Driving the Holy Grail Camaro - This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO ZL1 Tribute is a 550HP Sledgehammer

[@ROLXXII]

Don't you just love it when a car is detailed properly and presented in a pristine condition they deserve.

[@gordocarbo]

Love it! Not a fan of rusted bashed up pos.

[@yamahaguy1732]

But also when it gets out and drives and doesn’t just sit in a garage!

[@stephendibari5010]

I tune in to Listen to Bill’s amazing encyclopedia of car knowledge and of the course the rambling on about birds and the lazy detailer ! By far one of the best car reviewers on the TUBE

[@brandonjanuhowskimusic2787]

Him and patrickglennnichols!

[@andretv2308]

Please still keep your one of a kind style.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

@@curiouscars9282 At least 10 min rants please or I'm unsubscribing!

[@jimmieromero8181]

For the love of god, don’t ever lose your rants!!! I come back for those rants 🤘🏽 haha. The content just is so informative but the rants has me laughing at the times i need it!

[@oswb8225]

Love the rants

[@stephendibari5010]

DITTO!!

[@AADX74]

Yep 👍

[@9ZERO6]

The sound of that car running through the gears is directly from god.

[@Geardos1]

@@curiouscars9282 how many yards per gallon does something like this get?

[@jeepjoseph9036]

@@Geardos1 probably better than my charger

[@9ZERO6]

I drive an old beat up 1970 Buick Skylark 350 4bbl. A couple of weeks ago I was at the gas station filling up and somebody asked me what kind of mileage I get. I said "Don't know, don't care". Apparently (after seeing the look on thier face) they must have been serious. 🤣

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@9ZERO6 Fuck. Them. Tools

[@theeoddments960]

derek244 the Buick 350s actually aren’t too bad have a 72 with a 350 making 300-ish horse with an edelbrock and I calculated at 13.5 mpg with 3.42 gears lol not too bad for an old beast

[@oswb8225]

Bill. Your encyclopedic knowledge of many car manufacturers is amazing, but I hope your new channel format continues with your sarcasm, commentary on current events, weather and birds.

[@scottdavis_34]

Bill, as a Camaro fan (I own a 2019) this one was a real treat to watch. Such an icon not only in the Camaro World but in the Auto industry as well. That color is gorgeous!! Thanks so much for showing us this one! What a beauty!!

[@scottdavis_34]

jayjaylen75 Agreed!!

[@ronsampservice3066]

WOW! AWESOME! For anyone that has never ridden in one of these early Camaros or Novas with an engine like that, all I can say is you have no idea! THANKS FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO!

[@classic-kool]

Hey Bill, the new endeavor will be a success as long as you're the Chief!! .. Can't wait to check it out!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

me too!

[@bowtie-man]

Hats off to the dude that invested the time,money, and effort in this gorgeous ride.😍😍👊👊👍👍🤙🤙✌✌👏👏👏👏

[@fookjoebiden]

Jesus CHRIST I'm in LOVE. Favorite car ever. hands down

[@kellismith4329]

Wow that really is the pinnacle of camaro

[@liberatovillavicencio7159]

Very well narrated and the display of the performance of the COPO Camaro was stunning.

[@MrCarGuy]

Every single car in that room is absolutely amazing! My favorite cars from each manufacturer and love the early Panteras.

[@egold2071]

Look at that lovely 300ZX crowding in to the opening frame. Gorgeous work setting up the shot!

[@mht6848]

I don't care about the dealership...just you Bill! Keep it up!

[@JollyGreen79]

When and after that thing took off we actually got to hear you genuinely laugh and then I could hear you talking through your shit eating grin! Awesome!!

[@805NAVE]

Love your style and humor and especially the rants!!!! Looking forward to wherever this channel is headed!!! Almost at 50,000 subscribers damn hard to believe! Congrats Bill

[@jetttdi]

Beautiful car. Love your videos. It's the highlight of my week!

[@CarsofGlasgow]

same here! Did you see his Ghibli video?

[@josephandreuccetti8043]

He should have done long tube headers A car like this really really needs them and doesn’t hinder the car

[@ChevyBM]

That sound when a big block revs up fast! Holy shit!

[@philhamilton8731]

One of the sweetest sounds ever. Like Bill said, America, F*ck Yeah!

[@gordocarbo]

Carb souds like its gonna swallow the atmosphere

[@DapperProf]

Wow - gorgeous. Really needing this in the time where we are feeling so down in the country. Can't wait to see what you do next!!

[@sanfranciscobay]

19:17 Accelerating from 1st to 3rd gears, sounds like full throttle.

[@Nick992]

We are all here for your commentary Bill! Feel free to review other things, not just cars.

