Quote: Originally Posted by ThreeOhFive Here's a better deal... '86 Iroc-z Black/Red with 40K miles... $6,000!!! http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false I've had a few 86 LB9's. Never again. Also for some reason the high back base model buckets really look wrong in that car. I'd be double checking the RPO codes.

The IROC was my High School ERA, this car was an absolute success. The only way to get an american car to out handle the IROC was to have a C4 vette..
The design was on point, the power was not too far off of what we have today just look at the TQ numbers! With bolt ons and exhaust work we were running mid13s at sea level and had very good fuel mileage when cruising.
IROC is a name well known and will never be forgotten!

Yup.. The headliner looks nonstock

I have a friend, and i asked her if she knew what an iroc was, and she said "thats a kind of camaro isn't it?" This girl doesn't even know what kind of car her mom drives and she knows what an iroc is, but the real kicker is that after i asked her what an iroc was, i asked her what a z28 was. She had no idea.

if we remember something important, an IROC-Z28 is a Z28. The Z28 is a legend, no if ands or buts.

To me I dont think they are legends. They could one day become what is considered legendary but that will take some time. My reasoning goes back to the what the term legendary actually means as defined in an earlier post quoted above. To me right now the cars are not legendary because many of us have grown up with them and know what there all about there not particularly rare yet. Course youll probably notice that once upon a time 60's ss camaros and hemi cuda's weren't considered legends either. So what difference does time make? These cars will only become legendary to the next generation at best because by then many of these cars will be long gone and your average kid wont be able to find them for sale or know someone who even has one. All thell really know about them is the glorified stories of our experiences with them and thats how they become legends. We tell stories about them that are considered historical but because our experiences for the most part are not verifiable they will become the stuff of legends. For example the Hemi Cuda most people havnt ever driven one but when you bring up the hemi cuda immediately people think of a legendary 1/4 monster machine. The IROC too could be one of thoes names you just say and is related too all the storys your told about how great they were. The thing about legends are that the stories dont have to be true just believed in. Many of the muscle cars people though of as fast were 13-14 second cars back when they were new which is good but isnt particularly impressive. Granted they had much more potential with modern tires and such but the point is you hear the stories of there greatness and people hold them in larger than life standards because they know only what they hear. In the case of the IROC if stories are passed down about there unbeatable performance ect true or not they will become desirable street legends of yesterday. So their future legendary status depends more on the people who loved them (and their abilities at telling stories) then the cars themselves.

Legend, icon, historic masterpiece, sure whatever. The real question is do you think these cars will be remembered amongst some of the greatest? Not what adjective you use to describe it. I think it will most definitely be remembered, because of the reaction from real car enthusiasts and the casual observers alike. I have old friends from elementary school that saw my mom drop me off at school in my father's IROC asking me if it's still in the family. Things people remember about these legendary (or whatever you wanna label them) cars is the the distinctive sounds and the feeling of being pinned to the seat during acceleration, not to mention a sexy body. People remember the model because this was all out of the factory, not a car that needed aftermarket parts help to perform, sound, and look impressive.

The IROC decals set it apart from the other models because they were the fully loaded deal and were commemorative to the actual International Race of Champions at the time. We here are particular enthusiasts of the 3rd generation F-Body indeed but there is no doubt that these cars leave an impression and those that are car fanatics in general do take notice.

It was the car i always wanted. Now i finally have one. Yes in my mind.

I had drinks with Scott Settlemire this evening and this thread was brought up. Scott mentioned to me that the IROC-Z is definately a legend. He told me the story again of the focus group and 85% of the people choosing the 1985 IROC-Z as the most representative of what a Camaro is. He also stated that any car can be an SS, but a Z28 can only be a Camaro. He then said that no matter who you talk to, if they know anything at all about cars, when the word IROC is mentioned, people think Camaro. Even the Mopar crowd think Camaro before they think Daytona. And what about Pontiac? They used the Firebird for years in the IROC races. The fact that you say that you drive an IROC and people think Camaro, makes the car a legend!!!

