LAS VEGAS – The last 2012 COPO Camaro debuted today at the SEMA Show, in Las Vegas, and it’s headed to the auction block. Chevrolet will sell the Inferno Orange Metallic convertible race car at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, in January, to benefit the American Heart Association.

A few factors should make this supercharged drop-top more enticing to bidders:

*It’s one of 69 COPO Camaro race cars built by Chevrolet for 2012 – and it’s car number 69 of the sequenced production matched to its engine
*It’s one of only two convertibles built – the other being car number 68 (which has been set aside by Chevrolet and isn’t planned for public sale)
*It’s one of 20 cars built with the 327 engine and 4.0L supercharger
*It’s the only ’12 COPO Camaro painted Inferno Orange Metallic – and features additional custom graphics and special interior trim
*It’s the only example built with a Turbo 400 three-speed automatic transmission.

The top is fully operational, although it must be up when racing, per NHRA rules.

“The COPO Camaro program has been a special program and there’s not a better way to close out the 2012 racing season than with the final – and most unique – one of the production run,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Chevrolet is proud to once again partner with the American Heart Association at Barrett-Jackson for the sale of this COPO Camaro convertible. It will make a great race car or collector vehicle for a lucky bidder, who will be buying a piece of history.

“I am also happy to announce that due to strong customer demand we will produce another run of 69 COPO Camaros for 2013. More than 3,000 hand-raisers expressed interest in buying a COPO after we introduced the car at SEMA last year. We are excited to support these grassroots motorsports enthusiasts in their Stock Eliminator and Super Stock drag racing efforts,” said Campbell.

The last 2012 COPO Camaro is powered by the COPO 327 engine that features a 4.0L Whipple supercharger, for an NHRA-certified output of 550 horsepower. The 2012 COPO Camaros were also available with a supercharged 327 engine featuring a smaller, 2.9-liter supercharger and a naturally aspirated 427 engine. All of the engines were assembled at GM’s unique Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich., where the LS7 and LS9 production engines for the Corvette Z06 and Corvette ZR1, respectively, are built, along with select Chevrolet Performance crate engines.

All COPO Camaro were built by hand starting with hardware from the Oshawa assembly plant that manufactures regular-production Camaros, including the same “body in white” body shells racers can purchase from Chevrolet Performance to build their own dedicated race car. Each was fitted with an NHRA-approved roll cage and other safety equipment, along with racing chassis and suspension components – including a unique solid rear axle system in place of a regular-production Camaro’s independent rear axle. The cars rolled off the line wearing lightweight Bogart racing wheels and Hoosier racing tires.

Although only 69 production models were built for 2012, many of the fundamental components used to create the cars – including all of the hand-assembled racing engines – are available from Chevrolet Performance and the licensed aftermarket manufacturers who supplied them. They are listed in a special COPO section of the new 2013 Chevrolet Performance catalog, which debuted at the SEMA Show and is now available from Chevrolet dealers or by ordering online at chevroletperformance.com.

Also available from Chevrolet Performance is a “build book,” which provides an overview of the cars’ assembly process.

“Not everyone could purchase a COPO Camaro production model in 2012, but we are making it easier to build one from the ground up,” said Campbell. “From the body in white to the COPO crate engines, we offer the parts and a build book to replicate these quick race cars in your garage.”

Racing enthusiasts who are interested in more information on the COPO program – including registering their interest in one of the 2013 COPO Camaros –can go to www.chevroletperformance.com to sign up for COPO Camaro updates through the Fuel online newsletter. They can also follow the latest COPO information at theblock.com – the online automotive community powered by Chevrolet Performance.

Story by Carfolio.com

See full 2012 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Convertible Gallery

The final 2012 COPO Camaro is one of two convertibles and the only one of the 69-car run painted Inferno Orange Metallic. It will be auctioned in January to benefit the American Heart Association.

The final 2012 COPO Camaro is one of two convertibles and the only one of the 69-car run painted Inferno Orange Metallic. It will be auctioned in January to benefit the American Heart Association.