[@Thumper68]

Saw a real one at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale sale for like 650k if I remember right I have a lot of photos of it. There’s only like 20 survivors of the 69.

[@gordocarbo]

Surprised, Id have guessed it crossed the 7 figure mark. Baddest Camaro ever, man does she sound nasty!

[@BEVO_vs_The_World]

Is Mike worried about blowing his witness relocation cover?

[@SSGTA440]

A fantastic video! I'm a Mopar guy, thru and thru, I got some very nice rides, but the 69 Camaro was ALWAYS my favorite of ALL the Camaros.....that and the 61 Chev....The job done here is superb...the cam I believe is a .600 lift solid factory cam, with over 270 degrees at .050 duration...actually a racing cam.. bigger in lift specs than the L-88 cam which was also quite aggressive.....quite radical, and yes these engines are well above 500 horsepower. I hope the owner spends a LOT of time enjoying this beauty. By the way, 7k back in 69 is like about 50k today....I think...not all that bad when you realize the price of the new Challengers and Camaros. The drag pack Challengers are over 100 K today, and they go 9's

[@krislomrub008]

Thx for all your vids Bill - love your personal portraits of some really eclectic cars.

[@bob808]

Good Lord she sounded phenomenal on song going through the gears! 🙏 That's a fantastic collection too!

[@brettb5257]

This thing is jaw dropping! Beautiful.

[@Thumper68]

The ZL1 were all aluminum 427. The Yenko was L72 427 iron block.

[@thud9797]

Did Yenko swap the cam or did it stay stock L72?

[@gordocarbo]

@@thud9797 Who knows, bet some were breathed on if the customer asked him to.

[@jackkeller3172]

69 made it out of the factory 300 were crushed and destroyed torches were used to blow holes in the motor block so they could not be retrieved from the body after it was crushed general motors considered his car an insurance liability cuz it did not have a bulletproof bell housing that would restrict the clutch assembly from taking the door hinges off the side of the car my father worked the final line when this all went down at general motors I had a COPO Camaro as a high school graduation present but I was only lucky enough to have a cast iron model drag raced it religiously for four and a half years never wrecked it never killed nobody did the grace of God I enjoyed the ultimate heartbeat of America and never regretted it thank you Lord

[@mikeskipworth856]

Did you knock that one dude into the tire wall? These videos always make my day, and this one was extra special. Nothing like the sound of a pissed off big block.

[@josephandreuccetti8043]

I really enjoy your humor and personality Thank you for for telling us how miserable humidity is every time you walk outside and your hit with a wall of hell. Chicago can have brutal humidity in the summer time also and I giggle when you bring up what paradise is like and the reality 😂

[@zxtenn]

Yeah that ZL-1 cam was radical, i think even more aggressive that the L-88 phase 2. I had a 67 RS COPO clone so it was 427/425 with the solid cam but not as radical as the L-88 or Zl-1. I was expecting some breaking loose and 2nd 3rd gears chirps, the good aftermarket BORG and BECK pressure plates of that time were far superior to the stock diaphragm for pressure and grip. I had a Zoom street/strip one on mine and that pedal pressure was crazy, i even had to get an upgraded clutch rod from Mr. Gasket due to the several pressure needed to push it down but i can say it GRABBED!!!

[@jonboy9912]

I never realised just how many reviews you have undertaken! Progression of any kind seems natural. Hope the style remains and perhaps you can get out more around lovely Naples where there are targets a plenty for your caustic humour! Thanks for the legacy reviews and best of luck with whatever is coming down the line! Don't burn your bridges though!!

[@Stonehombre1]

This looks just like one that drove into the Year One parking lot back in the 90's when I worked there. ALL ALUMINUM 427 BIG BLOCK !!!!! what a beast..

[@jrftworth]

A mustang owners worst nightmare

[@snggarageeng]

i think it even smells factory new ! Bill has different voice, very happy !

[@mikemoxley9477]

Thank you, hope you do more auto tour like this one. I see this is one of your older videos. Please think about more.

[@ronmccullock1407]

Superb video Bill, that engine noise is epic

[@stevesmith6554]

Those were the best of days. Thanks for the video.

[@gordocarbo]

Was 1 when this car came out, still my fav car of all time

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video Bill, that Chevy sounds soo good!! (nothing sounds like that in Europe!) Ps all the best for your next adventure :)

[@JohnW1711stock]

In 1971 my brother went to, what was then Jerry's Govans Chevrolet (in Baltimore), to order an SS 454 El Camino. In the show room was a ZL-1 Camaro that looked exactly like this tribute. They sold it for $3600!! Years later It was found and restored.

