CRG Discussion Forum
Model Specific Discussions => Trans-Am Camaros => Topic started by: Jon Mello on June 14, 2014, 03:49:08 PM
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Gorries Black Panther Camaro road test from the May '67 issue of Canada's Track & Traffic magazine, courtesy of Mike Scott (group/7).
The Black Panther package was available on any V-8 model, although I'm not sure about a convertible. There were even two '67 Z-28s
converted into Black Panthers. The car in the article is 427-powered although, for some odd reason, the engine shown is a small block.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/TampTmay67cover_zps453deaba.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/TampTmay67cover_zps453deaba.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/panther-1_zpsd0623254.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/panther-1_zpsd0623254.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/panther-2_zps214dcd17.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/panther-2_zps214dcd17.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/gorriespantherad_zpsfc10dfab.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/gorriespantherad_zpsfc10dfab.jpg.html)
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Craig Fisher raced one of the Gorries Black Panther Z-28s in the Trans-Am series. This one came with a gold interior. The other car was
Craig Fisher's street Z-28 and it had a black interior. Craig sold it to Hugh Dibley over in England and Hugh turned it into a road racer.
It was sold to Pierre Du Plessis, who I have heard wrecked it in South Africa. If it was rebuilt, I don't know.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Daytona24HrCraigFisher_zps6ca0cb23.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Daytona24HrCraigFisher_zps6ca0cb23.jpg.html)
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An article on Bob Simonen's Black Panther Camaro. He's the original owner!
http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-12-28/in-search-of-the-elusive-black-panther
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Jon,
business week 's story claims ZL-1 427 in 1967, what is the story on that? Would you know what kind of " Mag" wheels they used?
Victor
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The reference to a ZL-1 engine for 1967 is not correct. Somehow the author got some bogus information. An L-72 engine is what should have been mentioned.
As for mag wheels, the only ones I've seen on them were Magnum 500 "mag-style" wheels except for the two road racers, which used American mags.
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Great stuff on a little known Camaro. That is why I love this site. Thanks Jon and Mike!
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Gorries was a very cool dealership by Canadian standards .......... As teenager I remember visiting their used car lot and drooling over a large collection quality used Corvettes.
AL
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Someone in Atlanta claimed to have one (for sale) not long ago.
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here's a link to a pic of Dibley's ex Craig Fisher Black Panther in England, 1969 ? that is on the trans am face book page. hope the link works, if it's been seen before, apologies
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203365624096429&set=o.109038482465812&type=3&theater
Mike (group/7) in Canada
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Nice article from the Windsor Star newspaper. Looks like other dealers paid Gorries to be a franchise and then could create their own Black Panthers from a car in stock or special ordered.
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Was talking to friend about these cars tonight, here are a couple of things I have in my files, this is in the U.K, I believe to be the
one Jon mentions above with pic that went to Hugh Dibley. Is the info in the green square correct ?
Mike
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2nd pic.
Mike
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While searching found this ;)
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-black-panther-camaro.html
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Mike,
Hugh Dibley did not drive the Camaro at Daytona. He was looking for a Z-28 to race and Penske's friend George Wintersteen put him in touch with Craig Fisher. Dibley bought Fisher's Black Panther street car less engine and this was coordinated through Wintersteen. I have Craig Fisher's letters documenting this. Here's a neat video of the '67 BOAC race at Brand's Hatch with some screen footage of Dibley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov5ZHn7QkFs
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It’s interesting that Craig’s BP has white pin stripes instead of the gold ones found on other BP’s. For those interested in these cars, Bob’s car above does not have correct/original BP emblems nor the correct/original 007 panel.