Hey Guys and Gals,

My name is Tony Huntimer. I write for Camaro Performers magazine.

I'm also a previous owner of a 1985 California IROC.




I'm assembling all the information that I can find on the California IROCs to write an article about them.

When I called GM records back in the early 1990s (like about 1990), they could only tell me that 502 were made. Half were red and half were black.

For that phone call, I wrote down all the codes out of my glove box and my VIN. I recently found that piece of paper!

If you have any information or cool stories about California IROCs, please add to this thread or PM me.

Thanks!
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

 

Glad to see someone at that magazine taking an interest in 3rd gens. I have a subscription, but I'm not too fond of the editor and his dislike for the 3rd gen cars. Usually when he posts up comments on them, his information is incorrect, so I wish you luck on getting the information you need.

You might want to reach out to yo soy el warg, mr396 and Cali85 on the forums. They all own the 85 California IROC-Zs. Can you also confirm if you have the 1C5 and Z5V RPO codes on your car? If you get some time, do a search on the History forum for those RPO codes and you'll find posts from others that have the California IROC-Z. Hopefully we can help you gather the information you're looking for. Welcome to TGO.

 

Scott,

Thanks for your response! I can't speak for the Editor of the magazine, but I have talked to him at length about 3rd-gens and I know he doesn't have anything against them. I'm also not aware of the "comments" he posts about 3rd-gens that are incorrect either. It's always possible that some of those incorrect details are done by the other contributors, including me. ...But let's not digress about those details. Let's keep this thread about 1C5 California IROCs.

I've had two third-gens in the past (a 1C5 California IROC and a really sweet '92 Z28) and like them very much...so I try to include them in my column (Tony's Garage) as much as possible.

These are the codes I copied from my "Service Parts Identification" data sticker. I did in fact have the 1C5 and Z5V on the tag.

AR9 AU3 A01 A31 A90 BS1 B18 B26 B34 B35 B4Z B9K B94 B97 CC1
CD4 C49 C60 C95 D03 D34 D35 D6H D88 E5Z E7Z E9Z FE2 GC5 GC6 GU6
J65 K34 K90 LB9 MD8 MX0 NB2 NK3 N33 N65 N96 QDZ TR9 TT4 T63
T93 T96 UA1 UE8 UP8 UX1 U21 U25 U26 U29 U79 VAN VJ9 VK3 V73
YA7 YE2 YE5 YR2 YS2 YT1 YT9 Z5V Z28 1AY 1C5 19C 19I 199 6ZX
7ZX 75L 75V 8NL 86A 86P 9NL

WATER WA- L8537 U8537

When I called GM back in the day, the guy showed very little enthusiasm in our conversation until we got to the 1C5 code. Then he was intrigued. I gave him the rest of the codes. In a conversation that took place a few days later, only the 1C5 raised a flag. He never addressed the Z5V. He said that it took some digging, but he found that the 1C5 was a low-production of 502 units produced. Half were black and half were red. That was all he could identify. He didn't know of the term "California IROC" and didn't know that the cars had flat hoods and spoiler delete.

I wish I wrote down his name or asked him where he got that info or who he got it from. Maybe he called Van Nuys?

I've been in touch with Yo Soy El Warg.

Thanks for the other names. Hopefully they will find this thread too.

Take care,
Tony Huntimer

 

Welcome to TGO!!!

 

