Here at GM Authority, we always have our eyes on the markets of some of The General’s most famous and collectible models from the past. One car that’s been surprising us with its sale prices so far in this decade is the Chevy Camaro Z/28 IROC-Z.
To recap, IROC-Z was an option package offered for the third-generation Chevy Camaro Z/28 starting in 1985. Named after the International Race of Champions, some of its performance features included an upgraded suspension with Delco-Bilstein shocks, beefier sway bars, the “wonder bar” steering/frame brace, and unique wheels with Goodyear “Gatorback” tires shared with the Corvette. The idea was V8 power with track-worthy handling. Famously, it also came with a special decal package that helped make it one of the most iconic American cars of the 1980s.
The third-generation Camaro, including IROC-Z models, spent many years as the cheap Camaro option for enthusiasts on a budget. However, several clean examples have been changing hands at prices we never thought we’d see consistently for the coolest third-gen Camaro.
It appears that it all started with a Z/28 IROC-Z that sold on Bring a Trailer for $55,000 in December 2020. It was truly a classic IROC-Z: Bright Red paint, t-tops, rear window louvers, and even the IROC-Z Preferred Equipment Group #2. Based on the photo gallery, it was in showroom condition at the time that it sold and had about 440 miles on the clock.
Ever since that Camaro sold for $55k in 2020, more than a dozen clean, low-mile IROC-Z sales have happened on Bring a Trailer at prices of $50k or more. In fact, that same red IROC-Z that sold in 2020 sold again on Bring a Trailer in February 2024 for a whopping $67,500. The most recent high-dollar IROC-Z sale happened just last month; a 3.8k-mile example went for an even $50k. Outside of the auction sites, we’ve seen barely-driven examples with six-digit asking prices.
These big-money Camaros raise a question: Is the once-cheap Chevy Camaro Z/28 IROC-Z really a classic muscle car worth over $50k? No GM enthusiast can deny its coolness, but is it cool enough to justify these sale prices?
Comments
Everything is priced twice as high as it should be. Wonder how we got here?
For $50K you could find one, restore it with a put whatever high HP/TQ motor you want in it. Yes, the IROC-Z is a classic sleek looking car, but they are a DOG and SLOW compared to a Honda Accord of today….come on people
Really, an 85, 86, 87 Honda accord is quicker than Iroc Zs of the same years? come on…
Did you miss the “Honda Accord of TODAY” qualifier?
@ DON B.
You truly don’t read for comprehension do you? I said an Accord of TODAY……and yes the Honda would smoke it….SMFH
Yes I missed that.
Well that totally depends on engine and transmission with the Iroc Z. A TPI 350 and 4 speed auto is noted as being a 6.5 second 0-60 car by several sources in certain years for the late 80’s cars. In contrast a 2024 base Accord is rated for 7.3 seconds by C&D and the hybrid is 6.5 seconds. Now if the Iroc were equipped with the base 4BBL or TBI 305 then yes the Accord would indeed smoke it. With the 350/4 speed auto not so much
@ Joe Yoman
Interesting, yes a 2024, but I said of today, so when I researched a 2023 Honda Accord with the 2.0L turbo it states:
The 2023 Honda Accord Sport 2.0t has a 0–60 mph time of 5.5 seconds. The Accord Sport 2.0t and Touring 2.0t are the fastest models of the Honda Accord.
So a 1 year old Accord would destroy a 350 TPI Camaro!!! Like I said…..and I am a huge Camaro man, but $50k for this car with 40 year old technology and performance…….heck no
Why would any savvy auto person even compare a 35-40 year old Camaro to any car built in 2024. But I will compare my 2021 Camaro model LT1 to any 2023-2024 Honda accord and of course totally wipe the floor with it and the sleeper Camaro brand new was 36k, with 455 horse and 455 lb ft of torque of NA V8
@ Don B
HOLY COW…your comprehension skills are terrible. Let me break it down for you so it’s very easy to understand.
The article is asking whether this IROC-Z is worth $50k!! I gave you reasons why it isn’t because it gets destroyed by a 4 cylinder sedan car of today!!! That’s a total waste of money.
I also stated that one could fine a used one, totally REDO the whole thing and put a bigger motor and transmission in it for less than $50K
You talk about your new SS you have…awesome, which you paid $14k less than the $50K they want for this IROC-Z……which now is justifying/solidifying my argument that this IROC-Z isn’t worth the money!!!!!!!
SMFH….are we done yet??
You’re forgetting and missing the biggest part of the equation. The IROC is SUPER COOL. And it’s quick enough for me, even if it wasn’t, it’s JUST COOL.
Owning a 3rd Gen myself I can understand his point. The value is on it been a 40 year old classic muscle car with incredibly low mileage. The only car I could fairly compare this Iroc to is a same year 5.0 Fox Body or a GN.
