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1987-1988 RS

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Old 01-08-2018, 12:27 AM
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1987-1988 RS

When I was in high school driving my 1976 Camaro, they came out with the RS exclusive to I believe just CA at the end of 1987, and then available in 1988 in TX, FL, and CA. I saw them on the lot back in 1988 when vacationing in Sarasota FL where my grandparents and other relatives lived. I always thought they were the best looking 3rd gen Camaros. They had mostly red and white ones probably due to the FL sun, but I think there was at least one black one on the lot. The dealer had put rear louvers on most of them and painted the louvers body color. Now my wife and I are going to be doing the snowbird thing and driving down each year to winter in FL, leaving my project 2nd gen Camaro here for the rest of the year. So I'm thinking about having another Camaro in Florida that I can keep in a storage unit until winter and drive while we are down there.

I've got the '88 RS on my options list, and plan to shop around and see if I can find any while I'm down there. But there isn't much info out there on how they were equipped. I know they came with the 2.8L V6, Z28 bumpers and ground effects, 15" Z28 wheels, Z28 steering wheel, regular spoiler, standard hood, and everything painted red, black, or white from ground effects to wheel inserts. I don't remember what color interior they had, or if they were only available with auto or had 5spd option too? Were there any available options with them; perhaps T-tops, radio packages, etc?

It doesn't show up in the value guides for 1988, so I don't know if it is priced any higher than the base SC of the same year with V6? My guess is most people probably wouldn't know its more rare status when selling there's.

What were the differences between the '88 RS and the '88 SC? I know the SC had that funky spoiler with silver/gold painted ground effects and wheels, as well as the standard steering wheel. It could come with the 5.0 TBI engine. And of course there was the "CAMARO" badge on it instead of the "RS".

Thanks.
Attached Thumbnails 1987-1988 RS-chevrolet-camaro-1988-1.jpg   1987-1988 RS-dscf0029.jpg   1987-1988 RS-l_864c343082dcce0c54a85ff33cffaa6b.jpg  
Old 01-08-2018, 03:03 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
When I was in high school driving my 1976 Camaro, they came out with the RS exclusive to I believe just CA at the end of 1987, and then available in 1988 in TX, FL, and CA. I saw them on the lot back in 1988 when vacationing in Sarasota FL where my grandparents and other relatives lived. I always thought they were the best looking 3rd gen Camaros. They had mostly red and white ones probably due to the FL sun, but I think there was at least one black one on the lot. The dealer had put rear louvers on most of them and painted the louvers body color. Now my wife and I are going to be doing the snowbird thing and driving down each year to winter in FL, leaving my project 2nd gen Camaro here for the rest of the year. So I'm thinking about having another Camaro in Florida that I can keep in a storage unit until winter and drive while we are down there.

I've got the '88 RS on my options list, and plan to shop around and see if I can find any while I'm down there. But there isn't much info out there on how they were equipped. I know they came with the 2.8L V6, Z28 bumpers and ground effects, 15" Z28 wheels, Z28 steering wheel, regular spoiler, standard hood, and everything painted red, black, or white from ground effects to wheel inserts. I don't remember what color interior they had, or if they were only available with auto or had 5spd option too? Were there any available options with them; perhaps T-tops, radio packages, etc?

It doesn't show up in the value guides for 1988, so I don't know if it is priced any higher than the base SC of the same year with V6? My guess is most people probably wouldn't know its more rare status when selling there's.

What were the differences between the '88 RS and the '88 SC? I know the SC had that funky spoiler with silver/gold painted ground effects and wheels, as well as the standard steering wheel. It could come with the 5.0 TBI engine. And of course there was the "CAMARO" badge on it instead of the "RS".
Thanks.
Here is what I know about this limited production RS package in 1987-88.

What you have stated above is correct. It was an unusual car and doesn't show up in the value guides because there was no model number assigned to it so you could place an order for it at the dealerships as you could the SC models and get the option choices that were available. Along with the fact that there is very little information out there about this model.

Like the build of the 1985 "California" IROC RPO (1C5) or (Z5V)? You couldn't place an order with the dealership for these cars. The production employees at the assembly plant got to participate in how these cars would be equipped.

