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Drop-Top Survivor: 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

The Chevy Camaro began production in 1967 and has continued ever since except for a break between 2003 and 2009. And it’s scheduled to deliver its “final” swan song sometime in 2024. One of the more memorable Camaros was the 1985-90 IROC-Z models which were available as both coupes and convertibles. This nice example of the latter from 1988 has had a few mechanical upgrades and looks to need nothing but a new home. Located in Beaver, Pennsylvania, this nice drop-top is available here on craigslist for $15,900. Thanks for the cool tip, Mitchell G.!

The third generation of the Chevy “pony car” was built from 1982 to 1992. Inspired by the race version for the International Race of Champions, the street version of the Z28 variant, the IROC-Z, debuted in 1985. The cars were produced for six years, equipped with a fuel-injected 5-0-liter V8 that produced 230 hp by 1988. This was an upgrade to the standard versions of the engine that output 170 horses. These were fast cars for the day, capable of doing 15-second and below quarter-mile runs.

Production numbers of the IROC-Z can be a little fuzzy, but in 1988, out of the 96,275 Camaros that Chevy built, 24,050 were the IROC-Z coupe and just 3,761 Z convertibles. So, the seller’s car is likely an automobile that’s harder to find today. At 116,000 miles, this version looks nice enough and we’re told it runs well. Recent servicing was done in terms of new tires, the fuel pump and filter, a new radiator, and a replacement alternator. Those things suggest that maybe the car has been lightly used or not at all more recently.

The body and paint look quite nice, and the interior is most inviting for a 1980s ride. The seller can provide a copy of a recent Carfax which should attest to it having no dirty laundry to air. Beyond that, the seller says that if you want any more research on the car, that work lies with the buyer. He/she is not interested in trades and does “not need to sell,” so why is the car on the market?

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    Nice car, nice price.

    Like 5
  2. Connecticut mark

    Great deal, not many black ones . That 305 puts out more than I thought

    Like 3
    • Chris

      The 305 was 170 horsepower, the 230 horsepower option was the 350.

      Like 2
      • Jay

        That depends. The LB9 305 TPI made 220-230hp between 88-92.
        The L98 350 made 225hp in 87, and 230hp in 1989. Some suggest this may have been underrated.

        Like 2
  3. Scott L.

    Why would the original cigarette lighter be missing with most of these cars?

    Like 0
    • bobhess bobhess Member

      Not too many smokers around and most use the lighter for a cell phone charger, like we do. Besides, dropping hot ashes on the upholstery on a car this nice would not be cool.

      Like 0
  4. Joe Haska

    Ditto my comment on the 1988 560 SL

    Like 1
  5. Claudio

    So, based on the very rare cigarette lighter, this is quite the opportunity !
    Being a drop top lover , this ad caught my attention but the GM multicolored beige plastiky interior is a total turn off, all the parts have a different shade …good luck to the seller and his lighter

    Like 0
  6. rayburn

    Well, unless the floors are rotted out, the non conv are going for quite a bit more than that! Something doesn’t seem just right?

    Like 0
  7. Melton Mooney

    This car was an identical twin to mine. This one remains in nice original shape however, while mine, over the years, has become more…athletic.

    My original lighter eventually burned out. It’s hard to use a zippo at speed with the top down, so if you’re still a smoker, the lighter gets used a lot.

    Like 2
  8. John

    Nice car!

    Like 0

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