A big congratulations to TkernIROC1986 for pulling off the narrow win against some amazing competition this month!!!


You guys dug for some of the most accurate, preservations, and restorations out there, and came up with solid gold in each nomination! So an even bigger hats off to TkernIROC1986 for taking a restoration project and pulling past what I'm sure are some of the best kept third gens in the country!!!!!


Here is the run down on TkernIROC1986's car:

1986 IROC-Z
- 53K original miles.
- Barn find in Maryland.
- Repainted cobalt blue metallic and painted headlight buckets and front grille matte black.
- New stripes, decals, emblems, center caps.
- Completely original 700R4. O
- Original exhaust system from the factory that was installed when the car was new.
- It has a 3:23 posi rear.
- T-top center console on the roof w/flashlight that still works.
- Auto adjust rear view mirror
- Drivers power seat.
- Power locks.
- Power windows.
- Split fold rear seat.

This is what TkernIROC1986 had to say about his car when providing the information:

Heres the story of my journey.
When the car was pulled from the barn, the original 305 was seized. I decided to remove it instead of rebuild it and make my own version of the rare 86 350 TPI cars. I used an L98 350 from a 90 Corvette, and made it so that it looked like the car was completely original. My plan was to make the car look exactly like it came from the factory this way. The interior is completely stock. The headliner was gone, I replaced it with a new abs plastic backed with correct color fabric. Also replaced the sunvisors and sail panels to match. Replaced the rear plastics with correct carpeted plastics and even found a correct original equalizer radio. Also replaced the cracked dash pad, and rebuilt the rear hatch motor. I've spent a lot of time making this car mine. I know it's not perfect but she's all mine. We all know how many pf the third gens have been beaten to death, and I'm happy that I've had the pleasure of saving this one. I get a lot of compliments and have won a few awards for the car, but as we all know, it's hard to get respect as a third gen owner at car shows. This is my second IROC and by far one of the best I've had the pleasure of owning. I'd like to thank those of you that nominated me and those of you that voted for me! It's greatly appreciated! I hope you enjoy the pictures of the car.

 

Congrats!!!!
Thats how every IROC should look.
Gorgeous car!

 

+1

Beautiful car, congrats!

 

Stock IROC-Z's are a beautiful sight. Hell, stock third gens. Congrats.

 

Congratulations! I love that color!

 

Thanks everyone! I've put a lot of hard work into this car! Glad you all like it! I absolutely love this color!

 

Congrats Man! This was a tough month. I looked at all the pics and read the posts several time before i finally cast my vote.

"but as we all know, it's hard to get respect as a third gen owner at car shows."-tkernIROC1986

I know what you mean, when i take my 69 camaro to shows everybody walks all the way around, look inside, and sometimes ask questions. when i take my Purple Haze 92 RS most people just look as they walk on to the next car.

 

Congrats!

 

Glad to see you won! Is there going to be an October COTM???

 

Congrats man!

 

That is one good looking car. It would be thrilling to see more of these in good shape.

 

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.

 

Your welcome.

 

Congrats on your win!

People can say what they want but, it's your car and you built it the way you wanted too.

At the end of the day I'm glad to see that someone else saved one of these cars and it's not in the wrecking yard. It's out on the road and being enjoyed.

There is a lot of satisfaction in having a car that is exactly what you want - stock, modified, restored, etc.

 

Very true!


Congrats!

 

Fantastic IROC!

Love everything about it! Congrats

 

Thank you! I'm very proud of this car, and I've done a lot to make her great again! Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate it!

 

Here's the walk around video of my car for those who are interested.

 

Here's the walk around video of my car for those who are interested.

 

I'm not sure why that posted twice...

 

That car is truly stunning. I can't get enough of that cobalt blue! How often do you drive it?

 

Well lets see...I've owned it for 2 years and only put 3,700 miles on it. So not too much. I only drive it on nice days and to local shows.

 

What kind of paint did you use on your car? It looks really smooth. I want to get my car re-painted at some point in the future so it can look factory fresh too.

 

Great car and happy to see it saved and properly restored. As far as the engine, I see no issue with that; the original 305 was seized and the replacement was a period correct example of something available in thirdgens. This is no different than somebody restoring a 69 Camaro and replacing a dead 350 with a 396 from the same era.

