Driver-quality classics can offer enthusiasts one of the most relaxing ownership experiences. These cars can be enjoyed without the fear that an errant stone or other object will mar perfection, which is an attractive thought in a world of stressful situations. That is the opportunity offered by this 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z. It is a dry-climate survivor with 56,000 miles on the clock. It has no urgent need and is ready to provide immediate enjoyment to its next owner. The Camaro is listed here on eBay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bidding sits below the reserve at $7,700, although there is a BIN option of $15,500.

This Camaro is loaded with positive news that helps explain the interest it has generated. It has spent its life in the southwest, which is positive news for anyone seeking a rust-free classic. The seller assures us the car is as solid as the day it was born, and the underside shots reveal no signs of trouble. It has received a repaint in its original Code 81 Bright Red, but it is unclear when this occurred. It retains a respectable shine, and the new owner shouldn’t feel ashamed being seen in public behind the wheel of this IROC. There are no significant paint issues, with the same true of the car’s steel and plastic. The stripes and decals look remarkably crisp for a vehicle that has spent its life in a hot climate, and the glass is spotless. It retains its original alloy wheels, and although they aren’t perfect, a few hours of concentrated work with a high-quality polish should have them sparkling nicely.

Buyers could choose from several engines to power their 1989 IROC-Z, with this car’s original owner selecting the 5.7-liter TPI V8. It sends 230hp and 330 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed TH700-R4 automatic transmission. They also ticked the box beside the G92 Package on their Order Form, which brought a revised rear axle ratio, four-wheel disc brakes, a dual-converter exhaust, and an engine oil cooler to the party. Detroit had begun clawing back horsepower lost to emission regulations when this Camaro rolled off the line, allowing it to cover the ¼-mile in 15 seconds. RPO G92 also included a speedometer calibrated to 145mph, and a long enough piece of road could see this car just push the needle off the clock. The seller claims this Camaro has covered a genuine 56,000 miles, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. They recently replaced the fuel tank, pump, sender unit, injectors, air filter, battery, and other unspecified components. That strategy has left the car in excellent mechanical health. The engine is strong, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the car drives well. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey classic they could drive anywhere.

This Camaro’s greatest weakness could be its interior. It isn’t horrendous and has no immediate needs, but its shortcomings could cost money to rectify if the new owner seeks perfection. The tilt wheel leather is dry and worn and is probably beyond the point where a specialist could bring it back from the edge. A wrap would conceal the problem, but replacement may be the only permanent solution. They are available, shiny and new, but the price is an eye-watering $350. Spotless secondhand original wheels regularly appear on the usual online auction sites, but since they typically sell for roughly the same price as a new one, they offer no financial benefit. The dashpad has cracked, and the problem looks pretty severe, considering what can be seen emerging from below the cover. The simplest and cheapest solution would be to maintain the status quo. Molded cover quality has improved dramatically during the past few years, and one of those in the correct color will set the buyer back $165 as an affordable option. Throwing caution to the wind would yield a replacement pad, but with a price of $550, some may consider the cost prohibitively high. The Red cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from significant wear beyond the typical small area on the driver’s seat outer bolster, with the back seat appearing to have seen little use. I’m in two minds about the driver’s seat because a set of slipcovers would hide the issue and prevent deterioration. However, there may also be an argument for spending $650 on a complete set of replacement seatcovers, and I’ll cover that shortly. The plastic isn’t crumbling to dust, and there are no aftermarket additions. I’m sure the seller appreciates the ice-cold air conditioning as this Camaro stalks the streets of Las Vegas. The buyer also receives power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.

This 1989 Camaro IROC-Z  is a classic that a new owner could enjoy immediately, and the sixteen bids submitted so far suggest some people find the prospect irresistible. Recent sales results suggest the BIN figure is probably realistic, even with the existing interior shortcomings. It is also worth noting that values have climbed consistently during the past year, which is noteworthy in a market where some of the more fancied players have fallen. If that trend continues, splashing the cash on the dashpad, seatcovers, and wheel could be a wise investment strategy. Would you do that, or would leaving this IROC-Z untouched be your approach?