It’s always interesting to see a car with a Buy-It-Now slowly creep towards that target price with incremental bidding. In some ways, I see it as an indication of real-world interest in a particular model, as cars that never get close to the target are just as telling the other way. The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro has long been an American muscle car icon, and collectors have been paying attention to nice ones. This 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 comes equipped with the preferred 5-speed manual and is listed here on eBay with bids closing in on $17,000.
The Camaro has under 70,000 original miles, which doesn’t make it ridiculously low but it’s certainly not been over-used. The seller acknowledges that the cosmetics are excellent thanks to $7,000 in paint work, which I’m assuming included a total respray at some point in the not-too-distant past. The glass, taillights, decals, and wheels all appear to be in great shape, and I’m curious how much other re-conditioning occurred as part of that cosmetic overhaul. When you see owners begin to make heavy investments in things like paint jobs and other cosmetic improvements, it’s usually a sign that they feel the vehicle in question is worth the effort.
Despite the attractive design of the third-generation models, the interior has always been somewhat ho-hum. In the European car scene, it’s quite common to see even survivor cars upgraded with Recaro bucket seats; it would be the first thing I’d change if I happened to own a Camaro or Trans Am from this generation. The rare manual transmission is indeed hard to find; according to message boards for the 3rd-generation models, it’s estimated that roughly 10 percent of cars came equipped with three pedals. That number is believed to have gradually ticked up in later production years, but it was sold produced in far more limited quantities than the automatic.
The 5.0L V8 may not make much power by modern standards, but you can wake them up nicely without drastically altering the Camaro’s appearance or personality. The seller doesn’t talk about any recent maintenance upgrades or improvements, but we’re just happy to see a bone-stock engine bay. The high output engine kicked out a respectable 190 horsepower and 240 lb. ft. of torque. Add a hot camshaft and an exhaust system and you’ve got a car that will be seriously fun to drive. With the miles and respray, this is a car you can actually use while still being one of the nicest ones on the block.
The IROC was the car to have in 85! Only way to get a manual was to downgrade to the Z. Who wanted a Z when you could get an IROC
Not true. You could get a manual IROC as a standard LG4 or the L69 H.O. This is the latter and quite rare. Only 2,500 built.
This one is legit per VIN and service parts label, though there are things that are off, such as the rims should be gold here.
Not in 1985 IROC didn’t have a manual. I ordered one new back then.
C.a.r.b. Bs ?
An L69 car with a peg-leg rear. Odd set of options. Heater core appears to be bypassed.
jwzg .. indeed unique… crank windows and a/c 🪟 check out the “Realistic” CB…. cool 😎
I am pretty sure that automatic transmissions outsold manuals so badly was the higher-output engines were only available with the automatic. That and a declining populous able to drive a manual.
In the whole description, not once was IROC mentioned. That’s a HUGE fact to omit!! I own an 85 IROC, family owned since my dad drove it off the lot in 85. FUN AS HELL TO DRIVE. And a huge head turner. I live in a community of 400k, and I’ve not seen another IROC out on the road with mine in over 25 years!!!
IMO, much better looking than any later gen.
Who’s going to see “Hankook” on the center tire rib? Silly.
I’d like to see 1 of these w/o a/c & no radio.
I have owned a few , my favorite being an 1989 red vert
I am browsing again but with very specific needs
It must be an airbag equipped, 91&92 and have an LS in it , cause the engines in those years are simply not up to today’s needs .
The price will sadly be high …
My buddy has a 2012 Camaro vert and that thing pulls but gets a thumb down in the looks department
The grandchildren are influencing my return to 4 seater convertible
YOLO
Today’s needs? Unlike in ’78, these days, in my huge metro area, i couldn’t race anyone if i tried 7am to 10pm with all the traffic on the roads. Even the dragstrips are gone here. This camaro would be fine today with a big ’80s v6. As for air bags, are you really going to trust ’91-’92 ones? – are the sensors still good? & if so, will the 34 yr old bags break into a thousand pieces while deploying?