The third-generation Camaro remains one of those cars I’d like to own someday, along with an SVO Mustang. If I were to seek out an IROC-Z, it would be spec’d exactly like this one, a 1985 model with the 5-speed manual and L69 V8. The color combination of this car is also a treat, as we don’t often see them in blue amongst a field of red and blacks. Find this highly-preserved IROC here on craigslist for $13,900 in Florida.
I got an education on the virtues of the L69, courtesy of a poster on Camaro5.com: “The L69 is an upgraded version of the LG4 but with flat topped pistons, a better camshaft, two air intake snorkels, a wider exhaust system, the wider catalytic converter from the Corvette, a 9.5:1 compression ratio instead of 8.6:1, richer secondary metering rods, etc. It was only offered in 1983, 1984, limited production in 1985, and 74 made for racing in 1986, but 11 were made for the public.” Despite making slightly less power than the 5.0L 305, the L69 sounds to have more of a competition pedigree than the bread-and-butter 305.
And that’s what we often forget, especially given the significance of the IROC moniker: the third-generation Camaros were, and still are, tremendously competent track cars. I used to see these regularly at autocross events, and there’s plenty of evidence of their domination within the International Race of Champions series, or IROC. The package added beefier suspension components, the “wonderbar” steering brace, upgraded wheels and tires, and a lowered ride height over unique Delco / Bilstein shock absorbers. This example likely retains all of those bits given its high state of preservation, along with a minty OEM-correct interior.
The high price tag seen here feels a bit ahead of the market, though I don’t dispute the seller’s claims that these cars are poised for a jump. I wouldn’t spend over $10K just yet, but I might get close to it for a car like this with the right equipment and in stock condition. The seller notes this car also features a rare quartz clock option, which was a feature found in less than 1% of 1985 Camaro models. Do with that what you will; the most important features are what lies under the hood and the shock towers.
I thought the L69 ran better then the tuned port injection.
Deleted by author. = Gone.
Here it is after a quick search… for less $$
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/clearwater-1985-iroc-camaro1-ownerrare/6818611143.html
gone
Try this one in Texas… https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/mercedes-mint-1985-z28-5-speed-2-owner/6820014082.html
Pretty certain the L69 cars were considered the 305 HO. I had two of them. One Z28 one TA. 1984 and 1985 respectively. A whopping 190hp!! Nice motor back then. Both 5 speed cars. Carbureted
I would liked to have known the miles on it. It looks good except for the striped upholstery, not my favorite. My wife saved her black Z28 from 1985 as well. It has the TPI 305 a standard Z28 we bought it a couple months prior to seeing a IROC land at our dealership. Black with all options, a black cloth interior, t tops etc, gold valance and stripes. It has 8001 miles on it today. It does have a lot of pep, I’ve had to hold on a few times when she took me out riding in it, about once or twice a year. I remember the new sticker price was about $13,500. I think the price on the IROC was probably a good one. They are a fun car to drive regardless of the cheaper materials they are made from.
It clearly says 86,000 miles in the re- listed ad that I found & shared above. The author must have rethought the price because it is now 1000 dollars less as well. I wonder how you missed it.
Because that ad was deleted too.
I really like the design of these.
The corvettes were way more advanced than the camaro’s of the same era, here’s my 84 with only 59k miles.
This is very interesting to me. I always knew you could only get a 5-speed with a 305 (350 was automatic only) but I never knew any IROCs were made without TPI fuel injection.
…and then in ’87 you could get them with a five speed AND a convertible! ; )
interior.
Looks like a Michigan State Patrol car I used be on the lookout for back in the day. Many states ( except Wisconsin) used these. They, like the SSP Mustangs were an intimidating sight.
Very low option car, A/C and the clock. No T-tops and higher mileage makes this a four figure car, not five. For now.
T-Tops were not a very common option.
They dominated the IROC series because they raced against other IROC Camaros….
