October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Thread Starter
COTM Editor (Retired)
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 83
From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Congratulations, Motown, on winning TGO's October, 2017 COTM, and congratulations on your brand new 1985 IROC-Z.
Great attention to detail and an excellent presentation have gotten your car the win - plain white wrapper & bone stock configuration and all. Its a super clean, beautiful car.
This is my 1985 IROC-Z. The car is only 4 options away from being fully loaded and is still wearing its original paint. I have owned the car for six years and have been picking away at some of the issues the car had ever since. Engine misfires, torn steering wheel leather, corroded wheels, worn suspension, just to name a few.
The past few years however, I really focused on making this car as "factory fresh" as possible by using NOS parts when I could. These parts include parking lamps, a correct p/n 10017700 washer fluid bottle, gauges, turn signal stalk, floor mats and muffler. I had my wheels professionally CNC machined and powder coated by a local wheel restorer, and added NOS center caps and NOS lug nuts for an added touch.
I am not gonna lie, this car has given me plenty of grief over the years. Many times I was ready to push it off of the proverbial cliff. But it has definitely payed off in the end. It rides and drives like a new IROC-Z should. No squeaks or rattles, inside or out.
I rarely take the car to shows because it is frustrating watching spectators and other owners judge a car based on its odometer reading alone. I find it more satisfying knowing that I essentially did a mild restoration on my own and the car looks just as good (at first glance) as the guy who has a larger check book who simply went out and bought a 20k mile thirdgen.
I recently documented the journey in depth in the history/originality forum. Please check it out to see what the car looked like when I bought it.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...1985-iroc.html (The Story Of My 1985 IROC-Z. Back To Factory Fresh.)
The past few years however, I really focused on making this car as "factory fresh" as possible by using NOS parts when I could. These parts include parking lamps, a correct p/n 10017700 washer fluid bottle, gauges, turn signal stalk, floor mats and muffler. I had my wheels professionally CNC machined and powder coated by a local wheel restorer, and added NOS center caps and NOS lug nuts for an added touch.
I am not gonna lie, this car has given me plenty of grief over the years. Many times I was ready to push it off of the proverbial cliff. But it has definitely payed off in the end. It rides and drives like a new IROC-Z should. No squeaks or rattles, inside or out.
I rarely take the car to shows because it is frustrating watching spectators and other owners judge a car based on its odometer reading alone. I find it more satisfying knowing that I essentially did a mild restoration on my own and the car looks just as good (at first glance) as the guy who has a larger check book who simply went out and bought a 20k mile thirdgen.
I recently documented the journey in depth in the history/originality forum. Please check it out to see what the car looked like when I bought it.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...1985-iroc.html (The Story Of My 1985 IROC-Z. Back To Factory Fresh.)
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 84
From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Another All Stock Beauty, Well Deserved. Congratulations
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,219
Likes: 1,141
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Well done, nice car too!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 613
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: LB9
Transmission: MD8
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Thank you all for the votes!! I am very surprised that I won the COTM, any of the other cars definitely deserved the win, especially the LS swapped Trans Am with the custom ram air setup. A work of art.
Thanks again, now to go update my signature!
Thanks again, now to go update my signature!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 84
From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Surprised!!!I think the majority of 3rd genners LOVE the all stock, originals.Congrats Again.
Congrats Again. 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,809
Likes: 906
From: MICHIGAN
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Congratulations on the win! It's a beautiful car, and you've done a great job with it.
On Probation
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Holly Spring NC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z Camaro
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
To ur point about car shows...most real and true car guys don't necessarily go to win imo...I think it's more about the experience of driving ur car to the show...knowing it's reliable enough to make it there and not having to haul it on a trailer...and talking and socializing with other ppl about there cars.
Congratulations...its always a pleasure seeing older cars especially on the inside that look brand new. This is basically the penicale of the third gen tech boards and u should be very proud of u and her...
Congratulations...its always a pleasure seeing older cars especially on the inside that look brand new. This is basically the penicale of the third gen tech boards and u should be very proud of u and her...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 613
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: LB9
Transmission: MD8
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
To ur point about car shows...most real and true car guys don't necessarily go to win imo...I think it's more about the experience of driving ur car to the show...knowing it's reliable enough to make it there and not having to haul it on a trailer...and talking and socializing with other ppl about there cars.
Congratulations...its always a pleasure seeing older cars especially on the inside that look brand new. This is basically the penicale of the third gen tech boards and u should be very proud of u and her...
Congratulations...its always a pleasure seeing older cars especially on the inside that look brand new. This is basically the penicale of the third gen tech boards and u should be very proud of u and her...
On Probation
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Holly Spring NC
Car: 1987 IROC-Z Camaro
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Ur interior is leaps and bounds better than mine...mines nice...but the logos on the power window and rear hatch are rubbed off...hazards writing rubbed off...cruise rubbed off lol...center glove box edges show wear and nice big tear on left side of driver seat...honestly...I was unaware that there was like a nomination section...them a 3 way battle with more detailed interior pics lol...plus I was in Europe with not much cell phone service basically from the time the last competition started to the end ha. Iv got along way to go to get up to the same "appearance" level of some of these guys...wish I just had more disposable income really...
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 732
Likes: 18
From: MA
Car: 92 & 91 Z28 1LEs, 87 IROC-Z, 90 ZR1
Engine: L98, LT5
Transmission: 700R4, 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.42, 3.73, 3.27
Re: October 2017 COTM **Winner**
Congrats!! So excited that you won, beautiful car and nice work on bringing it back to factory specs 
Love it and wish more people would do the same with that level of original detail in their restorations!
Love it and wish more people would do the same with that level of original detail in their restorations! 
