The Sixth-Gen Camaro Bows Out with a Pair of Special Editions

Good news, Corvette fans! Even as the NASCAR Camaro captures hearts, minds, and imaginations during the lead-up to its unlikely Le Mans debut, its parent company still only has eyes for its firstborn sports car! We knew that the current Camaro – and the nameplate as we know it – was on its way out after the 2024 model year wraps on January 1st. After the teaser in March, many of us were holding out hope for an all-out effort from the Bow Tie as it sends its iconic pony car into the sunset. We weren’t expecting 1,025-horse “Last Call” levels of pomp and circumstance, but rumors of a Cadillac-derived 18 HP bump to the top-dog ZL1’s LT4 V8 and the option to spec the Alpha coupe with the same set of carbon ceramics that stop its four-door platform mates seemed like reasonable retirement wishes.

Enter The Panther

Alas, it is not to be. Special 2024 Camaro number one has officially made the transition from mysterious teaser to full-on press release. Mechanically, the sixth rendition of the Chevrolet Camaro marches into its ninth and final model year unchanged; there will be no Shelby-embarrassing brakes or small but meaningful power boosts. Instead, the headliner is a Collector’s Edition that brings the model full circle by harkening back to the “Panther” codename worn by the Mustang-fighting two-door that would eventually become the first Camaro in 1967. On LT/RS, LT1, and SS trims, this commemorative package plays on the big cat theme with a new shade of sparkly dark paint that has been fittingly dubbed Panther Black Metallic Tintcoat. The new hue is paired with a set of 20-inch satin black forged wheels (a polished finish is optional), matching satin black accent stripes, the aggressive 1LE splitter, and, if you order a coupe, a ZL1-style spoiler. There’s also exclusive front fender script badging, unique black interior treatments, a panther on the steering wheel, and special laser-etched floor mats. Adding all of this “Panthering” to your sub-supercharged ’24 Camaro will run between $4,995 and $5,995, depending on trim level.

The ZL1 flips the script a bit with its own shade of Panther Black, which will be the first matte paint ever to grace a factory Camaro. These non-track pack ZL1s get the hard-core 1LE’s front splitter (which is different from the SS 1LE unit mentioned above). They also get the 1LE’s big carbon fiber wing, as long as a fixed roof is selected at ordering time. To top off the whole bundle, Collector’s ZL1s also get a Black Metallic “mohawk” stripe, red calipers for their steel Brembos, and a slick set of black lug nuts. The real kicker is that each ZL1 comes with a sequential serial number and will be limited to just 350 units. Panther’d ZL1s will all have a $14,995 premium tacked on to their MSRPs.

But wait, there’s more! All CEs come with a welcome kit containing a pair of posters that commemorate all six generations of “America’s Favorite Race Car,” and Collector’s ZL1 buyers also get a bespoke Canfield Sport 45mm watch from Shinola with an inscribed serial number matching their car.

Garage 56 Edition

If ever there was a cause for celebration, it is the previously mentioned and France-bound shock and awe partnership between Chevrolet, NASCAR, IMSA, Goodyear, and Hendrick Motorsports. The Garage 56 Le Mans entry spawned its own customer special edition of the Camaro ZL1 this week. The road-going G65 apes the race car’s look by pulling a similar, but toned-down white and gold graphics package over the new-for-’24 Riptide Blue paint. The highlight of the livery is the monochrome stars and stripes that extend over the roof from their genesis on the ZL1’s distinctive hood cowl. Also present are a mix of interior and exterior NASCAR 75th Anniversary, Garage 56, and Hendrick Motorsports badges, along with satin mirrors, and a black/carbon fuel door. Each buyer can up their car’s visual impact with a choice of three different graphics packages, including “24” door decals that mimic the number on the race car – and one of Hendrick’s most notable team numbers. A bespoke aero package ties the whole thing together with a Cup car-style wicker bill spoiler and the race car-like dive planes from the ZL1 1LE’s previously exclusive front fascia. The G56 Edition will be even rarer than the Panther, with just 56 planned examples. Pricing has yet to be announced, but production on 2024 Camaros is slated to begin “later this year.”

Both special editions are sure to be the most valuable sixth-gen cars in the long run, and while we think the Corvette’s big little brother deserved a more significant send-off, we have to count our blessings that it got a second chance at life after its 2002 discontinuation in the first place! Mom and Dad might not give it its due compared to its outgoing mid-engine sibling, but it still had one heck of an impressive run! Godspeed, Camaro, you will be missed!

Source:
Chevrolet: Panther Special Edition and Garage 56 Camaro

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