39,293 Original Mile Camaro Z/28 IROC-Z 305 V8 5 Speed A/C

As popular as they are, it's still awfully hard to find clean third-generation Camaros. GM made hundreds of thousands of these cars during a production timeframe that spanned an entire decade. But because they were fast, cheap and affordable, 3rd gens tended to get used up a lot quicker than other 1980s metal. Fortunately, some people had the foresight to preserve a few choice examples, and cars like this awesome IROC-Z are beginning to gain serious value. Wrapping Bright Red 2-stage around rowdy small block performance, this cool coupe is a largely-original stunner. And if you're looking for a fun classic that has true investment potential, it's just the opportunity you've been waiting for!

ROCKIN' GOOD LOOKS

Looking spectacular in a repaint of correct Bright Red 2-stage, this smoking Camaro carries just as much presence as when it rolled off GM's legendary Norwood assembly line. Under that pigment, an incredibly straight fuselage features great alignment. That alignment is highlighted by correct call-outs, which complement rich black and silver striping. And as it rolls, this coupe does an excellent job championing the performance-driven flash the Camaro marque is founded on.

In the world of '80s style the Camaro was surprisingly restrained, and the result is a timeless design that still influences Chevrolet's newest sports cars. There's no outrageous wing, no swoopy ground effects and no cheesy side cladding. Just clean, chiseled sheetmetal that manifests as a classic, instantly recognizable shape. At the front of the car, a crack-free bumper centers an original header emblem between IROC fog lights, intricate parking lamps, a “CAMARO” branded grille and Satin Black headlight buckets. Behind that emblem, a louvered hood leads the eye to chip-free glass, which is woven between body-matched mirrors and a contoured Center High Mount Stop Lamp. Opposite that lamp, “Z28” branded rockers frame factory door handles, small marker lamps and aftermarket door guards. And at the back of the car, a tasteful spoiler shades a third “Z28” badge and pristine, tri-color taillights.

CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE

Under the hood, a 305 cubic inch LG4 V8 provides just enough grunt to keep this red-hot Chevy both fierce and fun. That mill rides in a spotless engine bay that, based on appearance, isn't privy to inclement weather. Everything is, for the most part, as the factory assembled it. And all the engine's plastic pieces, the components that usually age the fastest, are still bright and corrosion-free. Twist the key and the familiar sound of a modern small block rumbles through an aftermarket muffler. And, thanks to our fine detail crew here at RK Motors Charlotte, everything is clean and ready for the next show!

RACING ROOTS

The strongest transmission GM offered in the 1986 Camaro was the 700R4 4-speed and, not surprisingly, a vast majority of cars were so equipped. However, if you're the kind of enthusiast who likes to row their way down the road, a major appeal of this IROC is its factory T5 5-speed. That stalwart gearbox spins a familiar GM 10-bolt that's loaded with spry, 3.23 gears. That axle pushes an IROC-exclusive suspension, which wraps heavy duty componentry in a lowered ride height. Naturally, those bones are lead by factory power steering. Stops come courtesy of power front disc and rear drum brakes. As previously mentioned, factory exhaust components feed aftermarket tailpipes and an aftermarket turbo muffler. And at the corners, attractive 5-spokes spin 245/50R16 Firestone Firehawks around IROC-branded centers.

ALL FACTORY, ALL BUSINESS

Take a look inside this straight-edge Chevy and you'll find a well-maintained cockpit that's both clean and classy. The bolsters on the driver's seat show a slight amount of wear, but the rest of the seats are in excellent condition given the car's age. At the center of those buckets, a pristine console plants a factory tape deck in front of a leather-wrapped shifter. At the front of that island, a straight dash frames a correct, early-build 85 MPH speedometer. At the sides of that ledge, great looking door panels found warp-free armrests behind factory handles. Those panels exist between clean carpet, protected by color-keyed floor mats, and a tight headliner, stretched across a chassis-stiffening roof. The driver spins a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel. And the passengers stow essentials in a carpeted hatch.

At RK Motors, we pride ourselves in finding clean, largely unaltered classics like this sweet IROC-Z. If you missed your chance to own one when they were new, or had one that you let get away, this car is a rare chance at redemption. Well-kept third-generation Camaros are seeing positive gains in the market, and, at the end of the day, there's truly nothing better than reliving golden memories behind the wheel of a storied classic!

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SUMMARY

* Largely-original semi-survivor that's logged only 39,293 miles
* Correct 305 cubic inch LG4 V8
* Correct Borg Warner T5 5-speed manual transmission
* Factory air conditioning
* Bright Red paint / Gray cloth interior
* Aftermarket muffler
* Correct 10-bolt rear axle / 3.23 gears
* Factory IROC-Z suspension
* Factory power steering / Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
* 16-inch IROC-Z wheels