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GM Abandons Trademark Filing For IROC-Z

General Motors has abandoned its application to trademark IROC-Z with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, GM Authority has uncovered.

GM originally filed to trademark IROC-Z in October 2018 for three specific goods and services categories:

  • Non-luminous and non-mechanical metal signs
  • T-shifts
  • Scale model vehicles

The Detroit-based automaker abandoned the filing in all three categories on July 25th, 2019.

The original discovery of the IROC-Z trademark sparked rumors in some circles that GM was planning a new IROC-Z special edition of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. However, a cursory look at the Goods and Services categories listed in the filing should have immediately dispelled any hopes of an actual IROC-Z variant. Instead, it seems that GM moved to trademark the name to sell scale models and other paraphernalia with IROC-Z branding.

But the fact that GM abandoned the trademark filing takes a back seat to why it abandoned it in the first place.

It would seem that GM gave up on its own filing for IROC-Z because 6LE Design, a California-based purveyor of aftermarket parts and accessories, registered the IROC-Z trademark in 2017. To GM’s chagrin, 6LE registered the mark in the Goods and Services category of “Automobiles and structural parts thereof,” effectively registering a trademark that should have belonged to GM all along.

6LE also created a one-off IROC-Z model of the sixth-generation Camaro (pictured above and below), while also offering various elements to create a modern-day IROC-Z on various Camaro generations. It’s also worth noting that 6LE designs ceased operations in November 2018, with its various assets being divided between Magg Performance and IROC Motorsports.

The IROC name holds historic value for the world at large as well as for GM and Chevrolet. The International Race of Champions (IROC) was a North American auto racing competition wherein drivers raced identically-prepped, production-car-based stock cars that were configured by a single team of mechanics. The objective of the series was to make the race purely a test of driver ability. The series opened in 1974 and folded in 2006, after not being able to secure a sponsor.

1990 Camaro IROC-Z 1LE

The Chevrolet Camaro, along with the Pontiac TransAm, were two of the most popular vehicles used in the competition. To celebrate the series, GM introduced a special version of the third-generation Camaro in 1985 called Camaro IROC-Z as a package offered on top of the Camaro Z28 that featured various enhancements to the exterior, powertrain and chassis.

Alas, a future Camaro IROC-Z is not in the cards. In fact, a sixth-gen Camaro Z/28 is also out of the question. So if anyone suggests that GM is working on a modern-day IROC-Z based on some trademark filings, be sure to point them right here for clarification.

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Comments

  1. It probably doesn’t cost General Motors very much money for a name filing; but given that there wouldn’t be a IROC race in the near future, GM probably thinks doing so would be a waste of time and most people equate the ZL1 as being the top Camaro.

    Reply
  2. IROC means nothing anymore. It’s just a name in history.

    If you want a name for today use TA2 for the Trans Am series where the Camaro does quite well.

    Reply
  3. The vast majority of the public didn’t (and still doesn’t) even know about the IROC racing series nor the Trans Am series mentioned. Everyone I knew in the 80’s until this day think IROC was like a sportier Z28. They think IROC was a Chevy name. IROC will forever be tied to Chevrolet and the Gen 3 Camaro. Another entity may legally own the IROC name but Chevrolet will always own it in the minds of most.

    Much like Heartbeat Of America and Like A Rock, it’s all Chevrolet… No matter who lays claim to the legal rights.

    Reply
    1. Those racing series are/were better fits for the pony cars. A pre-recorded Trans-Am race would make for better Sunday morning broadcast TV than (admitted) infomercials. No one I know thinks of Camaro as a Nascar body where a generic Chevy would work just as well. I really hope GM’s internal accounting doesn’t put the Nascar bill on the Camaro.

      Reply
    2. You remember who sang on the chevy truck commercial, like a rock ?

      Reply
      1. Bob Segar

        Reply
        1. Lol what year was it lol I can’t remember.

          Reply
          1. 91-04

            Reply
            1. That was awhile ago, thanks.

              Reply
  4. gm should bring back the iroc z28 now it is and was the best Camaro car ever in the world never ever give up the best car in the world gm please bring back the iroc z and let’s iroc and roll out of here

    Reply
  5. I miss my IROC-Z, exactly like the one pictured. The burgundy color was by far the best.

    Reply
    1. I got my 87 Iroc-z for $500 and a subwoofer amp! The guy couldn’t get it running. All it needed was the fuel pump fuse beside the battery!

      Reply
  6. We used to joke that IROC stood for I Reek Of Cologne.

    Reply
    1. “Polo” actually.

      Reply
  7. I had 2 iroc-z like The Comeback and I will buy a new one

    Reply
  8. Didn’t Dodge have the name for a while too on the Daytona Iroc with a 2.2 turbo

    Reply
  9. That 6LE IROC-Z is just disgusting. I would be embarrassed bro drive that over styled hot wheels car.

    Reply
  10. The gm iroc z was a good motor back in the day and me as a Man that drives GM car’s I believe that they should bring the iroc z back but in a newer and better version.if they did that I don’t think Ford would be able to compete

    Reply
    1. Reply
  11. That’s GM and that CEO! Don’t need IROC – Z any more Camaro is history once again
    Chevy needs a muscle car, Corvette needs it’s own division front engine / mid engine make real Hypercars , leave Camaro V8 ‘s as competition with ford, dodge ? Just a thought.

    Reply

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