Cars Of Trans-Am Racing 1966-1972 & Copo Camaro, Chevelle & Nova: Chevrolet's Ultimate Muscle Cars 2 Book Set

The COPO Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas of the 1960s and early 1970s were the ultimate high-performance GM muscle cars. While few knew about this back channel program at the time, it is now recognized as the origin of GM’s top muscle cars. Dedicated Chevy racers and car owners were determined to compete head-to-head with Mopar and Ford at the racetrack and on the street. But in order to do so, they needed to circumvent the corporate ban on racing and resolve the restriction of 400-ci engines in intermediate vehicles. Don Yenko and some other creative individuals recognized the loophole in the COPO (Central Office Production Order) system at General Motors. The COPO program was designated for fleet vehicles such as taxicabs, but at the peak of the muscle car wars, it was used to build the ultimate high-performance Chevy muscle cars.

Some horrific on-track accidents compelled General Motors to drop out of racing, yet GM did not want to allow Chrysler and Ford to steal the glory on Sundays while they stood on the sidelines. As a result, GM inconspicuously ran the Chevy racing and high-performance program through back channels, and COPO was an integral part of the program.

Chevy muscle car aficionado and author Matt Avery retraces this special muscle car history of the COPO program and the creation of these premier muscle cars. He has scoured archives and tracked down owners and personnel involved in the program to deliver a comprehensive story and complete guide to the COPO cars.

• The only book on the market exclusively dedicated to the COPO muscle cars

• The book provides insightful and unpublished historical details of the COPO Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, and others

• Profiles of COPO cars and owners deliver a unique perspective of equipment packages and modifications done to various cars

The SCCA Trans-Am racing series launched in 1966 and was designed to showcase a new class of sporty domestic cars racing on road courses. In a few short years, it became the ultimate American automobile showdown, as each major automotive manufacturer participated heavily in the Trans-Am Series. When the modified muscle cars of the series were seen performing well on the country's finest tracks, fans wanted a model of their own in the driveway. These "pony" cars boasted a new look and style not seen before, and their all-around performance eclipsed anything accomplished by production-based American GT cars to this point.

The Cars of Trans-Am Racing is unique in that it focuses on the cars used in this legendary series. These vintage Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, Barracudas, Firebirds, Cougars, and Javelins all have become extremely popular with collectors and enthusiasts today. Seeing them in their "full competition" versions when they were new will bring back many fond memories for those who were fans of this series. Additionally, enthusiasts who enjoy these cars today look to the Trans-Am series cars for styling inspiration and performance hints as part of the growing Pro Touring trend.

Many of these historic cars have been restored to race-ready condition once again. Additional insight and interviews from the original builders and the teams who maintained the cars provide an insider's viewpoint never before seen in print.

First-ever look at this series from a mechanical perspective, rather than a race results perspective.

Features many photographs that have never been seen in print before.

This will be the only book in print on this very popular series.