Faded Glory: 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

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With 103,000 miles, the prior 3 owners have gotten their fun out of this car. Located in La Valle, Wisconsin, this 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is listed here on eBay with 3 days remaining in the auction. The current bid is $4,050 with 28 bids and 35 watchers. This Z28 brings back of a lot of memories for Camaro enthusiasts because it was equipped with the top of line engine that was built to compete with the Mustang GT.

The Camaro is optioned with a 305 cubic inch V8 tuned port injection engine. This engine was designated as the LB9 and rated at 215 horsepower from the factory. All LB9 5.0 liter engines were mated with the TH700-R4 automatic transmissions. A manual transmission was not available with the tuned port injected engine in 1985. The engine compartment looks pretty clean and all the factory parts appear present.

The gray interior looks stock but the cloth material and carpet appear soiled. For 1985, the Camaro Z28 benefited from a refreshed nose treatment and a deeper front valance and front spoiler. This car is optioned with t-tops which look great on this color combination. Possible rear end ratios were either a 3:23 or 3:42 gear. The exterior paint is faded and spotted. I love the aluminum wheels on the Z28.

I was in college when these cars were popular and my twin brother just loved the design. He ended up ordering the IROC-Z version which was one step above the Z28. The seller states there is rust along the bottom of the doors and the weatherstrip needs to be replaced. If you owned a mid 1980’s Z28, let us know about your experiences.

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Comments

  1. John B

    Had a bright red 87 IROC with the 350 TPI, T-tops and all. Beautiful car but a total rattle-trap, and the build quality absolutely SUCKED, typical of GM cars of this era. Felt like it was assembled with super glue.

    Like 4
  2. Big_FunMember

    I remember during my college years, a fellow named Ryan had one of these – same color, too. He had louvers on the back window.
    Rare(r) back then, as a the IROC was the dominate Camaro in the late eighties (“What? No fog lamps like the IROC? I’m out!” I heard a few say)
    I liked it then, and I like it now.

    Like 2
  3. Superdessucke

    Don’t know the production numbers but Z28s with the TPI LB9 were very rare in 1985-87. Most of them had the LG4. People who wanted the LB9 usually sprang for the IROC package. Chevy got rid of the regular Z28 altogether in 1988. It brought the name back for 1991 but that was because GM lost the rights to the IROC name to Chrysler.

    Like 2
  4. PRA4SNW

    When I see cars like this listed for sale, I always think that a bit of money invested in a professional detailing – wake up the paint, clean the interior – would pay off. Yet, most sellers don’t do it.

    Like 4
  5. Reid Hall

    My Dad had a 84 hardtop version, very similar car,but dark gray on the seat side’s, and light in the centers,Non lovered Z28 hood,with H.O,and 305/V8,and or what they can High Output, his had what they called the aftermarket hypertech/powerchip, custom dual outlet exhaust on each, side,what they call borla aftermarket exhaust, very fast, and quick had to have had 3:42,and or 3:73 gear’s,as l remember when the tunedported car’s came out ,most were 3:42 gear with automatic, and manual car’s were mostly 3:23 gear, but some car’s were special ordered, and which his car most likely was,this appears to be a early 85 car to me because of the options and trim,colors ect.,somewhere in 85 later car’s were mostly what they call Iroc-z,not just Iroc.,later on 89-90,and or maybe 91, just lroc,no Z28,chevy dropped it,and l think they offered 25th anniversary RS,as well as a 25 anniversary Z28,later on,was this car special order, maybe,but without some documentation, no proof how knows,diffivently needs carpet, factory type, and or type replacement carpet which should be available new,old stock, and or a good factory replacement. They say there’s rust, possibly so,they say it was repainted, but l can’t tell from the pictures, maybe it’s just faded,remember silver fades,pretty quickly sometimes, and it looks pretty clean,no mention of the mileage, so if miles are kinda high, and rust worse than it seems, l think at 5-10k l would stay away.

    Like 0
  6. Phlathead Phil

    B.F.’s: You asked readers if they ever owned a mid 80’s Z-28. Well, yes, Phlathed Phil did! It was an ‘84 silver/gray with a 305. These cars were nearly uncontrollable in a heavy rain as they were front end heavy. A spin out was very common due to the light mass rear. Almost had to pull the engine to change the spark plugs. They also had choke pull off problemos (auto choke.) They looked good but my ‘77 Camaro was way better.

    Like 2
  7. Bill M

    Just out of college, I was the second owner of a 1986 Z28 in 1988. The transmission went at 45,000 miles and the T-tops leaked. Biggest piece of junk. Traded it in for a 1990 Acura Integra and never looked back at Detroit.

    Like 0
  8. DocW

    Had an 85 Z28 that I bought with 160000 miles on it. Still ran like a top. Speaking of tops, the T Tops on mine leaked. Even replacing all the weather strips and sealing seams wouldn’t stop it. If I remove correctly, the 85 TPI engine was rated at 225 HP. 86 and later were 215. Fun summer car with the tops removed. Wish I could have kept it. If this one were closer, I’d take a look at it.

    Like 0

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