I think they tended to be about $500 over the SC model base price. The 1987-88 RS only came in the 3 mono chromatic colors, red, black, or white.
You got the ground effects, color matched wheels, rear spoiler, Z28 leather steering wheel, and probably some suspension upgrades. GM was trying to make an affordable, sporty, and insurable Camaro that was similar to the Z28 and IROC in appearance only, since a V8 wasn't optional, and they only came with the standard V6. As far as the availability of either a manual or automatic transmission, I don't know.

GM built them all at the Van Nuys, California plant and only sent them to dealerships in California in 1987 as a test market since GM had discontinued the RS with the 1980 second generation Camaros and were planning on bringing it back if there was a great enough demand.

The Camaro White Book doesn't have them listed specifically with RPO code (Z5C) that triggers the build for an RS model so there are no production numbers for 1987. Though they do mention that the limited edition RS was built in 1987-88 with these unique features. I have never been able to find any production numbers for the RS in 1987, I would assume it is very low.

The Camaro White Book states that in 1988 they produced 7038 of this limited RS and marketed them on the west coast, California, mid west, Arizona, and east coast, Florida. Though there isn't a RPO code listed in the book for an RS model.

I've seen the SPID RPOs on 3 of them over the years and they all had this common RPO (Z5C). Which was the California merchandising package for them at that time. So if your looking for one in the future and want to find a genuine 1987-88 RS that hasn't been cloned from a SC it should have RPO (Z5C).If any further documentation comes from GM (Z5C) will probably be listed as an updated RPO code for this car. Currently, I have not found it on any GM RPO lists and eventually a revision should be made.

Since they were only available in white, red, and black as you mentioned above that is something else to watch for as you look for one. The 3 cars I have seen were all hardtops with RPO (Z5C) and without the rear window louvers. I don't know if they made any with T-Tops and I don't remember what type of transmissions they had.

Here is an old picture of a black 1987 with the black wheels.
http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1987-...t-camaro-10918

Here is a list of California marketing RPOs I've located. If anyone has them on their SPID let us know what models they refer to.
1983- (Z5K) California-?
1984- (Z5S) California-?
1985- (Z5V) California-?
1987- (Z5C) California-RS
1988- (Z5C) California-RS
Old 01-08-2018, 03:17 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

A friend of mine had a dark red metallic 1988 RS 5.0L TBI automatic t-top RS and bought it new in the summer of 1988. I distinctly remember the RS badging. We called it the "Really Slow", as the 5.0 TBI w/ automatic left a lot to be desired, but was a nice looking car.

I thought I had some pictures of the car, and perhaps I do, but not sure where they would be... 30 years later...
Old 01-08-2018, 04:48 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
A friend of mine had a dark red metallic 1988 RS 5.0L TBI automatic t-top RS and bought it new in the summer of 1988. I distinctly remember the RS badging. We called it the "Really Slow", as the 5.0 TBI w/ automatic left a lot to be desired, but was a nice looking car.

I thought I had some pictures of the car, and perhaps I do, but not sure where they would be... 30 years later...
For 1989 the Sport Coupe model was discontinued and only the IROCZ and RS models were offered and thus the SC Camaro badging was gone.

The 1989 RS coupe was only available with a the LB8 V6 till mid year. The 1989 RS convertibles all came with the LO3 5.0L engine.

Correction for the 1989 RS with V8. Thought it was for the 1990 model year.

Last edited by yo soy el warg; 01-08-2018 at 10:25 PM.
Old 01-08-2018, 05:22 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
For 1989 the Sport Coupe model was discontinued and only the IROCZ and RS models were offered and thus the SC Camaro badging was gone.

The 1989 RS coupe was only available with a the LB8 V6 as a 1989. The 1989 RS convertibles all came with the LO3 5.0L engine.

It wasn't until 1990 that the RS coupe could be ordered with the optional LO3 5.0L engine.

It was probably a RS coupe with a LO3 5.0L engine that was ordered in the summer of 1989 and was a 1990 model.
It was summer of 1988, as my memory is crystal clear on that. In California. Car had aftermarket wheels on it when new, so can't comment on what should have been in place from Van Nuys. I am looking for pics. Could have been a V6, but thought it had the TBI air cleaner, as the V6 looked much different. It was an unforgettable summer, and the car is only part of why.
Old 01-08-2018, 05:36 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Pics of aftermarket Jongbloed wheels which were on the RS. Can't recall is they were 15" or 16", but probably 15... Fun to clean...

