Bland Brand: 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z – SOLD!

May 10, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

For the 1985 model year, Chevrolet launched the IROC option package, named after the International Race of Champions series the company sponsored at the time.  With upgraded handling and the Corvette’s Tuned Port induction system, the option proved very popular with consumers.  So much so, in fact, that by 1988, Chevrolet once again dropped the Z28 offering and all performance Camaros left the factory as IROC-Zs. That marketing move diluted what started as an exclusive sub-brand that, by the late 1980s, became the punch line for stereotyping the mullet-topped, muscle-bound, gold-chain-wearing young men who tended to drive them when new.

The seller of this black over tan 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z spotted for sale in April 2023 on Craigslist in Beaver, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) markets their car as a well-maintained survivor sporting new tires, fuel pump/filter, radiator, and alternator. One item the seller neglects to mention is what engine features.  The rocker panel denotes “Tuned Port Injection” but no “5.7L” badge, which hints that this IROC-Z features the 220 horsepower 5.0L V8.

Last offered for $15,900, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for 1988 Camaro IRCO-Zs of both body styles.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the truck featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $14,700 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $21,100.

The Internation Race of Champions (“IROC”) was a U.S.-based limited race series where the top drivers competed in identically-prepared cars.  The series initially started in 1974 with Porsche 911RSRs. One year later, Chevrolet took over sponsorship from 1975 through 1989.  In 1985, Chevrolet marketers decide to capitalize on the series success by offering an IROC-Z performance option package on Camaro Z28s.  Camaro IROC-Zs featured upgraded suspensions, lowered ride height, specially valved Delco-Bilstein shocks, larger diameter sway bars, a steering/frame brace known as the “wonder bar,” a special decal package, and an optional Tuned Port Injection system donated from the Chevrolet Corvette. It also shared the Corvette’s Goodyear “Gatorback” unidirectional tires in a slightly smaller 245/50/VR16 size. The IROC-Z package proved so popular that by 1988 Chevrolet replaced the “Z/28” moniker, and every performance Camaro was now an IROC-Z.

The change to the Z28/IROC-Z was just one part of Camaro’s model rationalization for 1988.  Chevrolet also discontinued the slow-selling LT model, leaving just the base model and IROC-Z as the only two model offerings.  Without the Z28 to bridge the gap between the base Camaro and the flagship IROC-Z, the previously standard aluminum 16-inch 5-spoke wheels were now an option – “base” IROCs received the previous year Z28’s aluminum 15-inch 5-spoke wheels (which also became standard on the base coupes) and P215/65-15 tires. Also, the old Z28’s ground effects and spoilers were now standard on the base Camaro coupes. Base models received a new raised spoiler for the first half production year.

Starting in 1988, all Camaro engine options featured fuel injection. The 5.0L 305 cubic inch (5.0L) V8 gained throttle-body injection (“TBI”), bringing net horsepower to 170; the manual-equipped 5.0L TBI manual transmission models were rated at 220 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 290 lb.ft or torque at 3,200 rpm, while the automatic-equipped versions made 195 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 290 lb. ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. Optional on the IROC-Z was a Tuned Part Injection equipped 5.7 Liter (350 cubic inch)  V8 rated at 230 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 330 lb. ft at 3,200 rpm.

The IROC-Z was also treated to some small cosmetic changes for 1988 The “Z28” logos on the ground effects below the doors and on the rear bumper changed to read “IROC-Z”. The large IROC-Z call-outs on the door moved from the front of the doors to the back to put some space between the logos. Option code DX3 offered buyers the option of deleting the IROC-Z’s door decals and stripes for a $60.00 credit. Optional 16-inch aluminum wheels were redesigned with two lines instead of one large line in each spoke, and center caps backgrounds changed from black to silver. Dash badges on the IROC still read “Z28” on top and “IROC-Z” below. The VIN code 8 is the engine code for a real TPI 5.7L IROC.

The Classic Cars Today YouTube Channel features this 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z commercial:

As is the case with all generations of Camaros, finding an unmodified example becomes harder with each passing year.  This 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z convertible for sale appears to be a nicely maintained survivor-quality example that is original right down to the cigarette lighter. The only thing we recommend is confirming with the seller what engine their IROC-Z features.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this survivor-quality 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z  Please comment below and let us know!