Rare 5-Speed: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

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Photos aren’t the best for this claimed unrestored 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28 with the rare five-speed manual and T-top roof, but if the details are accurate, it looks to be an impressive survivor. The paint and decals aren’t original, and while the seller admits neither is perfect, he claims to have put an emphasis on keeping it as-is rather than losing all originality and restoring it back to as-new condition. The Camaro is with its fourth owner and powered by an LB9 V8 making 215 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The seller includes a decent list of repairs as well, and it sounds like everyone of its previous three caretakers has placed an emphasis on preserving it for the long haul. Find it here on eBay with bids to $18,100 and the reserve unmet.

For an original paint car with some miles on her, this Camaro still presents incredibly well. Given every owner has seemingly placed an emphasis on indoor storage, the cosmetics have held up well despite black paint typically not being easy to maintain. The black-on-gold look is a classic one for a Camaro of this generation, and the original wheels appear to be in similar condition to the rest of the car, which is to say very nice. I love seeing taillights like these that still look new with no evidence of sun fading or cracking, although the seller does acknowledge that one of the fog lamps is cracked. With no signs of clear coat failure and generally a desire to keep survivors like these as original as possible, I wouldn’t touch the paint.

The interior isn’t anything particularly eye-catching with gray fabric upholstery covering the bucket seats. Still, what is there is in good condition with no signs of rips or stains. The real story, of course, is the Borg-Warner five-speed manual transmission that is generally somewhat hard to find but quite desirable to many fans of the third-generation Camaro. The seller notes the Camaro originated in Texas and retains its rust-free floors, along with original details like the factory radio. Surprisingly, there’s no mention of air conditioning, which this car would surely have given it originated in Texas – so there’s a question to ask for any potential bidders in the room.

The engine bay is clean and shows no signs of aftermarket modifications. Most of the maintenance items listed by the seller are focused on the brakes and suspension, but there is a recent coolant flush and thermostat replacement in the maintenance file. Sway bar bushings, brake lines, and parking brake cable are all among the list of recent parts installed, and given the low mileage, I wouldn’t expect the Camaro to need much else – but it would still be preferable to hear what else may have been done service-wise by a previous owner. Overall, third generation Camaros are on the upswing as bidding for this highly original example shows, and even more so for the elusive five-speed cars.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. JCAMember

    Nice. Seller states the reserve is $24k and he will break even at that number

    Like 2
  2. nycbjrMember

    Wait is the paint orginal or not? you said it isn’t in the opening paragraph, then the second you said it is lol

    Like 8
  3. That 80's Guy The Tower

    Nothing rare about this car, but it is nice.

    Can’t believe what IROCs are fetching these days. I might need to look into selling my 98k mile ’88.

    Like 4
    • Bobby

      It’s actually fairy rare to find a 5 speed with the 350. Not sure if you have that combo or not but most 5 speeds were behind the 305.

      Like 8
      • That 80's Guy The Tower

        The 350 was never offered from the factory with the 5-speed in a 3rd-gen, as the motor exceeded the transmission’s torque capacity.

        Anyone claiming to have one built this way is either lying about the engine or the transmission was swapped.

        Like 18
      • Bobby

        That’s what I thought. I had a 305 because I wanted the 5 speed. Never seen a 5 speed 350 so I wasn’t sure but that makes sense

        Like 2
  4. BA

    if I was pineing for a slow car that needed a 5 speed to seem fast I’d be all over it but since my pickup doubles this cars horsepower I’ll probably watch what someone is going to pay for 1987 technology

    Like 1
    • C

      I think some people dont care about things like that and just enjoy driving a vintage car no matter how “fast” (or slow) they are, i have a very vintage toy that i love and a Toyota Camry would blow the doors of it however when I’m at the car wash the people come to ‘oh’ ah’ at my car while the Camry is on the other stall sitting there all by its lonesome.

      Many years from now that truck of yours will be all but forgotten while this Camaro here will still be considered a classic and lauded upon, i guess as a parting conversation piece i always wonder about the need for speed in a country where a guy with a car that has little lights on the top is just anxiously waiting to separate you from your hard earned cash the minute this “speed’ theory wants to be put to the test,lol

      Like 12
  5. PaulG

    The eBay ad calls it a 305.
    I think the ask is cRaZy $$ but what isn’t these days!
    Guess I should have hung onto the 90 I had…

    Like 4
  6. Chris

    No a/c, despite its Texas roots. Guess the original owner was more concerned with performance than comfort.

    Like 0
  7. Hound59

    Even the 305 TPI with a stick is pretty rare.

    Like 1
  8. Steve Clinton

    “Photos aren’t the best for this claimed unrestored 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28”
    Perhaps they’re just parting it out.

    Like 1
  9. Troy

    I had one back in the 90’s traded for a Ford F150 best deal ever

    Like 0
  10. TPK

    Guess I should have kept my ’82 4-speed. That first year Berlinetta was the only model that a 4-speed could be ordered with. Z28’s were automatic only.

    ’83 or ’84 was the first year of the 5 speed. I believe it was still only offered in the Berlinetta model

    Like 0
  11. Steve

    A black car with no AC, count me out! That makes it rare.

    Like 1
  12. PRA4SNW

    Ended at $20,100, Reserve Not Met.

    Like 0
  13. DonziDon

    I had an 86 Iroc Z. fun car back then. Handled well but lacked HP but fun none the less. They should have come with the 350 and the 5sp. Amazing the prices they are going for now. Can get a low mileage C4 vette cheaper !

    Like 0
  14. t-bone BOB

    Ended:
    Dec 12, 2021
    Current bid:
    US $20,100.00
    Reserve price not met

    Located in:
    Ashburn, Virginia,

    Relisted
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=125062013498&vxp=mtr

    Like 0
  15. t-bone BOB

    Ended:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Price:
    US $23,777.00

    Like 0

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