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2020 COPO CAMARO: LAST CALL AS FUTURE OF PROGRAM IS UNCERTAIN

COVID Forces Chevy To Ditch The Lottery System – If You Want One, Order One!

2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.

COVID-19 continues to upend the automotive industry, and the Chevrolet COPO Camaro is just the latest example. Limited to just 69 orders each year since it was re-introduced in 2012, the NHRA-sanctioned dragster was offered to a pool of willing customers via a lottery system. The same rings true for the 2020 COPO Camaro, but the turbulence of the year had customers thinking twice about discretionary spending (it’s not like one could drive the COPO on the road as it’s not a street legal muscle car), and that’s left a lot of unfilled orders. That’s led to Chevy dropping the lottery system. So, if you want one, go find a participating dealer.

Chevrolet showed off the 2020 COPO Camaro at the 2019 SEMA Show, highlighted by the one-of-one “John Force Edition.” The brand also simplified the engine options of the COPO from previous years. Dropped is the 302-cubic inch (5.0L) V8 from the 2019 model year, and in its place is a larger LSX-based, naturally aspirated 427 cubic-inch V8 (7.0L). The other motor is the LSX-based 350 engine with the 2.65L Magnuson supercharger found in the John Force Edition COPO Camaro. The revised engine also features all-new LSX-SC cylinder heads.

2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition
Image via Chevrolet

Via Dragzine:

“Now is the time to become a member of an elite club – the COPO Camaro family. This is your chance to own a piece of drag racing history. With fewer than 650 in existence, the track‑use‑only COPO Camaro is a work of art handcrafted for you by GM engineers, making it the perfect addition to your collection or racing team. Stand out in your 20‍20 COPO Camaro with more color options than ever before: two John Force‑inspired options, four base colors, and seven historic paint schemes honoring the original 19‍69 COPO Camaro. It’s time to be the center of attention.”

The publication also received word from Todd Gallant, Chevrolet Performance COPO and Promotions Manager, that claims there are “a couple of handfuls” of 2020 COPO Camaro drag cars left, but stopped short of saying how many. But while this news may be positive for some collectors and hobbyists, there’s also some bad news.

Gallant also told Dragzine that the future of the COPO program is in flux beyond 2020, which probably has everything to do with GM’s “All Electric Future™” ploy. This also adds credence to our original report from 2019 that the Chevrolet Camaro nameplate is expected to go dormant as the automaker emphasizes electric vehicles. Could the Camaro come back as an EV? Perhaps. But given the minimal appetite for one, it would appear unlikely at the moment.

The deadline for order submissions is November 30, 20‍20. And “when they’re gone, they’re gone for good.”

2020 COPO Camaro
Image via Chevrolet.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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