Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I'm following a lead to a supposidly original 86 IROC with a 350. One of 50 as you know. A kid in ohio said that he saw it at a dealership and the under-hood tags and the VIN match up. He's supposed to go back and get me the VIN. I should have him check the engine block numbers too. Anyway, he said that the car is pretty trashed. My question is this: Is this car worth my time and money to restore? I want to do an original restoration on a thirdgen, and I'd obviously prefer it to be on a rare, desirable model. So much mystery and folklore surrounds these 50 cars that it seems like it would be an excellent choice. BUT, is this car really going to be that desirable for me to **** my money into or is it just another throw-away rarity like my 85 IROC with the console clock? Sure it's rare, but who cares! My point is, I can go down south and get a much better car for the same money, but the idea of having one of those original 50 intrigues me. What's your take?

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The only Camaro I can think of that isn't going down in value and has a market right now are the convertibles...

No one but a camaro geek or a magazine editor is really going to value an Iroc.
For the most part, thirdgens are worthless as an investment. The exceptions being TTA's, Firehawks, and Convertibles...

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Drew
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3 @ 98mph
91 RS Convertible
92 S10
ICON Motorsports

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Obviously virtually all 3rdgens are worthless right now, but it won't always be that way. 1st gens were worthless once too. After 15-20 years, there is always an upswing as the bulk of the cars wind up in the bone yard, and the remaining few begin to look better and better. I have no doubts that thirdgens will have a valuable place in classic car-land someday, and like anybody, I want the nicest and the most sought after model. I'm just wondering if I should jump all over this car or let it pass. I doubt that I'll ever have another chance at one of the original 50, of which less than half are probably still alive.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

Willie

iTrader: (1)

Jim,

First, some information from "Camaro, The Third Generation" by Michael Lamm. "Under the original plan, this engine, dubbed L98, would become available in early March of 1986... A CPC memo dated 13 January 1986 spelled out the preliminary highlights: The L98 would use cast-iron cylinder heads, deliver 220 bhp and 320 lb/ft of torque in the IROC-Z, be restricted to F-cars without t-tops, without air conditioning, but with the 700R4 transmission and 3.27:1 rear axle. According to Russ Gee, approximately 50 running L98 Camaro prototypes were built during model year 1986, but this engine didn't make actual production until the 1987 run went on sale in Oct. 1986."

Now, my opinion. First, notice how the axle ratio is 3.27, not 3.23. Yep, this is the first Camaro to come equipped with the 9-bolt Borg Warner rear axle assembly. Be that as it may, notice in the quote that it states, "approximately 50 running Camaro PROTOTYPES were built". That means this is NOT a regular production Camaro. Do you know anyone who owns a prototype Camaro? Me neither. That means if you can get a hold of it, DO IT!!! It's got to be worth money.. Jim, if you don't want it, I'll buy it!!

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
12.57 @ 111 mph.
12.04 @ 114 mph (50-hp nitrous).
http://www.ozemail.com/au/jca69/mods/williesz/willie.html

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited September 13, 2000).]

Jason E

Willie,

Whats the ISBN on that book???? I NEED that book!! I always wanted to find a book dedicated solely to the 3rd gen to add to my collection!

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic/700R4, T-tops
Hypertech chip, 2 K&N filters/Modded air box
Eclipse CD, Eclipse 100x4 amp, Polk 4x6 fronts, Boston RX 6x9 rears
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights

Willie

iTrader: (1)

Jason,

The ISBN is 0-89586-460-6. You might want to pick up the following too:

"Camaro; Style, Speed and Spirit" by James M. Flammang (ISBN 1-56173-538-8). This book is another great reference on all Camaros with tons of color photos (although I did find a couple of errors).

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited September 13, 2000).]

Jza

Maybe you would like my 86 IROC convertable. I'm pondering selling it. It's #41 of 500.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Willie, the kid went back to the dealership last night to check it out for me and it was gone
Hopefully it will show up there tomorrow.

A kid on my IROC Homepage has an 86 and he posted his VIN. The engine code on his VIN is an 8, and the VIN is a vin from 86. Either he's pulling my leg, or he's got an original. I haven't had time to bring the VIN to the chevy dealership to have it run yet. Funny how I had 2 pop up at once. The kid on my page isn't interrested in selling his, but I REALLY want that one in ohio if it's original. The kid said it had t-tops, but since the 87 L98s were available with the t-tops that doesn't necessarily rule it out as far as I'm concerned. At this point I'll only find out if that car shows up at the dealership again

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

Willie

iTrader: (1)

Jim,

To the best of my knowledge, none of the fifty 1986 350 IROC-Z's came with t-tops or A/C. At the time they were built, GM had concerns over body flexing (therefore, no t-tops) and no A/C (a concern of overheating due to insufficient airflow). So if you see the car again, not only verify the VIN, but check the RPO codes.

I believe non-A/C Camaros do not have side vents in the dash, but never seen one in person to confirm (we all have A/C in Arizona!!).

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited September 14, 2000).]

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I gave the kid a laundry list of things to do if he sees the car again, and one was to check the rpo codes, and for the hell of it I asked him to check the numbers on the PROM. I would guess that the car would have a unique PROM, not a 305 PROM.

BTW, the dash on the non a/c cars has block-off plates on the side vents and 2 pull ***** under the steering column for the vents. I LOVE having the vents and I wish the a/c cars incorporated them too. I can take pics of my 86 if you're interrested in seeing them.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

Jason E

Willie,

Non A/C cars indeed have block-off plates for the side vents. My best friend just picked up an '86 Sport Coupe as a winter beater (yes, in Massachusetts, we need 2 cars ) and he has no A/C and the block-offs. It really looks odd!!

I can also confirm the '86 350s (which I am totally shocked exist) did not have A/C. I have road tests from Motor Trend and Automobile that state that the 1,000 '86 350s that were supposed to be built were not supposed to have A/C due to the overheating question.

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic/700R4, T-tops
Hypertech chip, 2 K&N filters/Modded air box
Eclipse CD, Eclipse 100x4 amp, Polk 4x6 fronts, Boston RX 6x9 rears
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights