Chevelle Fender
What happened to the Black Panther?
In 1954, Ford Motor Company introduced the Mustang, which had been designed to compete with the Chevrolet Corvair and Chevy II. The Mustang was a phenomenal success, and immediately prompted GM to start to work against a competitor. The result was Project XP-836. The XP-836 was heading to the market new young people who had adopted for the Mustang.
Named Panther, this project was presented to the automotive press and promoted as the equivalent of GM Mustang. Indeed, it was often called Mustang Chevy and GM had taken much of the marketing formula used to promote the Mustang.
The script was accompanied by Panther leaping cat emblem that resembled those used by Jaguar. At this time, the image of the XP-836 was the jungle cat advance the Mustang.
But in early 1966, Ralph Nader has launched an attack on the Corvair. This worried the GM management and were afraid that the name of Pantera, with the emblems suggest aggression and attract the attention of security cross.
Consequently, the marketing department began searching for a new name. Currently all models as the Corvair, Chevelle, Corvette and Chevy II began with the letter C. In search of another name C, the vendors reviewed in both French and Spanish dictionaries. The result was the Camaro, which means hot friend.
This will follow the line C and change the image of the new car. As the new project name several names replaced within the company, outside the company started some controversy about the meaning of the name Camaro.
Afraid of an image problem before the new car had left the assembly line, GM held a national press conference where more than 200 journalists were invited. During the conference, GM launched the name of the public and succeeded in maintaining a positive image for the car.
Then, in 1967 delivered 212 000 Chevrolet Camaro dealer showrooms. Like the Mustang, the Camaro was available with a variety of options that allow buyers to customize their purchases. The Camaro attracted some buyers who wanted high-performance options. Canadians in Toronto were perhaps the most fortunate of this group. The Gorries Chevrolet / Oldsmobile dealership in Toronto put their knowledge race and virtually rebuilt using some of the Camaro in Black Panthers.
Gorries added high-powered front coils, rear leaf reinforcements, shock tubular front disc brakes, along with the power assist brakes and steering. Also equipped Camaro with 500 magnum wheels and low profile tires Uniroyal.
The body was modified by painting in black with a gold band around his nose. A gold stripe was painted during the Bodyline on the rocker panel area. Just below the Bodyline top, a gold pinstripe was added. A Black Panther nameplate was mounted on the leading edge of each fender and the trunk lid. The Panther receive a gold interior and were available with the options a buyer could wish for.
The guests also had an engine option 327 or 427 V-8.
It is believed that over fifty black panthers were originally produced by Gorries. Only one is known today. This is owned by Bob and Lorraine Simonen in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
About the Author
Richmond Car Rental
Vitamin R Chevelle cover