Hi Tony,
I, too, made a call to GM similar to the one that you made. Mine in mid 1985. When I first began seeing these cars at Orange County dealerships, I really liked them. Only thing was, I only saw red. I asked around (sales staff, etc.) if there were any other colors. Nobody knew anything about them. However, one of my neighbors was a service technician at a Cadillac dealer. I told him about these cool plain IROC-Z's. He told me to drop by his dealership the following week. I did, and he introduced me to the dealership owner. He knew about the cars, and told me there were 500 produced, and only 100 were black. I asked if he could substantiate that, and he gave me the name & number of a member of the GM California marketing group. He gave me the same numbers, 500, 400 red & 100 black, and of course, took most of the credit for the idea of their production. I asked if there was any documentation to back his story. He sighed loudly, and asked if I had anymore questions. At that point he rudely terminated our conversation. Unfortunately, I didn't look very far ahead (this was 1985, mind you), and didn't keep his name, either. I still hadn't seen a black one at that point, but two weeks later my neighbor called me about a black one his boss was driving with dealer plates at the Caddy dealership. The rest is history, I went down, bought it that day at the Caddy dealer, although it was delivered at a Chevrolet dealership in Santa Ana, CA.
Bottom line, we both spoke to GM officials, and got different numbers. Since I own a black one, I believe my guy, whatever his name was!

Dave Sauro

 

It is very good to see 1 of the writers for Camaro Performers getting info from here. The magazine has gottin way better since the begining with 3rd gens. Keep up the good work.

 

I have an original magazine print ad featuring a black one ... If interested let me know !!!

~DaVe

 

You have a PM.
Is it the one that starts out, " For a limited time your California Chevrolet dealer can offer you a Camaro like no other.", and states only 500 will be available, red & black, etc.?

Dave Sauro

 

CORRECT !



AND I will sell the original if wanted ! I'm a Camaro NUT !!! and finding stuff like this that matches your car is like winning the lottery (OK for a day anyhow)

Oh and I LOVE Camaro Performers ! And like all the others would appreciate more 3rd gen coverage, SO I sent an email with a mod list and some pics ... NOT EVEN a one word reply

~DaVe

 

You have a PM (again)!!

 

I also sent bumpaD82 a PM yesterday asking about the ad and asked if he would post it. Pretty cool ad that GM ran.

It was James Barragan, Van Nuys plant superintendent that gave the number of 502 units being made. I think that 2 were first produced in black and red to debut at local car shows before the other 500 were made available to the chevy dealerships. Since he seemed to know the exact number made. He stated this in Michael Lamm's book, "Camaro The Third Generation" on page 80. That is the only reason that I give validity to that number. As far as exactly how many were built in each color, red or black, is still a mystery like many GM facts on Camaros, nobody has found any documentation.

I'll post some other interesting things I've come across about these cars later. I just have to find them. I'm busy this weekend with my son's graduation.

 

It's a very cool ad. In another post, a couple years back, I mentioned a member on Iroczone quoted this ad in a post there. I asked him for a scanned copy. He agreed, but never sent it, or posted it. I think we discussed Michael Lamms 1C5 info in that same thread. It would make sense. I remember seeing the early two (one red & one black) at the Orange County car show, along side a '85 I.R.O.C. race car. This was months before 1C5's production. At the time, I had no idea what they were.
As always, I'm looking forward to the other things when you get time.
Congratulations to your son.

For some reason, I don't appear to be receiving incoming PM's here, as of late. ??

 

I remember seeing a pic of the California IROC back then. I thought it was the most tastefully done IROC I had ever seen. No tacky graphics, no fake hood louvers - it really appealed to me.

 

So you're saying that you would have ordered your black 89 like a California IROC if it was possible.

 

Well, I did get the decal delete....

 

And now ... like when you send them an email ...

crickets chirping from Camaro Performers magazine

I will get back to PM's ASAP, Today I hope

~DaVe

 

WOW! That's an awesome picture/ad. Sorry for the delay. For some reason I was getting notices in my personal E-mailbox every time a post was made to this thread. Smash-cut to the last week...I have not seen a note saying more posts had been made. On a whim, I decided to check back to this thread and WOW!

Thanks for all the great info so far. Some other wive's tales I heard about California IROC Zs was that they came with modified 700R4 transmissions and an upgraded camshaft. I don't know how true that is, but I do know that mine had some decent get up and go for a stock 305 TPI.

As far as getting crickets when E-mailing or mailing letters, photos, and requests to get your car featured in Camaro Performers...We get a ton of mail. We can only respond to some of it, but rest assured...we get and read all of it.

