To further capitalize on the introduction of the new Camaro, a Chevy dealer in Toronto, Ontario came up with a specially equipped, low-volume Camaro they called the Black Panther. Legend has it that only 50 were made, painted gloss black with gold trim and a gold interior. They were striking in appearance, but stock mechanically. This ’67 Camaro is a clone of those cars, but not totally true to the original. It’s available in Phoenix, Arizona and here on craigslist for $59,000. Thanks, Pat L., for finding this unusual pony car for us!
Gorries Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Canada cooked up the Black Panther edition to generate more floor traffic. Not that any help was really needed because the new Camaro was a popular adversary for the Ford Mustang. The Black Panther was a cosmetic package where they would all look alike. Besides the color scheme already mentioned, they were optioned with RPO Z21 (Exterior Molding Group) and RPO Z23 (Interior Décor Group). The Deluxe interior came with molded door panels, a trunk mat, seat trim, bright pedals and roof rail moldings. But they weren’t meant to be muscle cars, with the typical powerplant being the 327 V8 with a 2-barrel. Whether 50 was the intended number or not, that’s all of these that were supposedly built and sold.
There was one unusual feature that wasn’t standard in the Black Panther, so they all didn’t come with it. The optional “007 panel” was a secret compartment in the console that contained gold toggle non-functioning, switchgear like that in the famed James Bond Aston Martin. It’s not clear what the connection here was between the Black Panther and 007 because the Bond movie out that year, “You Only Live Twice,” didn’t feature a black Camaro.
The seller’s car is a clone or tribute, whichever you prefer to call it. That doesn’t mean that it’s not anything short of spectacular, because it is a beauty. We don’t know if any of the original Black Panthers came as either a Super Sport or Rally Sport, but this car is set up as both. We’re told this is a true SS/RS car, so the foundation was already laid for the transformation. And it has the 007 gadgetry in the console, complete with rocket launchers, missiles, and laser beam switches!
Everything looks pretty tidy on this Camaro, inside and out, but there are a few blemishes. For example, the seller says it has small rash on the back left quarter panel from being moved around as it was once part of a museum collection, hence the mere 7,700 original miles on the odometer. Also a few almost unnoticeable rock chips can be found here and there if you look hard. The interior is especially engaging, and the James Bond doodads would be great for starting a conversation.
Mechanically, it’s an SS under the hood with a 396 cubic inch V8 instead of the typical 327 Black Panther fare. The seller says it starts up and runs perfectly and will chirp the rear tires through the car’s 4-speed Hurst shifter. Because the car was on display for an extended period, the seller performed a bit of maintenance so it would be roadworthy, including some suspension components, tires, fluids and other routine functions. The car’s stereo system is aftermarket, but the original radio was retained.
This clone might bring the total Black Panther count to 51, but this may be the only was equipped this way and could be in better shape than many that may have survived. The seller sounds like the entrepreneurial type as he will consider “creative” trades of equal or greater value, such as other cars, boats, off-road vehicles, property gold and even Bitcoin. It’s hard to attach a value to a possible one-off car like this, so is a 1967 Camaro SS/RS in this condition with a 396 and 4-speed a near $60,000 car?
Goldfinger tie in? Lol
That was `64. A couple years earlier.
Don’t quite understand the very low mileage desirable RS/SS 396 options then make it a clone of something that actually wasn’t (so is it really a clone then?). Beautiful car without the Black Panther Stuff. $60 may be a little high with the “Clone” options added. Would rather have it in factory configuration for that kind of money and then market it as a 7700 mile survivor. To qoute the seller, “Flip-up the center console to reveal the “control panel” you can’t help but feel like you are James Bond engaging villains on the road. It is so gratifying!” I’m sure it will be so gratifying to the seller when he gets his $60k for a clone with a non-factory radio, non-redline tires installed, non-James Bond, non-original Black Panther, as he’s advertising as he mentions original “You can buy with confidence that this is a great car, and has many miles and years to enjoy a highly original, and very special 1967 SS/RS Black Panther 007 James Bond edition Camaro!” Seller has 21 pics but doesn’t show the “very small rash on the back left q panel (my guess is from being moved around the museum).” For the asking price of $60k, the damage should be shown.
I would only pay $60,000 for this car if the machine guns, rocket launchers, laser beams and oil slick were fully functional.
All that work and no A/C. In Arizona. In a black car. Instead of the Black Panther they should’ve called it ‘the Black Sauna’.
No a/c was the norm for muscle cars from Toronto. If it had a/c we would remove the compressor.
But…this car’s not from Toronto. It’s a foolish waste of an, otherwise, decent car.
Since it’s a modified creation adding an aftermarket would have helped its value, especially with that color combination.
Steve R
As is always the case Steve, the buyer is free to ad or remove anything they please.
Perhaps, the goofiest thing I have seen, as of late. Utterly ridiculous nonsense added to this car, and get rid of the stupid “Black Panther” vinyl graphics! What a waste…a true idiot owned this car.
Agree with Don……nice car but goofy add on’s really distract from it.
What was the guy thinking when he did this ? Way too much time on his hands.
Surprised the guy who came up with the ridiculous idea wasn’t somehow cast as a racist.
If he was from this side of the border he would have been. For now, Canada doesn’t have as many idiots running around crying about every perceived slight.
As it sits, there is plenty of reasons to call out this car. However, they are all related to a lack of good taste.
Steve R
I would have kept the high revvin’ 327 but now with the 396, I guess it is shaken not stirred.
Sorry
Truthfully, this reminded me more of Lane’s car in Better Off Dead..
https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/robs-movie-muscle-the-1967-chevy-camaro-rs-ss-from-better-off-dead/
Maybe its Huey Newtons former ride. Totally ridiculous trying to tie this car to 007, I dont understand the relationship at all, other wise a very nice first year SS/RS with a very desirable drive train. I dont understand how any of the “Secret Agent” doohickies add any value to the car ?
( “… finding this unusual pony car for us!” PONY CAR??? Seriously, Russ??? )
Alan, back in the day Pony cars is what was called Muscle cars today. I never liked the terminology but the press used it extensively.
Original pony car was Mustang. Later, Mustang competitors, Camaro, Barracuda, etc, shared the term. I never heard anybody call a GTO or a 396 Chevelle a pony car.
“Pony car” was always used in reference to the Camaro/Firebird, Mustang/Cougar, Javelin/AMX, and Challenger/Barracuda. It was never in reference to mid-sized muscle cars, at least properly.
The whole genre was referred to as pony cars, although the term was coined after the Mustang. A Camaro was considered a pony car.
Tough crowd today.
The only Bond items I’d want are a sunroof, and an ejector seat.
What a shame! Should have left it stock. 🤦🏻♂️
I live 60 miles away from downtown Toronto. This makes sense to me. In Arizona, I don’t get that.
Never seen one quite like this 67 Camaro , basically a waste of time and money . The real deal info on Camaro’s is that the name Black Panther was the original name for the car ,but GM changed the name to Camaro meaning Friend ie.. right before the final sealing of the changes of the car . I have never seen or heard of such a car from any type of factory production . I think the owner of this car should of left it in it’s original form as it has it most value as factory original . Good thing GM changed the name to Camaro . Based on the can of worms society we now live in today .
The stripes above and below the BLACK PANTHER on the front end looks like a CHILD did them! If this represents the quality of the car, I won PASS.