As a few long-timers know (including admins, which hopefully won't lock an admittedly off topic post...), I've struggled over selling my IROC for awhile. Having bought it when I owned a 4 car garage, it was easy to keep. Currently, having lost that garage when my ex wife and I split (she bought me out of the house in the divorce), and having to pay for storage for the next few years while my girlfriend is in grad school (with plans to finally relocate to FL when she's done), it was time to sell the car.

The amazing thing about this is how I have no sellers remorse whatsoever. I posted the car on CL last Saturday. In less than 24 hours, I received a call from the son-in-law of the lady I bought the IROC from in 2010. I knew when I bought it that the son-in-law wanted to buy the car...and that the widow wouldn't sell it to him because she "didn't want the memories of the car around." Her late husband had owned it for 17 years, and was very attached to it. Their dog was even named "IROC."

What I did not know was they'd been looking for the twin to my car ever since...and never found it. I also did not know that the daughter was supposed to be left the car upon her father's death...and the mother refused to give it to her. They even offered her the same money I did for it, and she still refused.

They were in disbelief that I still had the car, and that it was the same car, in the same condition, with just 4,000 miles added to it. Its actually in better shape, as all the maintenance/brakes/tires are fresh on the car. When they came to see it, the daughter broke down crying, and must've said 10 times "I never thought I'd see Dad's car again."

Needless to say, at that point it almost seemed wrong to not sell it to them. The entire time I owned it, I left it just the way her father had...completely stock, changing only what was absolutely necessary. The few additions her father added (early 90s GM CD player, GM logos inside the door jambs, bowtie sticker on the air intake, chrome valve stem caps) I left in place because to me, they added to the history of the car.

I never modified it in any way or made it my own. I wanted to add TT2s...a Borla catback...a stereo that at least didn't make me cringe I could never bring myself to do it, because the car was too original...too perfect. I often felt more like its caretaker than its owner. Now, I know why...I was just returning it to where it belonged, when the time was right. They intend to keep it forever, driving it even less than I did. To them, the car truly is family. While I am sad to see the car go, after waiting so many years to find it, its one less thing to worry about now, and I know they'll preserve it and drive it even less than I did.

During the 5 years I owned the car, the response to it at shows was amazing. A clean third gen is a sight to see, especially at shows like Hemmings "Musclepalooza," where the only clean 80s cars were normally Grand Nationals. The stories people told me about the third gens they owned, everywhere I went, were amazing. Even at a drive thru window, I'd have someone waiting on me saying "I had an 85 Berlinetta and man, that thing was cool!" And that's why I decided to write this post here. Third gens truly have become pieces of memorabilia for so many people. Fourth gens, admittedly, are still just, well, cars. I have people yell "nice car!" to me all the time when driving my Z28 or my SS...but they don't evoke anywhere near the memories my IROC did. I always loved the fact TGO has a History/Originality board because its all about preservation. I brought up the idea of a similar board on LS1Tech, and just about got laughed off of it because "who cares about that?" seemed to be the general attitude...

I will be keeping my two 4th gens because honestly, I just love the way they drive. I know third gens are fun...but the powertrains, the 6 speeds, and the lack of rattles mean more to me than they used to, I guess. I'll still be lurking around TGO, as third gens are still my sentimental favorites.

And when I do make it to FL, Scott, I'll just have to meet up with you in a mean black SS, instead Thanks for reading, everyone...

 

Cool story, Jason.

 

Nicely done.

 

Thanks guys. Took the Z28 out for a long ride tonight with my girlfriend. I've owned that car for 14 years...and so many times in the past year, that was the one I was going to sell. It was even for sale last summer. I was $500 apart with a prospective buyer...a few days later when I called him to accept his offer, he'd already bought another LT1 car.

An 80k mile LT1 4th gen isn't as special or intriguing as a sub-30k mile L98 IROC...but I've discovered that car means to me what the IROC means to the family that has it back now. Fate intervened, and I got to keep the car I was meant to keep, and give up the one that is back where it belongs.

Weird how that works sometimes

 

Great read... When my 85 Z28 (black and gold hardtop with a T5) was totaled in 98 I was crushed and looked for its twin for 12 years. It always seemed like when I had the money I could never find a good 3rd gen, but when I was broke they were everywhere. I bought a few birds and a couple of camaros, but the factory black and gold 5speed cars eluded me.

Then by shear luck a farmer who dabbled in drag cars ended up with an 87 black and gold 5speed IROC with a blown motor. Apparently this car was bought new and then handed down to the son when he turned 16. The kid blew up the engine shortly after receiving the car and the parents told him he was on the hook for the repair cost. Kid took the car to this farmer to get it rebuilt, never paid for parts, and left it there for four years. The farmer got tired of it sitting in the shop so he told the kid to come get it or sign the title over to pay for storage costs and time owed. The kid signed over the title and the farmer ran into a coworker of mine and asked if he knew of anyone who would would want an IROC. Coworker called me and when I saw the car I swear I heard angels singing, and when he told me he wanted $750 for the car I almost wet my pants lol!

 

Things happen for a reason Jason. You were just the caretaker there for a few years. Awesome story.

 

You're unselfishness is to be commended Jason. I imagine the re-gift to that family is more than even what you might think. Loved the story, keep em coming TGO family.

 

Wow, interesting story. Things happen for a reason! I agree with how many people perceive our cars now. It's been getting much better over the last decade. Shame you are without a Third Gen again though!

 

Although a 2000 SS is a major upgrade in performance, it's a major downgrade in coolness from an IROC.


Great to hear that the daughter got the car back. How long did it take her to figure out that your for sale listing was actually "the one"?

 

Ive noticed the last few years that the 'thumbs up' has increased every time i take the iroc out for a spin. People remember these cars and I'm the first to say seeing a clean one out on the road is becoming pretty rare up here in CT. Mine gets tucked away the second the white stuff starts flying.

 

Things happen for a reason Jason - well done!

 

Jason, that is too cool of a story. I am sure it was hard to keep your composure while the daughter was looking and talking about her Dads car.

FormerL69..."Things happen for a reason Jason. You were just the caretaker there for a few years. Awesome story."
You beat me to it!

 

Good job, glad you left it alone and it is now back in very good hands..

 

I know...I've only been without a third gen for 4 years over the past 17. I think if the car was in my own garage like it used to be (currently no garage of my own), and I was used to seeing it every day? It would hit me more than it has. As much as I love third gens...its strange to admit I haven't missed it as much as I expected to. I know what a great car it was...but I still have 2 fourth gens, and a brand new Wrangler being delivered in 2 days. Enough to keep me occupied I guess

 

I guess it depends on the definition of cool. I agree that the IROC, being 12 years older, stuck out in a crowd more. But the 2000, in black with chrome ZR1s and a loud SLP exhaust on it, definitely gets the looks too.

They figured it out within 10 seconds of calling me. They saw the pics and thought it was...when I said "I'm the third owner," the husband stopped me right there...he knew his father-in-law was the second owner, and it snowballed from there.

Naturally, they're loving the car...