BumpaD82 - Your image and input will be a big help! You da' man! - I'm sending you a PM.

Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

P.S. Don't worry, we're getting more third-gen stuff all the time. We try to get all 5 generations in every issue these days. All this California IROC information will help.

 

Dave,

By the tear at the top of the page, it appears that this ad came out of a magazine. Do you know which magazine it's from? I imagine that it's a California-based/centric magazine since it refers to California dealers.

Thanks,
Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

 

Back in the early 1990s I saw a black California IROC on the freeway in Benicia California with a license plate that read "CALIROC". Has anyone seen this California IROC?

Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

 

Tony,
Maybe directing your inquiry to the Northern California board might net some feedback. They have some thirdgen clubs up there.

Dave

 

aww damn to bad mines a z28

 

I wish I did, there isn't any indication of what publication it was out of

The back of it is a hasbro ad for "my Buddy"

(you have a return PM)

... and I guess I shouldn't throw jabs at the Camaro Performers magazine, I DO LOVE IT, and since I own 1st,3rd,& 4th generation cars, I get plenty of related articles ! THANK YOU !

~DaVe

 

Yo Soy El Warg,

According to Amazon, Michael Lamm wrote 2 books on 3rd-gens.
Here are the 2 titles:
Camaro 3 Gen Hc Hp606 (Supposedly released in 1990)
Third Generation -hardcover (Supposedly released in 1982)

I have to assume that the book titled, "Camaro 3 Gen Hc Hp606" is the book you're referring to...since it's really hard to imagine he knew about the California IROC before 1982 (release of the book), but being an author of 4 how-to build hot rod books...I know Amazon can get their details incorrect.

I want to order the book with reference to the California IROCs.

Thanks for your continued help!

Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

 

You are right because there are 2 versions of Michael Lamm's book. I have both version's of it.. The later version would have a picture of a red IROC on the paper covering.
My first look of that book was down at Classic Industries when I was living out there back in 2005-06. A friend of mine and I were down there looking around and I got to talking to the salesperson and he showed me his copy of the book...
You can find copies of the first edition easier than you can of the second edition. It took me awhile to find a good copy of second edition.

 

The book I was referring to is the second one in this series that Michael Lamm wrote, titled "CAMARO, THE THIRD GENERATION" with the red Iroc convertible on the cover. Four or five years ago I called Michael Lamm when I was trying to find the book for myself. The only edition he had was the 1982 hardcover and was out of the second version with the red Iroc convertible on it. I found one that came from the Mesa Junior H.S. library and was in terrible shape for $10.00. At least I had a copy and that is where I read about the "California Iroc" production numbers on page 80. Later I found an excellent copy for around $30.00. Both of my books are the Third printing and have 1987 as the release date.

 

I bought my copy of Camaro, the Third Generation new back in the day. List price was $19.95. The ISBN is 0-89586-460-6. Back 11 years ago you could do a search for something like this on buy.com using the ISBN, title or author. Back then the web site was set up for people to buy and sell books or CD's. As I recall eBay bought them out years ago, so now you find everything under the sun for sale. Unfortunately that dilutes their original purpose. Good luck with your search for the book. It is a great reference source.

Lon

 

Thanks so much for all your help and great information.

Keep this thread going if you have more information on California IROCs in the future.

I'm going to write about these cars in a future issue of Camaro Performers with what I have so far. I'll continue doing research even after it's printed and give you more info as I get it.

Thanks again,
Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

 

Another book that Michael Lamm wrote that's very good is, "The Great Camaro". It has a copyright of 1978-81 and was published by Lamm-Morada publishing Co. Inc. Post Office Box 7607 Stockton, California 95207. My edition is the fourth printing in January of 1981.

