Summary

• The IROC-Z was born out of a racing sequence, making it a singular Camaro trim stage with Corvette DNA.
• The IROC-Z had a wide range of low-power engines, making it considerably gas environment friendly, whereas it additionally boasted excellent dealing with.
• Produced for 5 years, the IROC-Z is a collectible automobile on account of low manufacturing numbers, with some fashions fetching over $100k.

The 1980s was not a great time for muscle cars. Most turned gas-efficient every day drivers or high-performance vehicles meant for long-distance tracks. That included the lengthy line of Chevy Camaros that had been a risk on each avenue throughout the nation within the earlier many years. In 1984, one such Camaro was designed and constructed for the ’85 mannequin 12 months.

The Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z got here out of the ashes to the adoration of Chevy followers. A novel type and look, with the best efficiency 305 V-8 that the carmaker may get away with, and a mode that was like no different. Let’s bounce in and focus on a number of issues that each automobile lover ought to know concerning the IROC-Z.

UPDATE: 2024/03/31

This article concerning the Camaro IROC-Z has been up to date to incorporate details about present costs within the used automobile market. It additionally provides recommendation about one of the best IROC-Z mannequin years to go for when you need one in every of Chevy’s iconic Eighties fashions.

In order to provide the latest and correct data attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Chevrolet and different authoritative sources comparable to Car And Driver.

The International Race Of Champions Birthed The IROC-Z

A little bit historical past should be mentioned to know why the IROC-Z was created. In 1973, one of the best of one of the best of all of the racing circuits started to compete towards one another within the International Race Of Champions. The drivers raced the identical vehicles, so the motive force’s abilities received or misplaced the races.

The first automobile they used was the Porsche Carrera RSR, however on account of the price of racing them in ’75, the drivers switched to the Camaro Z28. The races shut down for a number of years, however when it got here again in 1984, Chevy determined to make a commemorative version to rejoice the races. Hence, the Chevy Camaro Z28 IROC-Z was born.

The IROC-Z Was A Trim Level Of The Z28

Until 1988, when Chevy dropped the manufacturing of the Z28, the IROC-Z was an upgraded trim stage of the Z28 automobile. It was a verify within the field on the order type that might be checked off if the patron wished to spend the additional money for the improve. It got here with the identical 305 that the Z28 got here with for the primary few years, with an alternative choice being added to the combo in 1987. In that 12 months, the Chevy IROC-Z might be ordered with the 350 TPI that was then used below the hood of the Chevy Corvette.

“A Camaro That Thinks It’s A Corvette”

The Camaro had among the identical designers because the Corvette, so it’s secure to say that among the parts of the IROC-Z had been from the ‘Vette, which is why the automobile may carry out so nicely. When the patron ordered the Camaro, they may improve to the IROC-Z, which included the TPI V-8 from the Corvette, upgraded suspension and sway bars, and high-performance shocks. If any of this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of the Corvette had comparable options, which is why the IROC-Z was certainly a “Camaro That Thinks It’s a Corvette.”

Regulations Hampered The IROC-Z’s Performance

It shouldn’t be honest to match the ’80s IROC-Z to the newer Camaros with essentially the most progressive applied sciences of the last decade. Keeping that in thoughts, one of many causes that the IROC-Z was not a preferred vendor is that it was not one of many quickest Camaros that cash may purchase. The common quarter-mile instances it may put up was solely 15 seconds, whereas the Camaros of the previous decade may shoot down the identical observe in below 13 seconds. This is probably not honest to say, because the ’80s model of each automobile was slower, but when velocity was a precedence, the ’85 to ’90 Iroc-Z was not in competition.

Chevy Offered A Variety Of Low-Powered Engines

Because of the time interval, the small block V-8 engines offered by Chevy couldn’t put out the ability and torque gearheads anticipated from a Camaro. The base mannequin got here with a 305 engine that solely put out round 215 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque.

The largest engine that the automobile acquired was the 350 that was used within the Corvette, which may produce 225 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The 350 V-8 within the remaining IROC-Z mannequin 12 months made 245 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque.

