The International Race of Champions (IROC) was a racing series that brought together top drivers from different motorsports, put them in identical cars, and then waved the green flag to determine who was the best behind the wheel. This 1988 Camaro IROC-Z, listed on eBay in Westland, Michigan for $5,000, shows 93,000 miles on the clock and, while a little tired in appearance, looks to be fairly original.
The International Race of Champions began in 1973 using Porsche 911s, but switched to Chevrolet Camaros in 1975. The Camaro remained the series’ dedicated race car through 1980, returning when IROC resumed competition in 1984. Chevrolet capitalized on the association by licensing the IROC name for its production Camaro, first appearing in 1985 as an upgraded Z28. By 1988, the year of our featured car, the Z28 was gone, and the IROC-Z stood alone as the flagship Camaro. The name lasted through 1990, although those final cars were actually built in late 1989.
The base IROC engine was a 305ci V8 with throttle-body injection, producing all of 170 horsepower—a fairly typical all-show, little-go proposition for the era. Fortunately, our featured car has the 305 with Tuned Port Injection, paired with an automatic transmission, bumping output to 210 horsepower. Buyers wanting more could opt for the 350ci V8, introduced in 1987, which produced 225 horsepower in 1988. While the paint is faded, I couldn’t find any serious rust to complain about, other than some surface corrosion underneath the car and around the hatch. The interior is similarly worn, with a cracked dash and dingy seats, but nothing that looks beyond rehabilitation. Power windows, power locks, and the requisite T-tops are all present, with the latter even retaining their storage bags in the trunk (although missing interior trim). The seller admits the tops leak, but then again, didn’t they all? Multiple photos of the Tuned Port Injection V8 are included as well.
The seller says the Camaro drives well, although he somewhat defensively points out that he’s not a professional test driver. I’m inclined to believe him, given that his eBay selling history consists mostly of home furnishings. A number of parts were replaced in 2023, and the car was repainted back in 2005. From the truth in advertising department: the check engine light is on, the engine stalls periodically, the battery drains, the speedometer is inaccurate, and the brakes need attention. So perhaps “drives well” is a relative term. At $5,000, this IROC-Z seems priced about right for its overall condition, which may explain the number of watchers. It’s certainly a salvageable project, doesn’t appear to have been messed with, and with interest in 1980s performance cars continuing to grow, this could be an affordable way to get in on the ground floor. Just budget for a little more than the purchase price before you’re ready to relive the back end of the decade of excess.
It’s gone!! A steal at that price!!
Seller took an offer too.
Steve R