 

Not sure what kind of paint it is. It was painted by a professional shop.

 

Exactly! I wanted to make it look like the car was built at the factory this way. I think it came together pretty well!

 

Nice looking car, glad you kept the original look!

 

Thanks! I love the original looking cars.

 

Ah I see. It looks great. It's nice to see a repainted car that's the same style as the factory.

 

I agree...stock is my favorite!

 

We are gonna try this again...

This car deserves the recognition for winning the COTM without the dispute or lessons on anything but. Keep it clean guys and enjoy the pics. I think TK has some more to add to the page.

 

Thanks Brandon. I had some more pics to post up yesterday, but my computer wasn't cooperating. I'll post them as soon as I can, for the time being, lets move on to nothing but happy times and positive vibes....

 

.

 

The car is beautiful!

You have done tasteful and practical upgrades with fantastic attention to detail!

Not to mention the color. Love that blue.

Congrats on your win!

 

Thank you. The color is probably my favorite part. The pictures really dont do it justice. You have to see it in person. There is so much metal flake it, it really sparkles in the sun. I get a lot of positive comments on how clean and original it looks, and that was my intent. I have been trying to post more pictures this evening, but just as I was ready to post it, my computer decided to reboot itself. So...I will try again...more pictures on the way!

 

OK, here they are, more pics, for the third attempt. I was just about ready to submit it, and my computer decided to reboot itself, so...here we go...

New dash pad, as you can see, the original one had seen better days.

The headliner had rotted away and was missing when I bought the car.

New ABS headliner, sunvisors, and sail panels from Hawks.

New headliner installed. I think it turned out very well.

Rebuilding the rear hatch motor.

Removed the very faded rear plastics.

I was surprised to see how clean the trunk well was. Barely any rust.

New correct carpeted rear plastics installed.

Fixing a coolant leak...not fun...

Clean 350 TPI. I got a new coolant reservoir tank after I fixed the leak.

Getting an inside and outside detail before a show.

All clean and ready to go!

 

Heres a few more...












These pictures below are from this years GM Nationals in Carlisle, PA.







All of the cars in this picture are members of my local club. The Central Pennsylvania Camaro and Firebird Enthusiasts. I think this picture is really cool because it includes one car from each generation. The 1969 Z/28 RS beside my car is my dads car. He is the reason for my Camaro obsession. When I was 7 years old we were driving around, and there was this blue IROC-Z for sale, so we stopped and looked at it. Ever since that day I have been obsessed with them. My first IROC was a red 86, but I had to sell it right before my wife and I got married. I loved that car, but I knew I would have another one one day. I searched for almost a year and half, traveling to all the surrounding states till I found this car. Finally I found a clean car to work with and make my own, the rest is history.....Thank you again to those of you that nominated me, and those of you that voted for me. It is an honor to even have been nominated, and an even greater honor to have won. Thank you all!

 

Kinda shocked there haven't been more replies since I posted more pics.

 

We have quite similar usernames, thought you were me for a second lol

 

That pic of yours and your dads z/28 is by far my favorite, love it!

 

Thanks man! One day I hope to own that one as well! It's a great car!

 

That blue third gen beside yours is a lighter shade. Was that the factory blue color that came on them?

 

Yes, that is the factory color blue beside mine. That is an 87 IROC 305 TPI 5-speed. He's in my Camaro and Firebird Club as well.

 

Congratulations! You have one nice car!!

 

Thank you, I appreciate it! I'm very proud of this car!

 

Travis your car looks outstanding, nice attention to detail. Remember me, I sold you all the rear plastics. Congrat's dude...

 

Hey man! Thanks! Yeah I remember. The car has really come along in the past year. I couldn't be happier. Winning the cotm is a huge honor and I never expected to win. Hope all is well!

 

Congratulations on an amazing car, you have done a fantastic job.

 

Thank you! Many hours of hard work has really paid off. Couldn't be happier with this car. She will be getting a new windshield this week or next due to bubbling and age. The seals are also starting to crack so I figured it was time. Even though it doesn't get driven in anything but sunny weather, it needs to be done. Window sweeps and door panel repairs will be this winter.

 

I agree this iroc is an example of a car done the RIGHT way, every car resto should have this kind of quality!