- 1969 COPO 9561 L72 427/425 HP
- Ordered new by Vincent Tarantola, founder of Vitar Engineering
- Vitar Racing Products test mule
- National Super Stock Eliminator class winner at AHRA Super Nationals in 1970
- Well documented owner history and racing accomplishments including: NHRA, IHRA, and AHRA sanctioned events
- Certificate of verification by the COPO Connection
One of the more high profile Super Stock Camaros in 1969 was this Hugger Orange COPO 9561 X44 coupe equipped with the L72 427/425 HP big block engine, a 3-speed automatic and very little else. Ordered new through H.M. Williams Chevrolet of Corona, New York by Vitar Engineering founder Vince Tarantola, its prime mission was to serve as a test mule for Vitar product development and to promote the Vitar brand to other racers. Tarantola prepared the chassis while the renowned Jack Merkel worked his magic readying the 427 for competition. The car was an immediate success, winning its class at numerous local tracks and eventually taking National Super Stock eliminator at the AHRA Super Nationals in 1970.
A regular competitor at NHRA, IHRA and AHRA events, the car was raced by various documented owners through the mid-1980s, scoring class wins at Indy in 1970,’78,’79 and ‘83; the Columbus Springnationals in 1979, the Gatornationals in 1980 and the Summernationals at Englishtown in 1977, ’83 and ’84.
