Drag Race Development Program, new COPO Camaro advance drag-racing legacy

2017 COPO Camaro show car
The 2017 COPO Camaro program extends the production legacy that was re-started in 2012 and based on the special-order high-performance Camaro models created in 1969 to win on the drag strip.

Chevrolet’s 2017 COPO Camaro show car — serial number 01 of 69 — was introduced today and features a supercharged 350 engine, custom Weld racing wheels and a unique “anodized” concept version of the production Hyper Blue Metallic exterior color. It will be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in January 2017, with proceeds to benefit United Way.

Like the previous editions, the 2017 COPO Camaro is designed for NHRA’s Stock Eliminator classes. The production race cars are fitted with racing chassis and suspension components, including a unique solid rear axle system in place of a regular-production Camaro’s independent rear axle.

Additional details include:

• Lightweight, adjustable coil-over strut front suspension
• Four-link rear suspension with double-adjustable coil-over shocks, Panhard bar and stabilizer bar
• Rear axle with an aluminum center section featuring a lightweight steel spool and 40-spline gun-drilled axle shafts
• Lightweight, drag-race manual four-wheel disc brakes (unassisted)
• Custom manual steering rack
• Fuel cell with built-in high-pressure fuel pump
• Unique racing wire harness

When it comes to horsepower, racers can select from a variety of supercharged and naturally aspirated LS- and LT-family engines, including a supercharged 350 (5.7L), a naturally aspirated 427 (7.0L) engine and an LT-based, direct-injected 376 (6.2L) engine. The engines are backed by an SFI-approved ATI TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.

Each COPO Camaro race car is built by hand starting with production hardware, including the same body-in-white used for production models.

Racers interested in purchasing one of the 2017 COPO Camaro race cars must register at Chevrolet.com/COPO by Dec. 15, 2016. An independent third party will randomly select from the pool of interested customers. Those selected will be contacted in the first quarter of 2017.

Enthusiasts can also follow updates on the 2017 COPO Camaro program at theBlock.com.

The Camaro SS Drag Race Development test car and COPO Camaro show car are part of approximately 20 Chevrolet models on display this week at the SEMA Show.

Follow the action at ChevySEMA.com, #CHEVYSEMA and @ChevroletPerformance on Instagram and Facebook.

Kristi Hoff

Public Relations CamaroNews.com

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