Raato

This is a semi long and semi twisted post so please bear with me. If I am skipping around its because I am not a wordsmith by any stretch of the imagination.

I purchased what I thought was an 88 Iroc 2 years ago. I have been doing research and believe the car was just a plain Camaro. Now the tricky part. I purchased this car from my Mother 6 months before she passed away so there would not be any argument about who got the car when she died. My Mom bought this car brand new in 88. I have the original window sticker and contract for the car. Both state the car is an Iroc but the vin comes up as a regular Camaro and I kind of think it may be just a plain Jane camaro with a dealer installed Iroc Package(rims, stickers, hood). I believe this to be true for one simple reason the badge on the dash simple says Camaro not Iroc. Every other badge on the car says Iroc and I know my Mom didnt change them. I was talking to my Dad earlier today and brought this up and he argued with me stating that car is an Iroc.

This is a true survivor (except paint) and in excellent shape it had 70k miles on it as of 04 my Dad had to drive it for a year but it was a 2.5 hour Interstate comute each way(easy miles). So I purchased the car with 99k miles and drove it back to my home in Florida from Virginia. They used to show the car and won many trophies for original (unmodified) condition. She even installed Hot Pink Neons for when she showed the car. There is not a door ding or ripple in any of the body panels. I had the car painted shortly after I purchased it and my Mom loved the color(photo included)

Well I am finally in a position to restore the car back to original condition. I have all the original stickers under the hatch and in the console which have all the RPO codes. Can I decipher exactly what I have from the RPO codes? Obviously I am new at restoring cars, but my real question is how should this car be restored? All it really needs is a drivers door rest, dash pad, and leather drivers seat. The rest of the interior is immaculate and shows no signs of wear. I have every receipt for everything that was ever done to the car including oil change reciepts and a maintenance log from day 1. Everything works on the car it even still has R-12 freon and is ice cold.

Is there anyone who can help determine for sure if this is a Camaro or an Iroc and if it really matters for the few things I need to replace. This car has been garaged its whole life and has zero rust. I really want it to be a tribute to my Mom and she knew I was the only one who would really take care of it besides my Dad. Once I get it back to original condition I want to show it on the weekends occasionally.

In case it matters this car is a 305 TPI. I realize Opinions are like buttholes and everyone has one, but if this was YOUR car how would you handle/approach this situation? I know I kind of rambled and went in a few different directions so if you made it this far Kudos to you. Any help and advice is appreciated.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

First of all welcome to the forum, second of all a search can be your best friend here, third of all there are many RPO decoders on the net, run those and they will tell you for sure? Those codes will verify if it is infact an Iroc or a plain jainer.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Go to https://www.thirdgen.org/rpodecoder and use the application to read the RPO codes that Iron Duke mentioned. It should help you determine exactly what your car is.

Raato

Yes the RPO sticker is in the console on the wall. Sorry if I missed something I am kind of frustrated and new to this. I have been reading for the last week and half( all over the net) and I have some urgency since my Father has taken ill. I really want to finish it and go see him before he passes on. I got my love of cars from him.

Raato

so the Vin isnt the best way to do it? I am not arguing I am just asking since I really dont know.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Um, gimme a second to search... I used to know where a VIN decoder was. I honestly don't remember if the VIN denotes it as an IROC or not, but I'm looking for where I saw the VIN decoder and I should know in a bit...

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

IIRC the vin denotes the year, plant, engine, etc. Only the RPO's will tell if it is an Iroc.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

Negative, PM me the vin and I can run an auto check report if you wish? It's like carfax.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

If i am correct (and someone please tell me if I am wrong) the 5th VIN character needs to be a "P" and then you need to have the RPO code b4z to denote that it is an IROC.

Raato

I walked out and copied down all the RPO's I am about to input them into the decoder.

Raato

5th vin is a P no RPO of B4z but a RPO of Z28

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Cool. I"m like 99% sure that the b4z code would tell you that it was an IROC. Let us know what you find out!

Raato

OK the Z28 code does designate the car as a Z-28 but NONE of the codes denote it as an IROC. I was under the impression all Z-28's in 88 were IROCS. If I could copy and paste the info from the decoder I would

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

B4Z was not a factor after 87.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

I think your right

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Lol, this is why i didn't say I was 100% sure about b4z being a factor here. I get mixed up with all of these codes!

