38,900 Original Mile Camaro Z/28 IROC 5 Speed

RK Motors Charlotte is all about variety. Not only do we have Mopars, Fords, cars from General Motors, and a bunch of interesting and unique pieces from all corners of the automotive kingdom, we also offer variations on a theme. If our bright red 1LE Camaro is too hard core for you, but don't want our beautiful blue '87 IROC with an automatic, then step right up to this gorgeous bright red 5-speed IROC-Z. Just as nice as the others, this one features the LG4 305 cubic inch V8 topped by a 4-barrel carburetor. Consider this one 1LE light with its minimal options and lightweight packaging, but in a more civilized package that actually includes A/C and a radio.

This car received a comprehensive repaint about two years ago, and looks absolutely beautiful today. If we didn't know better, we could almost be convinced that this was a factory job, so thorough was the work. Only a few areas in the engine compartment give it away, and the lack of visible masking lines and overspray suggest that someone spent A LOT of time and money to make this bright red Camaro look this good. Body gaps are excellent, and the paint finish is better than the General was laying down on lowly Chevys in 1986. New and correct decals were installed at the same time, and all the original emblems (which are in new condition) were reinstalled. The final touch was a bright rub-strip along the flanks which admittedly isn't OEM, but will help this shiny red Camaro stay ding-free for a long time. Glass is good all around, and as an interesting bit of Camaro history, 1986 Chevrolet Camaros had the newly required CHMSL (center high mounted stop light) mounted externally on the leading edge of the hatchback glass. This was the only year Z28s and IROC-Zs had the CHMSL mounted in this location. The massive taillights are clean and undamaged, and aftermarket mud flaps have been added to protect the rockers.

Powering this red Camaro is a familiar LG4 V8, displacing 305 cubic inches and churning out 165 horsepower and 250 pounds of torque not earth-shattering in these days of 622 horsepower Corvettes, but enough to keep this relatively lightweight pony car out ahead of the pack. You'll also note that the LG4 is the last of the carbureted Camaros, being topped with a 4-barrel. This means no electronics to worry about, and a vast, vast variety of aftermarket speed equipment just a phone call away. The engine compartment is highly original and it's obvious that this car has never been driven in the snow and salt. Everything is clean and shiny, and while basic service has been performed over the years, it is extremely original, from the plastic snorkel feeding the air cleaner to the belts and hoses which very well may be factory equipment. Everything is clean and detailed and ready for the next show.

The real appeal of this car is the 5-speed manual transmission behind the small block V8. A vast majority of Camaros this year were automatics, but if you're the kind of guy who likes to stir the gears, then this is what you need. I don't have a lot of seat time in manual-transmission equipped Camaros, but the shifter in this one features an aftermarket knob and one of the most positive-feeling linkages I've ever experienced. Ford used the same T5 transmission in the Mustang with which I am very familiar and no factory Mustang shifter ever felt as good as the one in this Camaro. Clutch take-up is light and progressive, and there is no sign that this car was ever raced or abused. Out back, there's a 3.23 gear in the rear axle, a good compromise between acceleration and fuel economy, and about par for the course in 1986. The undercarriage was probably rust-proofed by the dealer when it was new, but the precaution was unnecessary, since this car has led an easy life. Everything is stock underneath, even the exhaust system, which is usually the first thing an ambitious new owner changes on his new V8 pony car. Wheels are IROC 16-inch cast aluminum pieces wearing original style 245/50/16 Goodyear Gatorback radials.

The gray cloth interior has been well maintained for the past 24 years, and is more proof of the car's low mileage claims. The bolsters on the driver's seat show a slight amount of wear, but the rest of the seats are excellent. Matching gray carpeted floor mats have kept the carpets clean and new-looking, while the trunk looks rarely used. The automatic latch works properly, and the struts still open the heavy glass hatch effortlessly. You can tell that this is an early car because of the 85-MPH speedometer (later in 1986, Camaros received more appropriate 145-MPH units). The leather-wrapped steering wheel has a comfortable broken-in feel to it, and the aftermarket shifter knob is easy to grab. Entertainment is via GM's familiar AM/FM/cassette stereo system. I like that this is a non-T-top car, which means the platform is sturdy and tight.

To be honest, this is EXACTLY how I would have spec'd out my own Camaro in 1986. I'm a fan of light weight, no frills, and maximum durability, and this car hits all those notes. I would have foregone power windows and locks, but A/C is a must-have, as is some kind of stereo. I would have chosen the carbureted engine because of the ease of modification, and a shift-it-myself transmission was mandatory. No need for T-tops, because all they do is add weight and remove chassis stiffness, and anything else that doesn't help the car go faster can stay off the build sheet, too. This one is drop-dead gorgeous in bright red, and it is incredibly well preserved throughout. If you missed your chance in '86, don't miss it again. Call today!