Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

IROC-Z Edition: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

The Chevy Camaro enjoyed two back-to-back extended production runs: the second generation from 1970 to 1981 and the third generation from 1982 to 1992. During part of the latter’s cycle, you could order the IROC-Z performance option that could only be had on the Z28 Camaro, and it included a new version of the 305 cubic inch V8. The seller’s car from 1986 is one example and with just 27,500 miles it still wears its original tires. For whatever reason, it’s been sitting in a garage since 1997 and is now available here on eBay for a starting bid of $15,000. The catch is you’ll have to travel to Pearl City, Hawaii to collect your new prize. Thanks for the cool tip, T.J.!

By most accounts, the third-gen Camaro’s were reliable, good-looking cars that had sufficient oomph when a V8 was ordered. Top-of-the-line in 1986 was the Z28 with the IROC-Z package. 49,585 of the total production of 192,219 Camaro’s had RPO B4Z, the IROC Sport Equipment Package. With it, you had your choice of two 305 V8s: the LG4 which was standard in the Z28 and produced 155 hp; that was followed up by the LB9 which was good for 190 hp and only available in the Z28. We don’t know which of the two is in the seller’s car, he/she doesn’t mention it, and the VIN is of no help.

This garage queen comes with a squeaky clean Experion Auto Check report. It’s a one-owner car that’s been idle for the better part of 25 years. The Chevy wears its original paint which has a few nicks and scratches but looks quite presentable otherwise, though not perfect. We’re told it’s never been in an accident and no signs of rust are apparent.

The interior is also original and looks fine although there are fuzzy covers over the front buckets. While the seller says it’s mint inside, the fabric under the covers looks to need a good cleaning. No photos of the engine compartment are provided, but the seller says the battery and fuel pump are new and it starts up fine. It could use a tune-up and we’re told it should be ready to rock and roll once a new set of tires is installed. These were popular cars, but not the hot properties they once were in the 1960s.

Comments

  1. Avatar poseur Member

    the call-outs on the rockers and rear bumper identify this as the TPI LB9 with the lame cam. previous year engines had 215hp and really ripped (comparatively) to the redline, much like the L69 HO carb 5.0.
    double lame that it has the auto.
    regardless, fun cars that do what they should: lay rubber and stick to the pavement in corners.
    long doors tended to sag and provide excess noise and issues with closure over time.
    this one looks to be an honest well preserved example with only the faded bumper covers and peeling clearcoat to give it away.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Bick Banter

      The lame cam is called the peanut cam by enthusiasts. Specs were 179/190 duration and .370/.390 lift. It was used in the LG4, LO3, and 1986-92 automatic LB9s

      1985 and 1987 and up manual LB9s had 202/206 duration and .403″/.415″ lift. The specs varied slightly over the years but stayed in that general ballpark.

      Like 3
  2. Avatar Stephen

    I have an 86 convertible that was an engineer purchase. 40 k on it. Black on gold. Beyond clean unmolested. #52 of 200 converted. Really cool car though.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Mike

    The clutter around the car looks staged

    Like 3
    • Avatar Glenn

      It look’s staged over many years! Take a closer look mike.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Stan

    Perfect car for a Hawaii private eye. Like a Jim Rockford Pontiac Esprìt.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Ed

      I would prefer the Ferrari.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Connecticut mark

    These cars were stolen more than any car here, maybe other states too. Friend had 4 all stolen , then he bought a Toyota pickup.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Tony Primo

      Nice, he went from one highly stolen vehicle to another!

      Like 5
  6. Avatar Tommy T-Tops

    Why would you put a surf board on top of paint without even throwing a towel or something under there?

    Like 7
  7. Avatar Bick Banter

    I’m kind of surprised this has not drawn a single bid at $15,000. There have been a few utterly stupid money purchases of these on Bring a Trailer recently, including a 6,000-mile ’88 for $61.5k (non-1LEs too) and a 4,500 mile ’87 for $60k.

    So: 1) there’s something wrong with this one, 2) the IROC was a temporary flavor of the month for the super rich, 3) the market is softening significantly, or 4) super low mileage IROCs depreciate by about $500 a mile if you actually drive them.

    Like 1
    • Avatar poseur Member

      maybe cause it’s in Hawaii?
      certainly complicates transportation unless one is blessed enough to live there.

      Like 8
      • Avatar Bick Banter

        Yes, yu could be right. The cost to ship a car to the mainland is roughly $1500 to $2000. But you would think that wouldn’t be a deterrent to a $15k bid if these were worth anywhere near what the BaT crowd has thought lately.

        That or we have found a new trick to get low cost collector cars haha! Or should I say, hihi, LOL!!

        Like 1
    • Avatar Mr. Chevy

      Or maybe the shipping back to the contiguous 48 does t make it worth it.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Gray Wolf

      My trailer won’t float, I’m out!!

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Brian W

    The 1989 and later cars got the electronic PASS key theft deterrent anti theft system. The IROCs were discontinued after the 1990 model year (Chevy lost their license to the IROC name) so post 90 cars went back to being Z28s.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Howie

    Or you could buy it and move there. No engine photos.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Artyparty

    What was the top speed of these cars? I was looking through the photos and thought I was viewing the Rev Counter, then realised that it was the Speedo!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Melton Mooney

      Take an iroc to a car show and it will only take about a microsecond for someone who’ll tell you about their bother’s old IROC going 150 or 160, or some other such impressive number, but the reality is a little less exciting.
      If an IROC was factory equipped with z-rated tires, you also got a 145mph speedometer and a computer limited speed of around 125mph. If your car had v-rated tires, the speedo read 115 (i think), and the speed was electronically limited to around 112.
      I once ran top end against another stock iroc and in that case those numbers held up. Mine is an 89 and the other car was an 87. The 87 started falling back at 110-115, and mine ran on up to exactly 130 (indicated) when the limiter started bumping. It was pretty much out of wind by then anyway, but I was pretty amazed that a stock 305 tpi auto, went that fast.

      Like 2

Leave a Reply to Tony Primo Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.