I sometimes get crap from fellow enthusiasts for saying that newer muscle cars are “better” than older muscle cars. It’s funny, since most of the people that argue with me on this actually own new or newer cars as well, which I do not. I don’t own anything newer than 1994, with the majority of my cars and trucks being 1980s and older. I don’t say that modern muscle cars are better in every way, just in the measurable ways. They are quicker, handle better, are safer, and drive nicer than any of the old stuff did new. That doesn’t mean I want one of the new ones, as much as anything because I could never afford one, but also because I just prefer old stuff that has personality and soul.
But what about factory drag package cars? There have been a ton of them over the years, from the Big Three, and everyone has a favorite. But is one the best of all? Tommy Lee Byrd thinks that the best one is the new COPO 632. And he’s an old car lover! See what he has to say.
Video Description:
The 632 COPO Camaro is proof that we’re living in the GOOD OL’ DAYS right now! I’m making this video so we can look back on it fifty years from now and remember the days when you could buy a BRAND NEW Camaro factory drag car from your Chevrolet dealership. Not just a car with a “few” special components, but a car with 1,000 horsepower, thanks to a naturally aspirated 632ci big block Chevy, backed by a TH400. These cars are instant collectibles, and I’m sure most of them will never be raced…they’ll just be passed around to different collections with all of their factory paperwork intact.
This example, a 2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro serial number 24, passed through the Mecum Auctions event in Chattanooga, Tennessee recently and was bid up to $175,000, but it did not meet the reserve. I would imagine these 632 COPOs will bring north of $200k in front of the right audience. The point is…factory drag cars are cool, but they don’t get much cooler than this. Roll cage, racing seats, harnesses, window net, racing shifter, Weld wheels, Hoosier slicks, wheelie bars, parachute, kill switch, the list of racing components goes on and on. Four digit horsepower numbers.
Is it the baddest factory drag car on the planet? I think so.
