage]

Wow that happened fast. What state was that in?

[@chrisliberty1773]

I had a 73 Malibu, 350x2 w/a biege Landau, rear window defog/ac Brown/Biege top/saddle interior....copo?....hell no but a neat old car....I miss ot dearly.

[@kickdowngarage]

It is. I never paid too much attention to these years until I picked up this one and it’s been a great car

[@MintyFreshTurds]

I had a 4-door with no vinyl top, exact same color in side and out. I got it on eBay sight unseen in horrible condition or else I would have kept it and not sold it.

[@KhalidKhalid-x6m]

Nice car is still available

[@LonnyBun-bb9jr]

The value is in.. the car Being a numbered car.. Meaning they only made 28,647 SS in 1973.. Brown en, Green cars were the last ones to leave the lot, copo

[@TheREALOC1972]

These mid-late muscle cars are getting popular to rebuild because they are cheap and they have aged out of Smog regulations everywhere but California.

[@robertbisson9499]

Unfortunately, no Laguna S3 ever came with a 454.

[@kickdowngarage]

Technically the S3 started in 74 after they stopped making the SS in 73 and yes you could get a 454 in it. There are a couple original ones around here that I see at the local cruise nights that have the 454 in them.

[@robertbisson9499]

Well apparently the "documentary" I watched many years ago about the Laguna S3 Chevelles was wrong. It said a big block was not an option. I could have sworn I seen one when I was a teenager that was a 454/4speed car. I love the 73 & 74 colonades especially the Pontiac versions.

[@rogermcgrady2019]

Put set rally wheels on it

[@bobbyhunt7010]

Beautiful 73 Laguna but definitely not a COPO. I had a Glacier Blue one just like it (bought new) but mine had a 4bbl. Next year (74) I traded it for a Laguna 454.

[@kickdowngarage]

Nope not a COPO in the way that we are used to from the muscle cars of the 60’s. But it does have one COPO option which to me made no sense to why they ordered it that way or why it was even available to order that way. I just wanted to show that things could still be ordered differently then the standard RPO codes.

[@markhuyette8509]

I thought they came with captain chairs instead of the bench seat

[@kickdowngarage]

They could have been ordered with swivel seats too

[@raymondcanessa7208]

is copo street legal in all states

[@kickdowngarage]

COPO was just a list of different options that were available Central Office Production Order vs the dealers RPO Regular Production Order options. COPO options could have been something simple like a 140 mph speedo vs a 120 to non standard paint options, up to different engines and just like anything options varied by the year.

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Are you interested in selling it?

[@kickdowngarage]

Nope hanging onto this one for a while.

[@lcurtsinger4313]

It was whifte like a white wall tire

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

One way to tell it’s a copo car is it’s got a bench seat. Laguna 2 doors would’ve came with swivel buckets

[@buckster2575]

No some did have bench seats.

[@greyfirestone5119]

Bench seat was standard, swivel buckets were optional.

[@garyszewc3339]

You are not too bright, if you think COPO means a big block. Yenko and Nickey were not COPO cars. Yenko and Nickey ordered standard cars and then modified them at the dealership. COPO, is just a special way of ordering cars. There are many different modifications that had to be ordered through COPO. 427s, were just one.

[@kickdowngarage]

Thought I explained that in the video. Either I didn’t or you missed it. Sorry for any confusion. Early on Don Yenko ordered Camaros with 396s in them and transplanted 427s. By 69 he along with dealers worked with GM and was able to COPO order 427s in the Camaros along with other options.

[@brianeastman3547]

Mine was a 1974

[@benjigaines7044]

Where’s the 454 man ??

[@kickdowngarage]

I wish!

[@toddedwards5373]

Beauty is in tne eye of the beholder.i much prefer the look of this car than what i consider the ugliest chevelle made the 68 or 69.

[@DavidHansell-t4o]

I don’t want to seam mean but why are you wasting your time on a 73 Chevelle. I could see if it was a 72 because they didn’t have those big ugly bumpers,and the emissions controls were not that bad. The body style on the 72 was so much better.

[@kickdowngarage]

Depending on the state the 72’s did have the same emissions as this year. I also picked up this car for a pretty reasonable price and with already having the previous generation I wanted to try something new.

[@DavidHansell-t4o]

No problem,I had a 69+71 years a go and liked those cars

[@Noise-c5u]

I don't no what general motors was thinking when they made these ugly Chevelles😂

[@RayParker-h7j]

Is this 4 sale

[@kickdowngarage]

Sorry not for sale at this time. Enjoying it too much!

[@DavidSmith-pp9mt]

You never explained what made it a copo .

[@kickdowngarage]

Sorry thought I did. Nothing too important at all. This is a standard 73 Laguna with 1 COPO option, the half vinyl roof. Standard RPO code was for a full roof but the COPO code was for a half roof. Only one I’ve ever seen in 73 on a chevelle. Kind of weird they went through the work to order it that way and not to put on any other options.

[@hatedforhighrollin]

It was only LABELED A COPO BECAUSE THE GREEN PAINT . THATS IT. NOTHEN ELSE IS RELATED TO THE 60s real COPO CARS . STOP THE MADNESS MAN.

[@kickdowngarage]

Labeled a COPO because of the half vinyl roof. The point of the video was to show that the cars could still be ordered differently beyond the RPO codes via the COPO codes. And that COPO was not just limited to big motors and could be simple options.

[@googleusergp]

@@kickdowngarage Correct. COPO was just an ordering system for some unique options.

[@jrnash5329]

You betcha bub , had me a '88 Nova twin cam SS that somebody special ordered for their Mom ! All it was was a rebadged Toyota HA but it had a manual trans & special paint that turned out to fall under a copo designation.

[@blue_lancer_es]

​@@jrnash5329so... Not black?

[@jrnash5329]

@@blue_lancer_es well it was but the graphics were different from a friend's mom's which had red graphics & was special ordered under a Copo designation hers had an automatic tranny , mine was a 5spd technically that were rebadged Toyotas HA that car ran really hard I used it to go to work from Redwood to Berkeley about 80 miles round trip keeping the miles off my El Camino,Have a good day

[@wilsixone]

I think that's a dealer installed vinyl roof...

[@rosenb37]

The data plate will give the hint.

[@lcurtsinger4313]

Rear windows

[@ronaldnorris2179]

72 the last real chevelle in my opinion!!!

[@ragnew7411]

It's called an S3 laguna not copo I've owned 2 of them

[@kickdowngarage]

Didn’t the start calling the an S3 in 74 when the SS was no longer available. This car is a base Laguna with a copo “special paint” option.

[@doncnunez6231]

The least desired Chevelle 's 1973-77

[@chuckwhitson654]

This isnt copo as people understand. Something ain't right

[@kickdowngarage]

Nope just a special paint/roof option on a base Laguna

[@steve6886]

PUT 69 LINCOLN SPRINGS IN THE BACK AND IT WILL SIT HIGH AND RIDE SMOOTH... AND FOR GOD SAKES THEN YOU CAN PUT THE BIG BACK TIRES BACK ON IT LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE.... STOP TURNING IT BACK INTO A GRAMDMA CAR

[@kickdowngarage]

That’s how it was when I got it and it looked ridiculous and rode terrible. At least it rides nice and smooth down the road now.

[@CAVERUNLAKE]

No offense but didn’t like them then or now but to each his own

[@southernman7692]

that is a dam nice car

[@kickdowngarage]

Thank you!