Here is another interesting story about the "California Iroc". In Mike Antonick's, "Camaro White Book" in the 1967-2002 edition he didn't have the "California Iroc" (1C5) RPO listed. When I spoke with him about his sources for the book he said that he had got all his RPO codes from GM and they had no knowledge of it ever being built. They apparently lost the records.
Before writing the "Camaro White Book" he went to visit Michael Lamm and read the books in Michael's own library to get information for his own book. He said that he only saw the first publishing of Michael Lamm's, "CAMARO THE THIRD GENERATION" which didn't have anything in it about the "California Irocs". I told him that I spoke to Michael Lamm about 5 years ago when I was looking for his, "CAMARO THE THIRD GENERATION" second edition which mentions the "California Irocs" production numbers on page 80. He told me he was sold out and that he didn't even have a copy of it for himself. This is why Mike Antonick never read about it while visiting with Michael Lamm and thus didn't have this information about it for his book back then.
However, after I provided documentation about the "California Iroc" being built and other related information on them. He listed it (1C5) in his lated edition of the "Camaro White Book" 1967-2011. He also was nice enough to acknowledge me as a contributor in this new edition of his book and sent me an autographed copy. He is always trying to get the most accurate information for his books as he prints newer editions. I'm sure he would like to get any documented new information on Camaros that our members can provide to him.

 

I found a California IROC for sale.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/3097203218.html

It's been repainted and would take some fixing to put it back to collectible status. The owner seems like a nice guy. I hope that he finds a car collector to buy the car that will put it back to original.

Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

 

Nice find, I sent him an e-mail and asked for his Vin # so I could add it to the 13 others that I have so far located. I'm trying to figure out if particular colors and options such as T-tops were built at the same time or in separate runs.

 

Nice ... Now that you've informed him on what he has the price went from 7500 (ad text) to 9500 (title)

~DaVe

 

He knew what it was before I called. I think the previous owner told him what it was and that it was rare...but he DEFINITELY knew about the 1C5. Somehow, my inquiry spurred another look and he found this thread. I posted his whole original ad... (I thought is was $4500...but looking now...it was $5500. In 24 hours it went to $7500, then $9500).

Somebody must have told him that he was sitting on some sort of gold mine...or he just came up with that idea on his own. I think he's aiming a LITTLE high for a modified car with a non-stock paint job (that's...by the owner's admission...was his first try and has spots that need to be fixed and doesn't have the flex-agent in the fascia paint)...but what do I know?

If he get's that price, the value of other cars will go up. We'll see.

Tony Huntimer
Camaro Performers magazine

-----
His original ad
-----
I have a 1985 Chevy Camaro for sale. the odometer reads 47000. it only has a 5 digit odometer so that could mean 147000 on the body. the engine was rebuilt in early 2010, the trans was rebuilt in late 2011. THE ENGINE AND TRANS HAVE LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEM. the engine is a Tuned Port Injected 305 that has been machined twice. it has new Bosch 19lb fuel injectors and almost every sensor under the hood is brand new. Flowtech headers with custom y pipe. the rest of the exhaust is completely stock. new plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, new HEI coil. Fresh Coolant, Fresh oil as of 6/23. new EGR valve, newer Mass Air Flow Sensor. the transmission has been rebuilt and the planetary gears have been updated. a shift kit has been also installed. I believe the trans shop said he put a 2000 stall converter in to so that is new as well. all seals have been replaced in both the block and the transmission. it has factory IROC wheels, the tires are newer with less than 1000 miles as well. they are 245/50zr16 PZ-900 primewell. new front brake rotors, pads, bearings and wheel seals. it has newer paint however it has really bad orange peel effect. the rear bumper has some paint peel since I did not properly prep the plastic bumper cover. there are not any badges or decals on the car except the interior dash. the interior is in pretty good shape except the drivers seat has a few tears in the side from getting in and out. the passenger seat belt does not buckle. it worked the first time I had a passenger and then stopped working for some reason. the dash has one small crack/hole between the pass and driver side where my passengers knee hit it when they got in. I have pictures if any one wants, I can email them or pic message them. i am asking 5500 OBO only serious buyers only. you can text me at six five one - six seven five - six two nine seven. DID I MENTION I AM TAKING CASH ONLY????