I've seen this with the 63-67 Corvettes, They've simply disappeared from car shows. You know they haven't been wrecked all that much in the last 15 years. So I can't think what other reason there would be that you don't see them anymore. Used to get 10-15 show up at shows. Now you're lucky to see 1. Meanwhile you see tons of 1955-57 Chevys. Old Chevelles etc.,

One thing I've noticed from car shows I've been in is that the most attention I get is from young kids (pre teen) and retired people. The people age 40-65 walk right by like I'd parked a Chevy Cavalier there. The kids, I can understand. They've probably never seen one of our cars up close before. I suppose the older people see it as a younger car that they never really paid attention to but at the same time see how the torch has been passed on to us who've kept the muscle car going. But the baby boomers tend to stick to their "classic" car show cars. The 1st gens, the hot rods, the shoeboxs. I've always hated the idea of "pre-72 only" car shows. I'm tired of seeing those cars.

Getting back to the question of legend. I'd say yes, but I'm not sure if legend is the right word. I see C5 and C6 Corvettes every day. But I'm the only GTA driver on the street. I get a lot of stares from fellow drivers at stop lights. Thumbs up, waves etc. Generally people in their 20's. So I'd say the demand for these cars is coming up at sometime in the future. But having said that, I still don't think we'll ever be 1st gen legendary.

I have a long post to make, so please guys bear with me.

I grew up in the 80's & 90's & I remember seeing those Camaro's with the strange IROC word on the side. Even in the last few years I would see a strange box like car with the word IROC on the side but I didn't give it much thought. Early last year when I was seeking out for a cool car I gave thought to cars like the Grand AM GT, Trans-Am, V6 Mustangs & Camaro's, a Camaro Z28 LS1 or LT1 & a few others. As fate might have found me (as far as cars go) I ended up finding this one gem on Craigslist that I really thought was cool. It was a 1988 IROC-Z Camaro 350 TPI. At THAT particular time I didn't know squat about it other than it was a Camaro & also that I would be better off with a 350 vs. the 305. My other car I own is a Jeep & I knew more of that than I did a F-Body. So I saw the car in the ad, told my girlfriend this is what I want to look at & we test drove it the next day! The day after it was mine! I was impressed with it from the get go and body, underbody, (have since inspected the whole car) and other important parts were/still are very clean & in order. Last summer I got hit in my driveway by a Hummer, so my passenger side fender & mirror has to be replaced. My door got messed up near the mirror but it's original & I'm keeping it. But I am still ticked off about that.

Anywho, this 1st post to this thread is just me talking about how I found myself with an iconic IROC-Z. Maybe you could throw a little bit of legendary to it since it is one true muscle car that was the car to have back in the 80's.

My 2nd post to this thread is about a few other thoughts I have on this thread.

I have learned too much info on these cars over the last year to put on any one page (both sides). I even had to start my own website because I love the car so much & I like to show the progress I'm making on my ride. At local car meets last year many guys there had Mustang's, Camaro's (mostly LS1 & LT1), some pimped out V6's & a multitude of other cars. You don't see many 3rd Gen's though & the few that are there are usually non-IROC. When I've talked to many people over the last year everyone talks greatly of the IROC-Z & some have wished they never sold their ride years ago. I've had people walk up to me out of the blue & say, dang your car looks great! Even with the dented fender & mirror jacked up, LOL (my damage is minimal, thankfully).

However there are many who have learned alot of misinformation on the IROC-Z too. Some think there were IROC Camaro's in the mid 90's & they would argue with me on it too. There are others who think that there were 350's in the pre-1987 IROC's (except for the few non-released 350's in 1986). Others (usually punk teenagers or young guys in their upper teens) think that the IROC is a slow piece of junk & some say that their mom's minivan or sedan would eat it up. But nonetheless I've talked to lot's of people who don't know what the IROC Camaro really is and that is many things.

Sorry guys, this thread is awesome & I read everyone's post on it so far before I posted my thoughts.

Continuing I'd also like to add that there are folks who think they have a 1991 IROC-Z (never made) and they'll argue with me about it. Either they knowingly lie on their car ads or they really are ignorant of the fact that it's no IROC-Z. I had one guy email me (when I put my car up for sale briefly last summer after losing my contract job) and tell me my car is NOT stock, lol, because I have my original t-tops & I had noted that in my car ad. He said the 1988 IROC-Z 350 didn't come with t-tops & that I shouldn't claim it's original. I told him to f-off after I explained to him that there were 88 Z's with t-tops & that my RPO code proves it too.