Old 01-08-2018, 08:09 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

The '89 RS was available with a V8 in coupe form.
Old 01-08-2018, 08:53 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by scottmoyer
The '89 RS was available with a V8 in coupe form.
When did 89 deliveries begin? What month in summer of 88?
Old 01-09-2018, 10:31 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
A friend of mine had a dark red metallic 1988 RS 5.0L TBI automatic t-top RS and bought it new in the summer of 1988. I distinctly remember the RS badging. We called it the "Really Slow", as the 5.0 TBI w/ automatic left a lot to be desired, but was a nice looking car.

I thought I had some pictures of the car, and perhaps I do, but not sure where they would be... 30 years later...
I suspect that it was actually an early 1989 model because the FL, CA, and TX cars only came in bright red, white, and black; but also only came with the 2.8L engine. I was thinking that the '89-'90 cars had a facelift, but I was remembering incorrectly because they didn't get the vents in the ground effects until 1991 and 1992. So the '89 and '90 RSs are similar to the '87 and '88 RSs, only with more color options and the 5.0L available. So I might ultimately try finding one of those just because it can be upgraded much easier with headers, cam, heads, intake, and larger TBI so that "Really Slow" won't apply.
Old 01-09-2018, 10:50 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
For 1989 the Sport Coupe model was discontinued and only the IROCZ and RS models were offered and thus the SC Camaro badging was gone.

The 1989 RS coupe was only available with a the LB8 V6 till mid year. The 1989 RS convertibles all came with the LO3 5.0L engine.

Correction for the 1989 RS with V8. Thought it was for the 1990 model year.
Ok, I was working on production numbers and was wondering if the the convertible was V8 only, thanks for the clarification. Here's what I was able to cobble together with some detective work from several websites:

1987 RS V6 - 6,618

1988 RS V6 - 7,038

1989 RS V6 - 42,729
1989 RS V8 - 40,758
1989 RS convertible V8 - 3,245

1990 RS V6 - 12,743
1990 RS V8 - 16,007
1990 RS convertible V8 - 729
Old 01-09-2018, 11:25 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Learn something everyday. I thought 88 was SC and IROC only year.
Old 01-09-2018, 11:32 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
Here is what I know about this limited production RS package in 1987-88.

What you have stated above is correct. It was an unusual car and doesn't show up in the value guides because there was no model number assigned to it so you could place an order for it at the dealerships as you could the SC models and get the option choices that were available. Along with the fact that there is very little information out there about this model.

Like the build of the 1985 "California" IROC RPO (1C5) or (Z5V)? You couldn't place an order with the dealership for these cars. The production employees at the assembly plant got to participate in how these cars would be equipped.

I think they tended to be about $500 over the SC model base price. The 1987-88 RS only came in the 3 mono chromatic colors, red, black, or white.
You got the ground effects, color matched wheels, rear spoiler, Z28 leather steering wheel, and probably some suspension upgrades. GM was trying to make an affordable, sporty, and insurable Camaro that was similar to the Z28 and IROC in appearance only, since a V8 wasn't optional, and they only came with the standard V6. As far as the availability of either a manual or automatic transmission, I don't know.

GM built them all at the Van Nuys, California plant and only sent them to dealerships in California in 1987 as a test market since GM had discontinued the RS with the 1980 second generation Camaros and were planning on bringing it back if there was a great enough demand.

The Camaro White Book doesn't have them listed specifically with RPO code (Z5C) that triggers the build for an RS model so there are no production numbers for 1987. Though they do mention that the limited edition RS was built in 1987-88 with these unique features. I have never been able to find any production numbers for the RS in 1987, I would assume it is very low.

The Camaro White Book states that in 1988 they produced 7038 of this limited RS and marketed them on the west coast, California, mid west, Arizona, and east coast, Florida. Though there isn't a RPO code listed in the book for an RS model.

I've seen the SPID RPOs on 3 of them over the years and they all had this common RPO (Z5C). Which was the California merchandising package for them at that time. So if your looking for one in the future and want to find a genuine 1987-88 RS that hasn't been cloned from a SC it should have RPO (Z5C).If any further documentation comes from GM (Z5C) will probably be listed as an updated RPO code for this car. Currently, I have not found it on any GM RPO lists and eventually a revision should be made.