You may additionally get the IROC-Z with a tepid L69 V-8 that made 190 horsepower. Just to present a comparability, let’s take a look at a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS ZL-1. It may produce over 500 horses and will pound out 450 pound-feet of torque. Quite a distinction, particularly when considering {that a} newer mannequin ought to have higher numbers.

Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Engine Specifications

(Specs: Chevrolet)

The one good thing the Camaro IROC-Z had going for itself was its gas economic system, even with a extra highly effective motor than another vehicles on the highway. The common MPG of vehicles within the ’80s was between 15 and 17 MPG on the town, which the Chevy Camaro may match. Obviously, if the automobile was pushed the best way it was meant to be, the gas mileage would go down a bit. However, it was nonetheless a automobile that might be pushed every day with out draining your complete pocketbook.

Weight Was Too Much

The added distinctive entrance fascia and the upgraded suspension and sway bars made the automobile heavier by 52 kilos. This could not look like numerous weight, and in at this time’s technology, it’s not. Back when engines had already misplaced energy, any added weight may make the distinction between a 15-second quarter mile and a 14-second one. The Chevy Camaro IROC-Z was not one of many slowest vehicles on the highway by any means, however including the efficiency package deal to the automobile added weight that the automobile couldn’t have if the motive force wished to race down the strip.

America’s Best Handling Car

The Chevy Camaro IROC-Z was constructed with one objective in thoughts: to present drivers America’s best-handling efficiency automobile. The IROC-Z was produced to compete on a observe that was extra about talent than uncooked energy.

The automobile may nook at excessive speeds with out dropping traction and rise up to hurry quick (0 to 60 in below seven seconds). Still, off-the-line velocity was not what the ’80s Camaros had been designed for, particularly the IROC-Z. A comparability take a look at by Car And Driver found that the IROC-Z handled and performed better on track in comparison with its largest competitor, the Ford Mustang LX 5.0.

Collectible Only Because Of Low Production Numbers

The concept behind a collectible car can have totally different meanings for folks, however the one factor constant throughout the board is that if a automobile has low manufacturing numbers, the automobile will likely be extra extremely prized. That is just because a collector is not going to need to purchase a automobile for prime greenback that each different particular person on their block can personal.

The rarer it’s, the extra collectors want to personal it, which is the one purpose the IROC-Z is a prized collector’s automobile. The manufacturing numbers had been low on account of an absence of gross sales, which isn’t as necessary as the truth that it’s onerous to seek out one that’s restorable and drivable.

Offered For Five Years To The Public

It can be thought that, since the Camaro is loved by so many muscle car lovers, one of the best improve that might be had for the last decade would have been offered like scorching muffins. Unfortunately, the Chevy IROC-Z was provided throughout the ’80s, when customers switched to extra fuel-efficient autos.

Even then, Chevy continued to supply the vehicles till 1989, when the IROC racing sequence turned sponsored by Dodge, resulting in the IROC-Z being formally retired. The 1990 mannequin years that may be discovered had been those produced throughout 1989 for the next mannequin 12 months.

You Can Buy One For Around $25,700

Despite its comparatively low manufacturing numbers, the Camaro IROC-Z doesn’t make the list of the rarest Camaros ever produced. That’s excellent news when you need one, as there are many examples out there so that you can select from. According to basic.com, you can get one for around $25,700.

A 1990 Camaro IROC-Z Sold For Over $100,000

The priciest IROC-Z recorded on basic.com went for over $100,000. It had solely executed 557 miles, and was a convertible model, which in all probability explains why it fetched such a excessive worth. Considering which mannequin 12 months is greatest, we propose that you simply go for the 1988 mannequin and above. From 1988 to the IROC-Z’s discontinuation, Chevrolet provided it as an impartial mannequin.

The automaker had beforehand provided IROC-Z as a package deal on the Z28 variant. Riding on the success of the package deal, Chevy provided the IROC-Z variant from the 1988 mannequin 12 months onwards.