The IROC-Z Camaro may be looked down by many people who are ignorant of the car or just plainly don't like American cars in general. What the car is may mean something different for each person who has one or has had one but in my personal opinion (after having it almost a year this month on the 28th) I have to say that it's a true American muscle car icon. It's a bad a@@ car & to have one in good condition with an original t-top set-up & a dashboard in one piece is truly a gem to have. Granted I've had to replace many old parts & I've upgraded alot of stuff, I'm not changing my exterior or interior parts (except the CD player). Even though I was a kid in the 80's and didn't know too much of anything, I know enough now that when I see a Foxbody Mustang that I want to feel those good times that were felt back in the 80's when these 2 cars battled daily on the streets. Nowadays I'm having to deal with smart a@@ v6 sedans, cross-overs, suv's, trucks & of course the v8 machines and it's not always easy to sit back & not hit the gas pedal.

The IROC-Z Camaro is a gem in good condition & I foresee it's value spiking up more & more. This car is something that many guys will want to buy when their kids are done with college or high school & I look forward to meeting new guys with a 3rd Gen.

The IROC is definitely a legend. Everyone around this area knows what that is and a bunch of girls know too. My mom even knew what an IROC was before I got my thirdgen. IROC-Z28 is an awesome name.

I think you are spot on, I remember looking in the Classified ads when I was 12 or 13 and seeing a Yenko Camaro for $20k, (18ish years after they were made) Now, a mint one maybe $100-200k. Now I don't think the IROC will ever get to that level of rarity, but to the right generation they can be considered legendary. I recently overheard some kid at a carshow call an NSX legendary, because he "heard" how fast they were, but never drove one.

I would say The Iroc-z is a legend. I have been to tons of shows and tracks and they always get attension. Remember in the 70's-80's people were parting and junking 1st gens like they were going out of style. Hell I can tell you for sure my own father hauled at least 2 SS BB first gens and a RS to the junker(auto shop)That we have pics of on the tow truck. Just like these cars nowdays. Soon they will be back as those kids of the 80's reach that mark and we can tell those stories. AYY remember back in 2010 when I got those Iroc wheels from that guy who had parted like 15 out. Man what a idiot he was imagine if they were all here and running now ...

I have owned several Camaros including a 69 SS Pace car drop top and a 92 25th Anniversary....but until this weekend I had never owned an IROC Z...let me just say if I combine all of my years of owning Camaros I have received in three days more comments, looks, stares, offers to buy, statements of how lucky I am, etc over this IROC Z than any car I have ever had...for me that makes it legendary and since I am the owner I am the only one that needs to think it is legendary...I can't change any ones opinion and from the looks of the last three days I don't think I need to-they agree...


I don't even know how it's a debate..they are both Iconic AND legendary

In my opinion, IROC is legendary, it's what made me want a camaro. I've had alot of camaros, nearly all in better shape than my 88 iroc, none of them cars evoked even close to the same feelings this car does. Everyone turns to see the car, & I rarely here it referred to as a camaro. It's usually, "nice iroc" and my car has no decals. I realize the regular z28 isn't much different, but it is different & it's not an iroc. I have an 02 ss, a 94 z28 & the iroc. Those cars certainly don't compare. If it's not a legend I don't know what Is

They're what made me want one too, when I was a kid and you actually saw 3rd gens on the road semi frequently, I always thought they looked badass...wanted one since before I could drive :P

Mines an RS clearly marked on the rockers amd bumpers and everybody still calls it an iroc(that know what irocs were but dont know enough to know the difference), if most 82-92 camaros get called iroc it must be a legend, obviously it left an impact on the car scene in a good way

IROC-Z is just the coolest name given to a camaro. the car may not be seen as legendary by everyone but the name is and people do also call rs's irocs they see a thirdgen and thats the first thing that goes to their head. its like even if they knew it wasnt an iroc theyll still call it that just cause it sounds so cool. "look its an IROC"!

This is also an Iroc, but I'm glad they're mostly forgotten!