Hi Bill. The story is not believable. They could not have ordered the car in September 1968. I ordered My L72 SS427 Impala then and it took 4 months to build with My dealer, the owner, checking on the assembly. Hugger orange or what ever the car was painted is not stamped on the cowl tag. It would make the car a COPO. There should be a POP or a window sticker or a dealer order sheet. I have all of mine to prove My car is a 1 owner ordered car. I even did the dealer prep on it and signed it. L72 or whatever engine the car was ordered with would "not" make it a COPO.. The 454 racing engine was installed when it became available over the counter. Contact the New York Dealer. NICK L72