[@TralfazConstruction]

"Original", it really does mean so much.

[@robertkrauss4294]

A Absolutely Magnificent Build!

[@villet271]

I've been to the Fred Gibbs Car Show in La Harpe, Illinois. Awesome show!

[@Clearanceman2]

Thumbs up for saying 11s with slicks and 13s with polyglass. So many shows imply these things could run 11s or 12s on stock tires. I had a neighbor when I was a kid that had a 69 z28 and it was breathed on heavily with a four speed. Ran 12.8 on slicks. Stock rear end is too light and there is little traction, almost none with stock tires. I'd be surprised if it could even run 13s on stock tires. My neighbor could burn 2nd gear as long as he wanted to.

[@fclachine]

Those circlip inspired fog lamps... Pure awesomeness!

[@tacey01]

My older brother had a brand new ‘68 Z28. Impressive!

[@tommymcdonnelljr1582]

I absolutely love those cars I would love to have a 427 ZL1 motor and transmission

[@coreyjones1518]

Remarkable, beautiful car. Thanks for the info. Great video!

[@c.d.scalemodels9198]

That car is sinister.....just the looks of it alone.......it silently tells people, "don't "F" with me!!!!! I love it Bill!!!!

[@rodasrodas]

Feeling a bit divided.. The new cars seem amazing, and I am very curious to watch you talk about the sl and the pantera.. well, all of them. But I will miss the older benz and americana from AEN. Some did seem nice, well kept and quite affordable. ( I watched the w126 300 SWB video numerous times, if I remember you also like those ) I guess that from your perspective must be a bit boring to repeat the same "normal" cars several times. Either way.. thank you for the videos and laughs

[@austinfrazier7325]

Agreed. Seeing Bill review terrible cars and ranting is just as much fun as the really good cars.

[@edwardautrey3671]

Restored to the level of obsession no doubt ! Think i like the Kenny Bell Lincoln more

[@LulaRoberts]

😉.

[@treedeblue]

Bill has a great collection of cars The Chevy needs a 🇺🇸 sticker on its rear window. Excited to see how the new channel turns out!!!

[@treedeblue]

Auto Europa Naples oops, you still rock Uncle Bill!

[@CarlosMartinez-or9sg]

I have a question, didn’t the Mustangs have the 429s at the time or did they run 427s and 428s as well?

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Bill and Mike for sharing historic hotrod

[@walterstrahota2956]

Fantastic car. I have a 1969 Camaro Yenko clone. Nice but not to this level. Everyone asks is it real?

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

Well you are one lucky guy to experience a piece of history .

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Pull into chevrolet dealer for service tell them adjust rough idle

[@VG-iq8xq]

Would be proud to own this one! Would drive it a lot! Have a blast with it! Would love to see a video of it going down the track!

[@kenmcleod8618]

Its just amazing how many holy grails are out there!

[@gordocarbo]

There are more holy grail cars out there than were ever made!

[@donkeytime1704]

A friend of mine has this car and it's in this shape. Jay Leno made him an offer and he turned it down. I saw one online at an auction and it sold for $330,000.00

[@tcrutch65]

I love the sound of flat plane V8s but big block V8s with true duals are the best

[@patcurrie9888]

I get the period correctness, but oh my God no air In FL? The car is A Freakin Amazin!

[@bricktonyb]

This was awesome Bill. Would have liked you to drive, get a rig for that please. Just a couple of whiskeys for the cost. Look forward to ANY new content from you. SIGH!

[@WIDESIDE72]

Nice car. FYI The lights in the lower front balance aren’t fog lights. They are parking lights.

[@neweagletimes4292]

Bill is reading these so here is a comment. Now this is getting real interesting - Bill on great cars! Sure your Silverado made me search for one with the same motor. I even priced out the Marine 12 guage you have clipped to the back seat because I want one. Your Caddys and Buicks and Jeeps I watched because you did them. It was you not the car that got me and everyone getting up everyday to see if Bill did another review that we could enjoy tonight with a libation and a smile when you hit the gas, the nose came up and your chuckle came from the heart because you love this stuff and it shows. You seem to know everything - history, specs, people, materials almost like the engineers that built these things. Shit my wife is taking notice - gotta go!

[@woska7493]

Keep em coming! Need my Bill brand sarcasm fix.

[@gary1705]

WOW!!! What a beast ! 🤜💀

[@smithraymond09029]

Was that Jack Nicholson doing the narrating??????

[@phil955i]

My favourite car in that room tbh. Phil from the UK

[@richardcollins5918]

Wow what a car can you review the gullwing and Pantera soon?

