Chevrolet’s COPO Camaro program has long been a secret handshake in the world of drag racing. Originally born in 1969 through the Central Office Production Order system, COPO cars bypassed standard dealership limitations to pack serious performance hardware. The 2022 COPO Camaro keeps that tradition alive with a limited-production run built solely for the quarter-mile.
A purpose-built drag car with no street manners
Unlike a standard Camaro, the COPO isn’t designed for commuting or Sunday drives. It’s a factory-built drag racer, offered only as a turnkey track car without a VIN. That means you won’t see one on public roads, but you might catch it staging at an NHRA-sanctioned event. Chevrolet designed the 2022 COPO to meet strict racing regulations while delivering blistering performance off the line.
Three powertrains, including a massive big block
Chevrolet offered three engine choices for the 2022 model year. At the top of the list is a naturally aspirated 572-cubic-inch big block V8, the largest engine ever fitted in a COPO Camaro. Buyers could also opt for a supercharged 350-cubic-inch small block or a naturally aspirated 427-cubic-inch V8. All engines were paired with a race-spec automatic transmission and built to withstand repeated drag-strip launches.
Limited availability and collector appeal
The COPO Camaro is produced in very small numbers, with only 69 examples typically built to echo the 1969 origins. Each one comes with NHRA certification, lightweight construction, and safety equipment for competitive racing. Because they’re not street legal, they’re more often seen as rare collector pieces or weekend drag strip weapons. For Chevrolet, the 2022 COPO was another reminder that the Camaro name still carries serious weight in American performance history.
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