Since they were only available in white, red, and black as you mentioned above that is something else to watch for as you look for one. The 3 cars I have seen were all hardtops with RPO (Z5C) and without the rear window louvers. I don't know if they made any with T-Tops and I don't remember what type of transmissions they had.

Here is an old picture of a black 1987 with the black wheels.
http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1987-...t-camaro-10918

Here is a list of California marketing RPOs I've located. If anyone has them on their SPID let us know what models they refer to.
1983- (Z5K) California-?
1984- (Z5S) California-?
1985- (Z5V) California-?
1987- (Z5C) California-RS
1988- (Z5C) California-RS
Thanks. I did find production numbers for the RS on this site above under "Tech Data". The same numbers were also on another site, but I can't find it again now.

I read about the 1987 RS in an issue of Chevy High Performance in the GM news section in the middle. And then was surprised to see them in Florida in the spring of '88 because I saw that they expanded the market to Texas, but did not mention Florida at the time. I remembering reading that the GM employees selected the options on it, but can't remember if the manual was an option too. I do remember they said hardtop only, no T-tops.

I had a 1976 Camaro I bought for my first car in spring 1986, but it was stolen in 1988 during my freshman year of college. I got along with my grandpa's hand me down 1978 Olds Delta 88 for the sophomore year, and then finally bought my next car in 1990. But since I had to deal with Illinois winters, I decided to go with a 1988 Beretta GT instead of a Camaro. In retrospect I wish I had picked up a used '89, or leftover '90, RS instead as I'd probably still have that car today. The Beretta was an early one sold in 1987 and basically kept falling apart. I did an internship in Florida in 1993, so I traded the Beretta GT for my mother's 1986 Camaro Z28 while I was down there so my brother could drive the Beretta in winter......and then he wrecked it. Had I gotten the RS, it would have survived that winter for sure (although I'm not sure about later winters, I didn't get a 4WD until 2000 but I don't think I would have traded a Camaro if I had one at the time). Oh well.
Old 01-09-2018, 12:40 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
I suspect that it was actually an early 1989 model because the FL, CA, and TX cars only came in bright red, white, and black; but also only came with the 2.8L engine. I was thinking that the '89-'90 cars had a facelift, but I was remembering incorrectly because they didn't get the vents in the ground effects until 1991 and 1992. So the '89 and '90 RSs are similar to the '87 and '88 RSs, only with more color options and the 5.0L available. So I might ultimately try finding one of those just because it can be upgraded much easier with headers, cam, heads, intake, and larger TBI so that "Really Slow" won't apply.

Any idea when 1989 production began and deliveries were made? Specifically to CA, so the trip was short, when, if in summer of 1988, would the first cars have been on the ground for MY 1989? Makes sense then, car could have been a 1989 MY.
Old 01-09-2018, 01:14 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

The early RS flies under the radar, because it's mostly just an appearance option. Kind of like base model Firebirds with Trans Am ground effects, or later RS Camaros. Effectively it's monochrome paint and badges. Not really something that ups the collector value. Maybe someday it'll be considered rare or whatever, but the 87 LT is a lot more unique, and no one cares about them either. Lot's of unloved bastards in the Thirdgen world...
Old 01-09-2018, 07:36 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Big&BadGTA
Any idea when 1989 production began and deliveries were made? Specifically to CA, so the trip was short, when, if in summer of 1988, would the first cars have been on the ground for MY 1989? Makes sense then, car could have been a 1989 MY.
I remember seeing the new model year arriving in late August on dealerships back then. Back in the day when I cared about new cars. I know mid year early introductions were around January, I remember the 1988 Beretta and Corsica showing up then during the 1987 model year.
Old 01-09-2018, 07:38 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Blackwoodz
Learn something everyday. I thought 88 was SC and IROC only year.
For the rest of the 47 states, 5 territories, and District of Columbia it was......those lucky ducks in TX, FL, and CA got a third option.
Old 01-09-2018, 07:44 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
Here is what I know about this limited production RS package in 1987-88.

What you have stated above is correct. It was an unusual car and doesn't show up in the value guides because there was no model number assigned to it so you could place an order for it at the dealerships as you could the SC models and get the option choices that were available. Along with the fact that there is very little information out there about this model.