The question of which had the most power got me to look online, horsepower ratings etc seemed to be adjusted every couple years with these 305 engines. I have copied and pasted this 1985 section from the website which I will also provide the link. It seems we could look in the right places in a junkyard, we can still find a pretty peppy engine for our hot rods…LOL..anyway here it is,..>For 1985, a new 215 horsepower 5.0 liter Tuned Port Injection (TPI) V8 was added to the Z28 and Trans Am option list. Since the 5.0 TPI V8 was only available with a 4-speed automatic for 1985-1986, the L69 for 1985-1986 served as the high-performance manual transmission motor for the Z28, Iroc-Z, and Trans Am (the L69 could not be ordered with the automatic transmission in the Z28, Iroc-Z, and Trans Am for 1985-1986). For 1986 the TPI 5.0 was detuned to 190 horsepower which was the same horsepower rating of the 1986 L69.https://oldcarmemories.com/1983-1988-chevrolet-l69-5-0-liter-305-cid-h-o-v8-a-genuine-1980s-legend/<.
IROC- Incapable Of Racing Other Cars–
Sorry couldn’t resist
Cheers
GPC
Went to 5 different dealerships in 1988 with cash-in-hand to buy one of these. I wanted an electric blue convertible, black top, black leather, TPI 350, 5-speed, power windows, and a few other things. It was entirely possible, but no one would place the order, always trying to find me an already built car that was “close”. I took the money and bought a Harley. I still think these were the best looking Cameros ever built.
I know, that stinks. I ordered my Camaro in 1981 and they tried like hell to talk me into taking something from their lot at a discount price. I finally found a dealer that would take my order.
I’m sure that by 1988 that had pretty much stopped taking orders and it is probably almost impossible today, except for the Mini. I ordered one of those in 2008 with all of performance options and none of the electronic do-dads.
It was absurd. A cash buyer and they won’t take my money ? They would rather play games. Several had my deposit for weeks after they said they’d placed the order, and then I’d get a call saying they’d found a coupe, or a red car, or a …. and want to know if that was close enough ! I’d go pick up my deposit back and go to the next dealer. At one dealer, I got dinner and a date out of the very attractive sales gal, and she still was trying to get me into an RS or an automatic trans car ! The last one sat on my deposit for over a month. I was convinced that the special-ordered car would be showing up any day, and they call and tell me they found a red Trans Am in Boise and could have it shipped. I was pissed and asked “Isn’t the special order car built and one its way?” They said they had not place the order yet, as they tried to find one that met my specs on a lot somewhere …. 😜
Dealers order ALL their cars, based on what they expect will sell well for them. They check the right boxes and the car shows up. Pretty simple. Not sure what the disconnect was. That was the last car made that I would want to buy new. I went back to restoring oldies.
Probably the best Camaro, ever made. I love the body style of it. Very attractive car. Someone apparently had the same thought, because the ad was removed.
The 1985 IROC with the L69 is super rare. They stopped making the L69 due to vapor lock issues if I remember correctly. This was the hottest package with a 5 speed until 1987 when you could get the big cam LB9 with a 5 speed and a 3.45 gear. When you checked off the L69 option in 1985 it also had a 3.73 gear. You mention 11 1986’s made for the public…….as far as I know this is going to be as easy to find one of those as the 1986 L98 IROC……
If anyone is looking, I saw an awesome looking 87 IROC with 350 and 5 speed in the facebook marketplace today and it’s black. Beautiful looking car. I think the price was around 6200 if I’m not mistaken but it was in pretty nice looking shape.
$13K is a good price for an unmolested L69 IROC-Z.
If it’s still available, someone should snap it up.
They are indeed the most race-oriented option of any 85 Camaro. Those TPI guys only look at horsepower, and ignore the shorter rear end and the 5-speed.
And I know there are petrolheads out there that still prefer a QJet carburetor over the TPI set-up.