First things we used to do on L98’s was open up intake entrance, delete smog pump, and get a cat back and it wasn’t the same car anymore. With everything else I did in the following years I would need to run street slicks just to test my 0-60 time.
No. No it is not.
“Is The Chevy Camaro Z/28 IROC-Z Truly Worth Over $50k?”
No.
P.S. If you say yes, give me a call. I got something for you.
I can see this, Gen. X are driving the prices up of cars of our youth (just look at what the boomers did with the classic muscle cars). A look at the prices of square bodies will point in that direction.
Next up will be the Civic’s, Supra’s, etc. when the millennials take over.
Apparently we have people in this world with too much money and not enough common sense.
I can respect and possibly even appreciate many people’s opinions, but I dare say that between the article itself and the comments, you might be missing the point. Am I the only one who looks at it as a potential collectible and not a daily driver? I’m probably not going to be making any vehicle purchases for a while, but given different circumstances I’d consider something like this. I’m very happy with my 2023 Z06 as my fun car and occasional daily driver. My very first car was a 1988 IROC-Z (L98) and it was great. So, I’m biased through sentimentality. Tbh, I’m not really wanting to think about material things as I lost a dear relative just this morning. God Bless my sweet sister.
P.S. Comments about this Corvette engine powered car that kicked butt and took names in its day with modern Honda Accords is silly, imo. A Honda Odyssey minivan will out accelerate and out handle an old Corvette. So?!? Apples and oranges.
I’m about as big of an IROC fan as you will find. I had one for a long time, dove head first into the community, both online and in person, and to this day it’s the ONLY vehicle I regret selling. I WILL be buying another in the future. That said, I’d say $30k would be my limit for a pristine one. I’ll likely buy one with 50k or less miles that is a very clean driver then swap the engine to a modern V8, drivetrain, and suspension. I’m not into “collector” cars that will sit in a bubble and wish for the value to go up.
So sorry for your loss!
I just don’t see these being so much of a collectible that one day the person who bought it for $50k is going to get a strong enough ROI on it 20 years from now.
There’s a butt for every seat. Although I would not pay 50 grand or more for it, the car is truly stunning for what it is. Great color combo and appears brand new. You wouldn’t (I hope) buy this for a daily driver, but look at what you get today for that same 50 grand. Over-sized, bland and boring boxes called SUV’s.
So good luck on the sale and I hope whomever ends up with this car can and will appreciate it a lot. Remember, there’s a ton of people out there who drink 50 grand worth of booze or suck that much white powder up their noses each year. I’d rather see someone buy and truly enjoy this car over the many other vices out there.
Owning a 87 L98 being GenX is more about hearing the engine, feeling the torque, and listening tunes from the late 80’s and early 90’s when I bought it. I can understand one with less than 500 miles selling high but I can’t understand why sell my 42k mile weekend ride.
If it’s clean well preserved with low mileage with all the options and a good color it’s worth it. You couldn’t put miles on it and drive it because you would kill the value. What do you spend for a car for 50 grand these days? I know it seems like a lot of money, but you won’t lose in a couple years down the road
Super low mileage ones,like that black ’85 Iroc found in a trailer yes…but the 5 digit mile cars no.
My first car was a red 1988 IROC-Z convertible bought in 1994. Had soooo many problems with it and by close to 100K miles the engine was starting to go I sold in 1999 for $1K. Fun car that got me laid a lot tho, lol.
I was 18 and on June 10th 1985 I bought a brand new red iroc z for 15,210$. Loved that car and beat the hell out of it drag racing it against 85 5.0 mustangs. Lost most of the time it was a 15 second car at best even with the hyper chip lol.. 50,000 to bring back those days.. maybe.. but I’m 57 now and have better things to spend my money on and have the memorys..
Sure it is ! Ask Barrett Jackson and all those other Auction pumpers who RUIN the market for average Joes who would love to own a classic.
Nothing with TPI junk under the hood is worth $50k.
I think the comments about GenXers coming of age and pushing cars of their youth is spot on. I’m a mid 70s baby and my first ride was an 86′ stock V6 2.8 metallic blue. It sounded and looked way better than then it performed. I was way more into sound systems and having a ride for dates back then and coming from a mid-income family, that car was the one. The one thing people never mention is if you’re over 6′, these cars we’re awesome to drive. Plenty of leg room, knees never bent up under dash…laid back. The absolute best part, the back seat was an F U to anyone that needed a ride somewhere. Just room for you and her. IMHO, the 90-93 IROCs with honey comb rear lights were the best looking of the 3rd gen. Happy arguing fellas!
So true about the rear seat. Actually took the seats out for a bigger fu
Bring your Honda , I’ll beat the doors off with my 383 strocker 500hp IROC z 1989