The IROC-Z performance variant of the third-generation Chevy Camaro is becoming quite a collector item. We see clean, low-mile examples consistently changing hands with price tags over $50k, and there’s one going to auction that might be the most desirable IROC-Z of all.
A 1990 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z 1LE with a mere six miles on the odometer is headed to the Mecum Kissimmee auction on Saturday, January 18th. The original window sticker is included in the sale, and this one had a sticker price of $16,779.
According to the listing, this Camaro was originally purchased at Lavery Chevrolet in Alliance, Ohio. It’s been in basement storage ever since, and it was never driven or plated. The car was professionally detailed in 2024 after it was purchased by the second owner, which is why it doesn’t look like it’s been sitting in a basement for 35 years.
Power comes from a 5.7L V8 L98 engine rated at 245 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque. Due to its high torque output, this engine was only available with the 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The Camaro is finished in Bright Blue Metallic with a gray interior, and it lacks the stripe package commonly associated with the IROC-Z, giving it a slightly subtler look.
You’d be forgiven for not knowing there was such a thing as a Chevy Camaro IROC-Z 1LE. According to the Mecum listing, only 62 were ever made, and they were something of a secret. When you ordered the performance axle ratio (RPO G92) and deleted the air conditioning (C41), the 1LE package was automatically applied. Intended for SCCA Showroom Stock racing, it brought an upgraded suspension system, a larger, baffled fuel tank, an engine oil cooler, and a lower curb weight by eliminating some comfort and convenience features like air conditioning and the radio.
If you’ve kept your eye on the Chevy Camaro IROC-Z market in the last couple of years, you’ve likely noticed their increasing value as they become more collectible. Until recently, the third-gen Camaro had a reputation as being the most affordable path to Camaro ownership, but the collector’s market is there for the IROC-Z variants. It will be interesting to see the winning bid for this one.
Comments
My first car was a 1988 red convertible IROC-Z with manual transmission. I cringe when I think back how dangerous I was in that car.
Beautiful car! Love the IROC-Z cars. Wish GM would have found a way to keep the rights to the IROC name.
How about this GM, bring us back the Camaro immediately, find a way to get these rights and give us an all new “Z”, advertise for it with sweet retro style commercials, price it “FAIR”, and watch it sell!!!
GORGEOUS!!!
My first car was a 1988 IROC Z with a L98. The instant throttle response really spoiled me going forward.
It’s a real shame that no one got to enjoy this car for the last 35 years.
Unfortunately this has an automatic transmission which did give it the 350 rather than the 305, but other than as an autocross car (due to the torque) it isn’t what most folks would want. My first racecare was an 89 1LE bought in 97 that had at that time been an SSGT SCCA race car since it was born. I used it to get my competition license than built a 93 1LE for my race series. I also had a 94 1LE which also didn’t have air and was black! Took that car back East to SCCA Nationals in 96 and damned near died from the heat. I also had a 98 1LE that ended up having a cage and a 402 LS2 I used as a track car for quite a time.
Camaro has quite a history, a shame GM neglected the icon not once, but twice! I should have kept my 2018 1LE V6 manual, it was the perfect power to weight ratio, with superb handling. My 2022 LT1 is too heavy in the front end with the V8. The 1LE 6th generation was a marvel.
92 Cop Car, same specs, regret selling a few years ago, lot of hard miles but great maintenance, ran like a champ!
91 Players Pontiac race car, same specs, still sitting in my shop, probably should sell. First race car, was a great learning machine!!
The manual gearbox would increase the value….and the 1LE was common compared to the R7U which was the Players Race series option;R7U cars were only available to race teams;The B4C police cars were also not available to the public and I do not know of any zero/low mile units.