Sometimes, owners of muscle cars can overdo the myriad ways that a particular vehicle is one of three or one of ten due to a rare feature or being manufactured on the third Thursday at a particular manufacturing plant. However, sometimes it’s abundantly clear a particular car is special, and this 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z28 has the right credentials. First, it has just over 15,000 original miles; second, it’s equipped with the 5.7L TPI V8; and third, it wears a rare color known as Medium Gray Metallic. Find it here on eBay where bidding has reached $17,000 with no reserve.
While I don’t have specific production numbers memorized, I know just from the frequency that we see red, black, and white Camaros that a dark gray example is definitely a rare bird. Factor in the showroom-grade condition, T-top roof panel, and no ugly modifications and that rare color looks even better. The original “IROC-Z” graphics along the bottom of the door show no signs of fading, and the taillights still appear lustrous in color. The seller does note it was recently detailed, something every seller should do before listing their car – it’s working in the seller’s favor in this instance.
Underhood is the optional (and original) 5.7L TPI LB9 V8 that produced 230 b.h.p., certainly a respectable number for the era in which the third-generation Camaro was produced. Automatic transmissions were standard with this option, which I can live with given the standard horsepower on board. As you’d expect for a car with near-new mileage, all the details look right and clean, from the luster on the hoses to the near-perfect windshield washer fluid reservoir cap. The seller notes a comprehensive service but doesn’t detail what it included; battery and tires have recently been replaced.
The interior is in showroom-grade condition, with mint original floormats and bucket seats that look like they’ve never been sat in. The dash is uncracked and the center console shows no signs of cosmetic damage. The seller notes there are no rips or tears and that all glass is perfect. The A/C has been converted to R134 and presumably still blows cold.
The next owner will also get the original window sticker and factory owner’s manual, along with a clean title. I’m not surprised to see bidding where it is at the moment, and I’m also certain there’s more action left in this auction.
yesssssss. i love these cars, no because of the car, but because of that one episode of roadkill.
I think the good ones, are going to worth more and more. The 5.7 was good for 15 seconds flat, not bad, considering these also had great handling and brakes. Better yet, they have tons of potential, if you are so inclined. Period mods that are done correctly, don’t hurt the value in my opinion. The fuel rail is good for 500 hp. The parts are there to “build” a strong TPI. I think most of the world views the LT1 as such a big improvement, there is little interest in the now old TPI motor. Just the same, I have owned these and they are practical, fun and reliable. A good set of headers will add 30 hp.
Worst Camaro I had it was in shop more than on rd wife hit bridge with it best thing that happened with it
LB9 is the RPO FOR THE 305 TPI engine. The 350 is RPO L98.
Martin
You can actually see the new car smell in this vehicle, very nice IROC, and great color too.
Mine was an 88 and it was a pile! It was fun to drive, but the brakes were non existent and it was molested so bad it wasn’t worth anything. I traded it off for a motorcycle and never looked back.
Nice car, but it’s not a Z28.
The IROC was better equipped than the Z/28, bigger wheel/tire package, better suspension and a few little items.
IROC-Z was an option package for the Z28 from 1985-1987. From 1988-1990, there was no Z28, only IROC-Z. For 1991, IROC was gone and Z28 was back.
Give us your address and we’ll send you your medal.
found this https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/306628-difference-between-iroc-z.html
Love it
I also laugh that they advertised the car with “special steering box 2.5 turns lock to lock” that was due to larger wheels they made the internal stops sooner!!!
SAME BOX
You’re right about the internal stops on the Iroc box and the reason for it . . I got one for my 34 Chevrolet several years ago . . It is a high effort 12 to 1 ratio box if I remember same as a Pontiac trans am and is the same box in my 2001 S-10 Xtreme . . I had to modify the one for my 34 . . Been a few years back but I remember removing a few shims in the back end of the box and replacing the end cap on the front of the box which limits the turning radius . . The end cap is very thick . . Get the end cap off a non performance box . . These 2 mods will give you a much better turning radius plus it’s a performance box . .
I love America. It took four posts to find proper punctuation in this listing. Please, be proud of a job done right but, do it right.
Actually, IROCs are indeed Z28s. IRRC, the IROC option was a package that could be added to the Z28. If you look at the SPID label of an IROC, you’ll see the “Z28” code. All IROCs are Z28s but not all Z28s are IROCs.
Swap in a .318 Poly NOW!!!
Gunmetal was only offered in 1988 on the IROC. 8,628 out of 96,275 Camaros were painted this color that year. That’s about 9%. So since they built 24,050 IROC coupes for 1988, figure that there were only about 2,000 – 2,200 IROCs ever painted this color.
Why do the tips of the bumpers have to be four feet (5?) from the centre of the wheel!!!
Overhang!!!
Excessive front overhang was very common back then – same on mustang II & even on 1981 front wheel drive charger!
It was as if they were trying to imitate the front overhang of the superbird & talledaga torinos. Or was it for aerodynamics & better mpg?
They should have made the wheelbase longer allowing more rear legroom, while shortening the front overhang on the 3rd gen f-bodies.
Today’s “cars” all seem to have way too SHORT front AND rear overhangs. & w/o real bumpers, you can have catastrophic damage in parking lots. Or with minor fender benders out on the street. We can all guess why that’s the case today.
Yeah, So its a rare color with a rare motor on a not so desirable platform (only to some ) GM built a ton from a whopping production run from 1982-1992. Referred to as Third Generation or just the turd gen.
So breaking it down you have a sticker (IROC) and wheels with a few handling tweaks and throw in rear disc brakes on an otherwise lookalike of every other Camaro. This one has a 5.7 that looks just like a 305.
Be that it may what is one going to do with it now? The miles are high for a non driver but again it is what it is.
On one hand you drive it you loose money. On the other you store it it will be your own private museum piece. Carefully caring and storing is one hurdle. Paying collector insurance for something to look at as an investment is another. I would think there are safer ways to spend $20K in my opinion.
If for the only reason to have bragging rights 5.7 and paint color, If you like it have at it. My quess the current has had enough of maintaining a non driver and wants out.
It’s near 20k now with over a day to go. I’ve been following the values of these for some time and can affirmatively say that is very high for a non 1LE, 15k miles or not. Up to now, only the 1LEs and turbo Trans Ams have broken the 20k barrier. 3 years ago, this is 15k tops.
Whether that’s because of the color or the scalding economy is anyone’s guess. I’ll guess it’s probably more the latter, but the color isn’t hurting things.
Hey everybody has there own cars they like or don’t to each his own what can you expect for the 80s this was the best you were going to get it’s not the 70s
I am not a Chevy guy, pure Pontiac man, but if I were a Chevy guy, I think this would be the one, low miles great motor, great shape, I’d drive it summers only to shows, to maintain the miles, maybe 2 grand a year, at least the Camaro was a real Chevy, or you could’ve opted for the Chevy Trans Am, no real Pontiac guy would win any beefs at a car show with one of those.
I’d rather take the 5.0 with a 5 spd than a 5.7 with the auto as the only option any day of the week.
Damn, I was hoping to retire on my 1 of 1 Green Gremlin with the orange interior, and blue vinyl roof and 5 cylinder 1bbl.