COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics

George Lyons · 12-10-2012, 02:29 PM

After months of planning I completed the installation of my Nostalgic themed graphics package on my new 427 COPO Camaro. Saturday at my annual garage Christmas party I showed the car off for the first time to a garage full of Erie, PA based car nuts and long term racers. I had this idea in my head since my initial attempt to land a COPO to go relive some of those long ago days that myself and many close friends experienced in the past. From the reaction on Saturday, I think the car will be appreciated for what it is and hopefully what it can do this coming Spring.
Old time racers from the North East will need little explanation but let me fill you in a bit. First off, Gemlers Hi-Performance Car Center here in Erie was operated by Jim & Jere Gemler. Jim ran a '62 409 from new, still has it and Jere bought a '69 Yenko 427 Camaro brand new, still has it and raced it from Day One fom Stock and up thru M/P. Close association with Ron Hutter and Al Krem made for some great success including a spectacular Vega Pro-Stock. They will be involved with my new COPO for sure.
B&H Speed Parts again here in Erie was operated by my greatly missed friend, George Helsel. George had the pre-eminent Speed Shop in the area for decades and serviced racers of all kinds. I know he will be watching from another place making sure I keep it together.
Jim Cordia had Cordia Chevrolet in Clymer, NY just across the state line. Cordia was a small volume dealer but always at the cutting edge of Chevrolet performance cars and parts thru the 60's and 70's. Jim was an avid drag racer and attained national recognition with Jere Stahl running a couple Junior Stocker '56 and '57 Chevys. Jim closed the door in 2010 as a Chevrolet dealer but remains in the area, hopefully on my very informal COPO race team.
So there you have it, now we need some Springtime weather to try out this new COPO and have some fun with my friends.

CycloneFE · 12-10-2012, 02:58 PM

George, You have a beautiful car and I wish you the best with it.

Hemi Moose · 12-10-2012, 03:15 PM

A very cool story...and best of luck with your new ride.

Jack Matyas · 12-10-2012, 03:25 PM

Cool George , its waaaaaay cool . BTW , nice shade of red .

Rat Raceway · 12-10-2012, 04:36 PM

Looks great Congrats!

John Duzac · 12-10-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Cool George , its waaaaaay cool . BTW , nice shade of red .

Alright Jack, where are the pictures from your new COPO? We know you got one. Don't be shy, show the thing off!
I wish I had one...no doubt it would be a stick. Good luck to you Jack and to everyone who made the committment to run one of these fine cars.

Merry Christmas all. Lets hope we have a place to race in 2013!

rawhide · 12-10-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Duzac

Alright Jack, where are the pictures from your new COPO? We know you got one. Don't be shy, show the thing off!
I wish I had one...no doubt it would be a stick. Good luck to you Jack and to everyone who made the committment to run one of these fine cars.

Merry Christmas all. Lets hope we have a place to race in 2013!

Jack has a sticky thread about his new car.
regards, Roland

GUMP · 12-11-2012, 12:49 AM

Looking good!

12-10-2012, 02:29 PM	#1
George Lyons Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics After months of planning I completed the installation of my Nostalgic themed graphics package on my new 427 COPO Camaro. Saturday at my annual garage Christmas party I showed the car off for the first time to a garage full of Erie, PA based car nuts and long term racers. I had this idea in my head since my initial attempt to land a COPO to go relive some of those long ago days that myself and many close friends experienced in the past. From the reaction on Saturday, I think the car will be appreciated for what it is and hopefully what it can do this coming Spring. Old time racers from the North East will need little explanation but let me fill you in a bit. First off, Gemlers Hi-Performance Car Center here in Erie was operated by Jim & Jere Gemler. Jim ran a '62 409 from new, still has it and Jere bought a '69 Yenko 427 Camaro brand new, still has it and raced it from Day One fom Stock and up thru M/P. Close association with Ron Hutter and Al Krem made for some great success including a spectacular Vega Pro-Stock. They will be involved with my new COPO for sure. B&H Speed Parts again here in Erie was operated by my greatly missed friend, George Helsel. George had the pre-eminent Speed Shop in the area for decades and serviced racers of all kinds. I know he will be watching from another place making sure I keep it together. Jim Cordia had Cordia Chevrolet in Clymer, NY just across the state line. Cordia was a small volume dealer but always at the cutting edge of Chevrolet performance cars and parts thru the 60's and 70's. Jim was an avid drag racer and attained national recognition with Jere Stahl running a couple Junior Stocker '56 and '57 Chevys. Jim closed the door in 2010 as a Chevrolet dealer but remains in the area, hopefully on my very informal COPO race team. So there you have it, now we need some Springtime weather to try out this new COPO and have some fun with my friends. Attached Thumbnails

12-10-2012, 02:58 PM	#2
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics George, You have a beautiful car and I wish you the best with it. __________________ Steve Jackson

12-10-2012, 03:15 PM	#3
Hemi Moose VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,824 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics A very cool story...and best of luck with your new ride.

12-10-2012, 03:25 PM	#4
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,828 Likes: 335 Liked 1,578 Times in 322 Posts	Re: COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics Cool George , its waaaaaay cool . BTW , nice shade of red . __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

12-11-2012, 12:49 AM	#8
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,665 Likes: 1,705 Liked 1,732 Times in 418 Posts	Re: COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics Looking good!

12-10-2012, 04:36 PM	#5
Rat Raceway Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Denver Co Posts: 409 Likes: 282 Liked 35 Times in 17 Posts	Re: COPO #53 debuts Nostalgic Graphics Looks great Congrats!