One Owner Survivor: 1986 Chevy Camaro Z28

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While it is impossibly easy to buy a Camaro or Firebird from the 80s for a few hundred bucks, those are beat-to-hell examples with barely any identifying features left as to their showroom appearance. This 1986 IROC Z28 bucks that trend, presenting as a nicely maintained survivor with a low 34K miles on the clock. These are rarely this nice, and you’ll find this example here on eBay with a $15.5K Buy-It-Now and the option to submit a best offer.

This example isn’t necessarily a limited production model with upgraded suspension or other optional features, but it is a comfortable driver that will cruise nicely all day long. OEM window louvers and mudflaps are sensible add-ons, but we most like seeing the iconic IROC-Z lettering in good shape and OEM wheels not painted black or some other trendy color. The body is excellent with no obvious signs of damage and shutlines look good.

The interior is another highlight, with a front passenger seat and backseat that appear completely unused. The dash has no cracks and an OEM radio remains in the center stack. The arm rest isn’t torn from years of crude elbows, and the carpets show no stains. The automatic / 305 combo isn’t exactly desirable, but again – how many are left in this sort of condition? Finding a preserved GTA isn’t hard if you want the performance spec over a Sunday driver.

The odometers can fail but the condition of this 1986 model is far too nice for it to be a coincidence. The Camaro is located somewhere in Illinois, which certainly does experience winter, but this Z28 didn’t spend much time in it. The price is somewhat optimistic in my opinion, but these cars are also so hard to find without an obscene price tag attached to a preserved pace car or the aforementioned GTA. This is a driver you can enjoy while still knowing you own one of the best on the road.

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Comments

  1. Mike

    Every woman I knew that drove an 80’s Camaro was named either Debbie or Sharon.

    Like 16
    • Ike Onick

      Don’t forget Donna!

      Like 13
      • Crazyhawk

        LOL! I think you guys are right! Although in my town, girls driving Camaros were named Laurie. I normally think this color is kind of boring, but it looks really good here with the gold trim.

        Like 5
      • Fiete T.

        Tammy
        Tonya/Tanya

        Like 2
  2. jw454

    If this dealer didn’t buy it new, it’s at least a two owner. Don’t care for the red interior but the car is nice.

    Like 7
  3. DayDreamBeliever Alan (Michigan)

    I think that when someone sees it in person, he or she will be disappointed by the color differences between the body and plastic (bumpers, spoiler) paint finishes. Paying to have a professional come up with a better color match on those parts will be expensive. This is a great looking car, but chemistry disparities between the paints will show over time, and this is a prime example that it can even happen while protected from the sun.

    Like 1
    • Miguel

      You can’t be disappointed because all of them are like that from the factory.

      They couldn’t get the color to match from the metal pieces to the plastic pieces.

      Like 4
    • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

      Might as well fix the hood while squirting the bumpers. From the front it reminds me of a wide body Chevy Monza. The T-tops look good on this one with the black louvers.

      Like 0
  4. steven

    Talk about a car that really NEEDS an LS swap

    Like 7
  5. Scott

    My 1 owner 1991 Firebird has 27K miles on it. Nice to know its value.

    Like 0
  6. Coventrycat

    That’ll make someone’s mullet tingle.

    Like 14
  7. Scott Gengler

    I have a 1987 350 car with same miles and same color except mine has gray interior, original down to even tires. Gave $12500 for it 3 years ago. Would guess this price is very optimistic

    Like 1
    • Miguel

      The 5.7 cars were pretty rare.

      We had a new one on the lot. It was white with the red leather.

      Every one of the managers used it as a demo and put miles on it.

      We then sold it for new car price as they were hard to get.

      What day was your car made?

      Like 0
  8. Den

    Buyer beware !!!!!!!! Read sellers feedback !! Not good .

    Like 1
  9. irocrobb

    It seems everyone knocks these old 3rd generation cars but I own two Irocs and think they are great driving and easy to work on cars.To me they were ahead of there time when introduced. Both mine have manual transmissions and are responsive as well as corner real well. My 86 is the same colour as this one.
    Some day,hopefully in my lifetime they will start to get the respect they deserve.

    Like 3
  10. Joe64NYWF

    With such “low mileage”, why don’t the hidden wipers park correctly?
    & why are the hood louvers faded? hmmh

    Like 0
    • Ike Onick

      GM built it during the 1980’s. No further comment required.

      Like 2
  11. Patrick Shanahan

    IMO way over priced. You can buy a Vette (which is a lot more car) in the same condition up to “96 for $8-12k. Unless you prefer a Camero.

    Like 2
  12. Darren

    No way getting that for 305 car . It is nice though!

    Like 0

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