And yes, your right, it does appear that the Z28 option for 88 meant it was a "IROC-Z28" from the factory. So this is a real IROC-Z and not just a dressed up Camaro.

If your looking to make it perfectly original, use all the RPO codes to figure out how it was equipped and make sure it stays that way. Sounds like you've got a great car with a close family history.

Raato

Wow thats great to hear. I really had set myself up to believe the car was a clone. For the restoration buffs how should I handle the dash simply saying camaro when in fact its an IROC. Should I leave it since it is original?

Thanks for taking the time and giving a little guidance Campin and Iron Duke

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

No problem! I had one heck of a problem tracking down exactly what my car was (even though its nothing special). GM did a lot of screwy things with their packages. As it is I gave you wrong info once or twice before we all sorta figured it out together, lol.

My opinion would be to leave it how it came from the factory, but that's purely opinion there. I'd personally try to replace as little as possible and leave it with as much intact from the factory as you can keep with it still looking good. That's purely opinion though, and if its incorrect someone may very well have a compelling argument to replace it...

Raato

Any restoration buffs have an opinion on how I should proceed with the dash? Part of me wants to leave it original even though its not the correct dash, but part of me wants to upgrade the badge to an IROC. Does it really matter? I am doing everything I can to keep it original, but will this detract from the value of the car if I dont change it?

Campin thanks for your opinion.

scottmoyer

Ok, let's clear up a few things.

In 1988, you could only get the TPI engine in an IROC-Z, so that is one sure fire way to know what you have. Secondly, the B4Z option code was available only from 85-87. All Z28s were IROC-Zs in 88-90. You will not find the B4Z option code on any 88-90 Camaro. Third, the dash badge was stolen at the dealership before your mother took posession. The dealer replaced it with what they had. I would get the correct badge for the car! It might have come that way, but only from the dealer, not the factory. Lastly, the RPO codes will decipher exactly what you have. Each code denotes an option or in some cases, the lack of an option. The RPO code DX3 denotes "Stripe Delete" on 88-90 cars, so not all codes represent options, but can represent the lack of an option also.

Welcome to the boards and I wish you luck in restoring you mom's car.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

run you vin through edmunds. it will tell you if you have a z or an iroc z.

scottmoyer

Not necessary. Edmunds is wrong all the time. It has already been determined that the car is an official IROC-Z. Again, the only car to get the TPI in 88 was the IROC-Z. Your statement is incorrect anyway since all Zs were IROC-Zs in 1988, so Edmunds will not be able to determine a difference.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Oooooooh that's right! I forgot that z thing. I looked my vin up and it told me I had an iroc, so I thought I would pass on the info. Please no more red ink on my paper.

Raato

Big thanks to JohninRI for helping with a few parts.

Thanks to everyone who has chimed in with an opinion as well.

okfoz

Here is where I disagree with Scott...

Although the car SHOULD have had the IROC-Z dash plaque and it has a camaro Dash plaque you may consider that it did indeed come from the factory that way. We so often forget that the cars are made by people, and people make mistakes. I know there were Camaros with Firebird interiors from the factory and Vise-Verse, so never say never. It is unlikely, but anything is possible.

I know for a fact that some things happen on the assembly line that "never" happen. If they run low on a screw they may send someone to a local hardware store to get screws that may not be exactly correct but will work. I know of this living in a GM town, and some things will not shut down the line. I remember looking at a BRAND NEW S-15 Truck, as I walked around it, I remember laughing as I noticed that the Front of the truck was all GMC, as was one side, the Other side was all Chevrolet Badges and it had the Chevy tailgate emblems. It still had the window sticker in the window. I had a friend with an 80's Duster and the interior said Turismo...

I would leave it, if anyone ever argued, it has been in the family its entire existance, and you bought it new like that...

John

gatorcola

I can confirm badging errors on 88 IROCS - bought mine new with 5.7 TPI decal on driver runner and TPI on passenger.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Mmmm that's funny GM making errors?

Tpx

GM never makes errors!

okfoz

Should we Ban Government Motors? They are just making our lives difficult.

