1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z28
A concept created partially by Roger Penske, the International Race of Champions or IROC would pit all star drivers from numerous venues of racing against each other in similarly prepared cars. The inaugural year was 1974 and was won by Mark Donohue. While primarily run on oval tracks, it was also run at Riverside's road course, Watkins Glen, and at Daytona Speedway's road course. From 1975 to 1989, Chevrolet Camaros were used as the race car bodies.
For consignment, a 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z28 with a title verified 59,661 actual miles. This ode to the famous race has been owned by our consignor since 1992, making him just the second owner, although technically he is the 1st owner as the selling dealership owner drove the car on the MCO. Living a pampered life, this has always been a garaged the car, avoiding rain at all costs, and stored the car during the winter.
Exterior
Inset headlights in black coves bounce off GM's Bright Red paint that engulfs the car and just seven years beyond the second gen Z28's and their bold striping and body kit, more subtle cues were selected for Gen 3's including a double stripe that encircles the bottom of the car. There are hints of boldness too with IROC Z taped on the side is a space age horizontally lined font that fades up in pure 80's style. Fog lights, also cove mounted, flank the front license plate, and distinctive dual hood vents adorn the horizontal surface in unmistakable fashion. This is a solid roof car, and that roof connects with the sloping rear window which directs air to the rear wing. Black trimmed tail lights help differentiate the IROC and 16-inch gold trimmed wheels with IROC center caps were specific to the car and pick up on the smaller, gold IROC emblem on the rocker panel trim. The paint is in great shape and only two imperfections were noted. A swirled scratch on the front bumper and some flex cracks by a front marker light.
Interior
Simple door panels are flat sections of tan tweed cloth with a saddle carpet lower, showing some looseness and discoloration on the driver's side, a saddle vinyl armrest and black plastic control panels. The leather bucket seats pick up the pattern with a tweed insert surrounded by saddle leather and the driver gets basic electric controls on the shell. The rear 2+2 is in good condition, showing an indentation in the center panel indicating the seat back might have down on the belt receptacle for a time. Meanwhile, the saddle and tan molded side walls look great. In front, a 3 spoke steering wheel, modest by today's muscle car complexities, in front of a simple analog gauge cluster on a flat black dash. No digital readout, no screens, no accent lighting. The center stack shows GM's typical arrangement of the A/C control panel over the Delco AM/FM/Cassette radio marking the only spot where digital numbers will light up. The manual shifter has a slightly weathered leather wrapped ball handle in a setting of hard black plastics, angular and clean. On the floor, low pile saddle carpet has held up well and goes on to coat the rear cargo area in fine fashion. A few dimples in the padded velour headliner, but overall very nice condition with button fronted fasteners.
Drivetrain
Car lover status plays out in the engine bay that shows very cleanly here and houses the 305ci V8 rated at 220 horsepower. This is in the wake of the malaise period and horsepower numbers started rising, even as modest as 220 now seems in 2024. Fuel injection was becoming standard in the mid-80's and is found on this car, which also has a T5 5-speed manual transmission sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle. Power brakes are found as discs in the front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
If not for the surface rust and typical patina, this would look very much like 1988. It's clean and dry underneath. The single exhaust flows to an original muffler in the back which sends out two tail pipes that exit all but invisibly under the back. This would remain the configuration until the next generation Camaro Z28 which would have showy, square external tips. Coil spring suspension is in the front and a torque arm with coil springs are out back.
Drive-Ability
We steer the F-body onto the loop where it provides adequate power from the 305, not blistering fast but not slow either. Handling excels in the Z and takes turns with very little roll. Shifts are crisp and the power brakes perform as expected. During our short ride, we note the A/C is not working and we notice some chatter in the rear axle. All other operations function as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
his is the one everyone wanted back on the day but couldn't always afford. Competition from Pontiac and Ford prowled the streets, but for cool factor, the IROC-Z won hands down. The name alone is not just brilliant marketing but sounds tougher than "GT" or "LX". Maybe you had to settle for a Berlinetta back then. Well, here's a well preserved IROC and your chance to get that car that eluded you in the 80's. It's still cool today, only now it's a classic!
1G1FP21F6JL118163
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
FP-Camaro
2-2 Door Sport Coupe
1-Manual Belts
F-305ci V8 EFI 220hp
6-Check Digit
J-1988
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
118163-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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