[@gordocarbo]

Rewatched just to hear than mill again! m,f! That sounds good!

[@LulaRoberts]

This is a great vedio Bill 😙😚☺.

[@willjames6240]

Spends hundreds of dollars on a correct water pump pulley that no one will notice, but skimps out on a shifter knob from autozone.

[@stevenzeletski1730]

I watched a jay leno's garage where he featured the same car but a real one not a tribute owned by Tim Allen. This copo here looks better than factory. The ones rolling off the assembly line had some human error but this ones perfect.

[@440mgnm]

Those Satisfactions Are Permanent

[@LulaRoberts]

No red lining Bill !!!

[@danschwartz1908]

Awesome example of pure Ameican Muscle car. Beautiful to see and hear.

[@VeryCoolAlan]

Bill did you quit Auto Europa? Or Sold it? Can you give us an update video or something I'm very curious!!!

[@timsterrett2417]

That's when cars were great.

[@JamesThomas-dn6ee]

That sound is heaven

[@joe6096]

I tune in for Bill's comments no matter the car, but this time the car is actually more impressive than his comments!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

LOL not possible

[@hotboiorlando]

I hope the channel doesn’t change too much I like the way it was and I love whiskey therapy

[@SALTYSPITOONMOTORS]

While I love the 69 Camaro, the only other car in that shop less interesting than this is the Continental. My god, that 300SL is amazing. Bill you should definitely video that if the opportunity arises

[@LulaRoberts]

The Lincoln is a icon in it's class 🤨.

[@gregvarner9562]

An awesome video. I like the direction the channel might go? I hope you still do the reviews occasionally from the dealership though. I will miss the reports on the birds etc otherwise. By the way, not sure if I'd be doing pulls on Davis Blvd. like that but I'm a coward for the law :0

[@erniearambula3525]

It's just so awesome that you could drive off the dealership with a factory muscle car that sounded so awesome now I know the hellcat is faster but a hellcat never sounded as good as this gem of a Camero.

[@gordocarbo]

Not sure about faster...put a sticky tire on this it would be a drivers race. Even if it got beat by some Id still choose the Camaro. Never heard a vid of engine noise in the interior that sounds this fn badazz!

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

That burble from the cam and 12.5:1 CR never gets old and is the epitome of what an American V8 is all about and why it has fans the world over from the Brits to the Japanese to the Scandinavians to name a few. This is Barrett-Jackson worthy and if it doesn't pull $200K minimum on BaT then I would be extremely shocked.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

NOT an original '69 COPO Camaro. Thus, not worth $200k.

[@brucebeckner3049]

Did Marty think you jumped the shark with that hilarious review of the BMW “electric toaster?” (I think Marty is a co-owner of the joint.). Which electric toaster AEN is now trying to sell. . . I’m staying tuned for whatever comes next. . . and hoping the chipper Canadians, the birds, and the lousy detailer will be along for the ride.

[@idessaoutlaw]

I still have my low mileage 1968 RS SS Big Block Camaro that's original except for the 468 solid lift roller motor with the Chevy ZL1 heads and intake. It has the original M22 rock crusher, 12 bolt 3.73 posi rear end, front disc brakes, and deluxe houndstooth interior. I wouldn't trade it for a new Corvette. 🥃😎👌

[@gordocarbo]

Aw....What id do to be able to afford one!! Got a channel with any vids up? Uncle bought a 68 Z new blue/white when I was first born, every time he came over Id ask him to start it up for me & listen to it. Got strange looks from everyone lol

[@idessaoutlaw]

@@gordocarbo I don't have any videos or any pictures handy.. That's cool that your uncle's car was blue and white, cause mine is also blue with the white Z28 stripes on the hood and trunk.. 🍷😎👌

[@HoschtonBoy]

Wowser Bill.

[@bryanclark7608]

What a video. Thanks Bill.

[@hotrodhardin]

All the correct parts but wrong shifter ball, but so perfect.

[@andya857]

The Holy grail of GM Muscle cars is The one and only, 69 Yenko LS7 Camaro .A true unique gem...But ZL1s are next, no doubt..Graet stuff..

[@plumbawl5977]

"America! F*$K YA!"

[@Hapkido82AUS]

Annnnnnd, goosebumps at 19:25 😍

[@tintintintin232323]

Good Gawd! What a fantastic Job, I want one!

[@shanevaughan6980]

Good for you in you new adventure Bill,what was your first car?

[@shanevaughan6980]

Auto Europa Naples awesome that must have been fun to have in high school

[@stammelblindarcher4477]

More horsepower than common sense! Mine was a 69 Firebird ragtop.

[@stammelblindarcher4477]

Edit.... 67