John

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Yes we should ban Government Motors. A government should be afraid of it's people; not the people afraid of it's government! And we are wayyyyy past that point.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

What okfoz said about GM getting the badges wrong is what I was thinking when I first recommended they stay the way they are. My car has some factory errors too, but I wasn't sure if they'd go as far as messing up the badges, so i didn't want to argue. The examples you guys have are pretty crazy! I guess this is a good example overall of the quality control issues that have plagued the auto industry at times.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Maybe the errors might make the car worth more. Just like misprinted coins and bills.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

That's actually a good question. Errors on misprinted coins and bills make them skyrocket in value. On the other hand, the factory forgetting to paint the inside of my car I'm sure didn't help its value.

But with badges and things that don't actually hurt the car, like it did mine... wonder what it does?

okfoz

Do you know if the car was made on a Friday or Monday, possibly before a Holiday or just after a holiday.

Employees end up getting sloppy and there used to be a local saying, "never buy a car that was made on a Monday or Friday." Not sure how you know without looking at the invoice. But it may explain some things...

John

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

yeah I've heard of this. That's why the Japanese companies pounced on the American consumers back in the 70's..

Raato

yeah I was always told as a kid that I should buy a Wednesday car or that is a Wednesday car etc.

Since this threade seems to have a few legs let me ask a simple question here. If I want to change out the dash badge, did GM make a gray Z28 IROC for the dash? all the other badges on the car are grey and obviously the interior is gray as well and I think it may look better instead of the red/orange I see everywhere.

If they do have Grey dash badges anyone know where I can pick one up in M NM condition?

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

My dash badge is orange on my iroc, but the color of the interior and graphics is saddle tan. It may not be as apealing, but it is correct.

scottmoyer

A misprinted coin, or a major mistake by the manufacturer carries more weight than an incorrect badge. Do we know that the mistake is factory or dealer? No. Since the badge is such an easy swap, I say fix it. My reasons are that since it's so easy to swap, you can remove any and all doubt about it. If you buy a GMC truck with a Chevy grill, that's a major mixup. A dash emblem was probably stolen by some kid while the car was on the dealer's lot. They are easy to remove and replace.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

I guess I never thought of that. Aren't car dealers usually honest???

okfoz

The thing about cars is they are made up by 2000+ parts that fly down the street in formation. ( I liked the line so I used it ). It is too easy to change one part or another to make the car unique. Even if the car came that way from the factory... A coin is a single unit, they are supposed to look all the same, when they stamp millions of them an error is an oddity, so people like odd things. When a car has the wrong part there is technically an argument that it was possibly changed. If a car has a bad part, no one wants the part. Unfortunately & interestingly what accounts for something rare and desirable with a coin is exactly the thing people avoid with a car.

It is like the guy that comes to the Trans Am nationals every year and he has a 1987 GTA that is missing one of the sail panel birds. He never put it on, he has one from the dealership, vintage... To me it should be added because it "Should be there"; but it is his car. The interesting thing is it is a pretty nice car, and he seems to win the class every other year. I know there are usually some other cars that are as nice if not nicer, and I wonder if the judges get all wrapped up with the emblem and overlook some other things on the car that should be docked... I dunno, just a thought.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, a coin has only one part. The emblem screw up could have been done by any number of people, and cannot be "authenticated". Therefore, I conclude the car should have the correct emblems regardless of factory error. My iroc has an orange dash badge, and the car came in saddle tan. I never gave in any thought, but could that have happened to my car??

okfoz

Yes, it could have happened on any car.

Just noticed Where in MI are you, I am in Flint...

John

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

I am in the Holland area. How far is Flint from here??

okfoz

2 hours or so, one way. I am 2 hours from Grand Rapids, 1 hour from Lansing

John

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Well, that's not too darn far away..

daferris

iTrader: (8)

I have a 45K mile '88 IROC that is all original except for the flexplate, Intake gaskets,battery, power mirror switch (all done under warrentee) and have replaced exhaust with a cat back one. Even still have the original tires...(bought a set from SLP in '92 of the black GTA one that I have on it now...)
If you need photos send me your email and what you need a shot of.

The car in the avitar is my son's '92 Z-28 we did a "frame off" this past winter