Gorries Black Panther Camaro

[Jon Mello]

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.

[Jon Mello]

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.

[Jon Mello]

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

[vtfb68]

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

[Jon Mello]

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.

[SMKZ28]

Great stuff on a little known Camaro.  That is why I love this site.  Thanks Jon and Mike!

[satman]

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

[RUNUTZ]

Someone in Atlanta claimed to have one (for sale) not long ago.

[group/7]

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

[Jon Mello]

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.

[group/7]

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

[group/7]

2nd pic.

Mike

[group/7]

While searching found this 

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-black-panther-camaro.html 

[Jon Mello]

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

[Zedder]

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.