Cars from the 1980s are often modified or changed as owners seek to improve performance or festoon the interior with more modern equipment like aftermarket stereos or additional gauges. This 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 IROC-Z has avoided that fate, remaining as original as the day it rolled off the lot. It has a known ownership history, a genuine 68,000 miles showing on its odometer, and enough documentation to satisfy most potential buyers. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Scott for spotting the Camaro listed here on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon. The seller set their price at $25,500, although they will entertain offers.
Chevrolet’s Third Generation Camaro caused a sensation upon its release in December 1981. From its steeply raked windshield to its rear hatch with its complex curved glass, the buying public had never seen a Bow-Tie offering like it. The styling reflected Chevrolet’s focus on weight reduction and aerodynamic efficiency to claw back some of the performance lost to dwindling engine power. Our featured Camaro is a Z28 IROC-Z that left the factory in 1986. The seller is its second owner, although it is unclear when they became is custodian. They recently treated its Code 41 Black paint to a cut and buff, with the results justifying the evidence. The paint shines like glass, showing no evidence of significant imperfections. It is contrasted by Gold stripes and graphics that look excellent for their age, and there are no signs of rust. The glass is clear, and the rear window louvers are a wonderful 1980s touch.
Powering this Camaro is a 305ci V8, with shifting duties falling to the four-speed TH700-R4 automatic transmission that became available in 1983. Power steering and power brakes were standard fare in 1986, and when combined with the first owner’s transmission choice, this IROC-Z should provide an effortless driving experience. The seller claims that this classic has a genuine 68,000 miles showing on its odometer, and although they don’t mention verifying evidence, it may exist amongst the collection of included documentation. They recently treated the Camaro to a significant amount of work, covering areas like the cooling and braking systems. Throw in a new battery, new tires, a new heater core, replaced belts, and a full fluid change, and it is no surprise that this is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well.
This Camaro’s interior is a highlight for me, because it has avoided the changes often seen in classics of this vintage. There are no aftermarket additions, and the condition is impressive. The Beige cloth looks free from wear and physical damage, and the carpet is clean. The remaining upholstered surfaces look excellent, and there is no evidence of cracked or crumbling plastic. The first owner equipped the vehicle with air conditioning, cruise control, a remote hatch release, and an AC/Delco radio/cassette player. The seller states that everything works as it should, with no functional issues or other problems.
There’s a lot to like about this 1986 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z, particularly if you are a purist searching for an unmolested 1980s classic. Its presentation is first-rate, and its odometer reading is extremely low for its age. It is possible to buy cheaper examples, because there are plenty of vehicles currently flooding the market. However, the seller’s price, particularly if they are flexible on that figure, seems realistic in the face of recent sales. This survivor hasn’t been on the market for long, but are you tempted to give it a new home?
190hp I believe in these Clarkey. Gorgeous IROC in classic colors.
Nah, it’s an LG4 car, one of the last with the quadrabog. Owned enough 3rd gen’s to know that this is a terribly uninspiring 155hp, with terrible torque, drivetrain. Honestly, driving a late model grocery getter is more inspiring that that poor thing.
The car itself is beautiful. I love it. Unfortunately, I’d be building it because I never would drive a 305 carb car of this generation again. Slug doesn’t describe it well enough. Besides all that….. the valve seats are probably gone or going at that mileage. They all fail and smoke like crazy.
Again, sweet looking car. Unfortunate choice of engine by the original owner.
Yup, they are gutless. The good news is that a real motor drops right in.
Mom had an ’82 Z28, copper color, no t-tops, automatic. One of the few cars of the era that seemed more powerful than its anemic engine specs would suggest. Handled great on perfect surfaces but would bounce you out of your seat when driving over the slightest imperfection. Tranny would constantly look to lock up – the only cure for that was mashing the accelerator pedal. All in all, the bottom line is that everyone wanted to be seen and driven in that car. A great looker.
Beautiful car. One of my favorites. Only one of few you can enjoy driving or just looking at.
Black, the best color for any car and the hardest to keep looking that way. Just pull that 305 out and put it on a stand and drop in a torquey 383 with EFI. Not too many left this nice.
Completely uninspiring.
I’ve owned a 1983 and 1984 Camaro. Very light cars, and it’s not difficult to improve on power. I put a 400 SBC in one with a TH350, and it was nuts.
Quadrajet carbs are one of the best. Keep your foot out of it and it returns better MPG than the two barrel. They flow as much as 800 cfm so they can handle some HP. The only ones I ever saw bog had been worked on by someone that lacked proper training and understanding of the carburetor. They are really easy to tune with a 4 gas. Finding one that hasn’t been butchered is getting hard to do.
Own a 1984 Z28 since new in 1984. 72000 miles. No smoke so maybe smoke in your brain. 5 speed manual. No problems there.
Put subframe connectors in it, you’ll be amazed at the improvement.
25K is about double this cars worth.
The critics of Quadra jets don’t how to set them up. I have the original on my 73 Corvette. Gave a friend a ride recently. After a few miles he says, did you change this car to Sniper FI? Told him no. I just tune my cars the way they should be. Love IROCs. In the mid 80s I was in my 30s. Remember these cars that were as common stupid, ugly SUVs are today. Everything today sucks.
We took an 87IROC and dropped the 3.8L Grand National motor in it (the GN got hammered from behind by a drunk) after some maneuvering around the engine bay. Added another turbo and some nitrous. Vette owners were fun to look at in the rear-view mirror…using binoculars! LOL
I bought an 86 new & it ended up being the biggest Lemon I ever owned, handled great but clear coat peeled on 8 of the ten panels (had to be repainted for that issue) also had to take it in 7 different times for the same mechanical issue with the last time it sat for over 2 months with the part being on backorder, sold it after the fact & never looked back, haven’t owned a Chevrolet since.
Ugh, a carb Z28! I had a new 86 TPI Z28, which unfortunately was only available with an automatic in 86. Yeah, it was slow! But I put 85k miles on it in 3 years, and it was a great driver.
Slowest IROC-Z in history…….
25K for an ’86 IROC, when my ’86 GLH-T would beat it.
That same 25K would buy a fantastic ’86 Corvette. Make mine a droptop.