
17 of 36: Matt Avery Documents his 17th GMMG Widebody Camaro
The only example custom painted in the heritage 1969 Chevrolet color, Garnet Red. In his quest to see, experience, and properly document...
17 of 36: Matt Avery Documents his 17th GMMG Widebody Camaro
Updated: Jan 24, 2021
Speedreaders.info, the online source for authoritative reviews of transportation books and media, gave COPO the book the full once-over, publishing their review today. Their findings and impressions took particular note of not just the vehicles modified through the Central Office, but all the backdoor dealings that took place to get them created. Here's what reviewer Helen V. Hutchings had to say:
"Avery does a very credible job presenting the quick cars he's chosen to profile with clear writing and good detail on each. He's also alluded to, and included, some of the intrigue that was going on behind the scenes."
All of the 'intrigue' was developed through first-hand interviews, analyzing period newspaper articles and pouring over pages and pages of internal notes and documents. Without a doubt, the halls of General Motors during the 1960s were abuzz with surreptitious COPO activities.
Another callout noted in the review was the comprehensive data compiled and listed in the back of the book, aimed at helping enthusiasts and owners keep track of these four-wheeled legends. Hutchings reported:
The usefulness of the book as a reference is further enhanced by the two appendices. One lists—in order, and including each car’s VIN—all sixty-nine of the 1969 ZL1 Camaros, and detailing the factory COPO options of each. The second appendix does similarly for the fifty 1968 Gibb Novas also including each car’s VIN.
Speedreaders had plenty more to say and if you want to read their full review, find it HERE.
Updated: Jan 25, 2021
Even though the 48th volume of Olds Cars Weekly has a big section dedicated to the 'Cars of Ford', they couldn't help but make some room for a special review of COPO the book. If you grab a copy of the newest issue of the weekly classic car news magazine, flip to page 44 and you'll find their full report. The wrap-up? "Anyone with a love for Yenko Corvair and Vega Stingers, Yenko Deuce Novas and COPO 427 Chevys will love this beautiful book."
Updated: Jan 25, 2021
The crew over at the ClassicCars.com Journal got their hands on a copy of COPO and gave it a proper test drive, publishing a full review of all the work that went into creating the story. To read what writer William Hall had to say about my book, click HERE.
I especially like how William noted my effort to connect with and document as many first-hand accounts as I could, saying:
Sidebars with personal accounts from mechanics, racers, corporate GM employees, dealers and original owners help bring the narrative to life.
I worked tirelessly to track down all kinds of individuals that could shed light on these cars and their creation and it's rewarding to see other professional journalists take note. To me, their stories were what would bring these vehicles to life and transform them from simple museum pieces to actual used and abused performance machines.