Like the build of the 1985 "California" IROC RPO (1C5) or (Z5V)? You couldn't place an order with the dealership for these cars. The production employees at the assembly plant got to participate in how these cars would be equipped.

I think they tended to be about $500 over the SC model base price. The 1987-88 RS only came in the 3 mono chromatic colors, red, black, or white.
You got the ground effects, color matched wheels, rear spoiler, Z28 leather steering wheel, and probably some suspension upgrades. GM was trying to make an affordable, sporty, and insurable Camaro that was similar to the Z28 and IROC in appearance only, since a V8 wasn't optional, and they only came with the standard V6. As far as the availability of either a manual or automatic transmission, I don't know.

GM built them all at the Van Nuys, California plant and only sent them to dealerships in California in 1987 as a test market since GM had discontinued the RS with the 1980 second generation Camaros and were planning on bringing it back if there was a great enough demand.

The Camaro White Book doesn't have them listed specifically with RPO code (Z5C) that triggers the build for an RS model so there are no production numbers for 1987. Though they do mention that the limited edition RS was built in 1987-88 with these unique features. I have never been able to find any production numbers for the RS in 1987, I would assume it is very low.

The Camaro White Book states that in 1988 they produced 7038 of this limited RS and marketed them on the west coast, California, mid west, Arizona, and east coast, Florida. Though there isn't a RPO code listed in the book for an RS model.

I've seen the SPID RPOs on 3 of them over the years and they all had this common RPO (Z5C). Which was the California merchandising package for them at that time. So if your looking for one in the future and want to find a genuine 1987-88 RS that hasn't been cloned from a SC it should have RPO (Z5C).If any further documentation comes from GM (Z5C) will probably be listed as an updated RPO code for this car. Currently, I have not found it on any GM RPO lists and eventually a revision should be made.

Since they were only available in white, red, and black as you mentioned above that is something else to watch for as you look for one. The 3 cars I have seen were all hardtops with RPO (Z5C) and without the rear window louvers. I don't know if they made any with T-Tops and I don't remember what type of transmissions they had.

Here is an old picture of a black 1987 with the black wheels.
http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1987-...t-camaro-10918

Here is a list of California marketing RPOs I've located. If anyone has them on their SPID let us know what models they refer to.
1983- (Z5K) California-?
1984- (Z5S) California-?
1985- (Z5V) California-?
1987- (Z5C) California-RS
1988- (Z5C) California-RS
I've been doing a little more research. It looks like the '87 and '88 RS had the Z28 steering wheel, the '89 RS had the standard funky steering wheel, and then the '90 had the airbag steering wheel. That appears to be the main difference, aside from all the other options and color choices then available.
Old 01-09-2018, 07:53 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
For the rest of the 47 states, 5 territories, and District of Columbia it was......those lucky ducks in TX, FL, and CA got a third option.
Just seems like a weird marketing ploy.
I have a 88 SC that I got in trade a few months ago. It's a 50k all original rust free South Carolina car that made it's way to Michigan. I'm learning each day.
Old 01-10-2018, 09:20 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Blackwoodz
Just seems like a weird marketing ploy.
I have a 88 SC that I got in trade a few months ago. It's a 50k all original rust free South Carolina car that made it's way to Michigan. I'm learning each day.
Yeah, the SC suddenly had the Z28 ground effects and wheels for one year....with that goofy little spoiler-ette. Same year they decided to drop the Z28 as a model and from the IROC name. I just remember those RS's on that Florida dealer's lot really stood out to me, even next to the SC and IROC-Z on the lot. The clean look of it with one color and no decals. The lack of fake hood louvers or fake brake vents like the '88 SC. And the body color paint on the wheels was a look that we hadn't seen since 1981 at that time. The dealer had also install rear louvers on most of them and painted them body color to match, which also emphasized the monochrome appearance.

Interestingly my car for the Illinois non-winter seasons is a '78 Camaro that was 41k original miles with one owner, that was never left the town it was sold in. Inline 6 with 3spd manual on the floor in bright red.
Old 01-10-2018, 11:04 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Double post

.

Last edited by Blackwoodz; 01-10-2018 at 11:08 AM.
Old 01-10-2018, 11:06 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

She's no show queen...but a survivor that could be around many more years... I found a three piece spoiler to go one before I do a repaint. I have new repop centers.....but would a later polished aluminum iroc wheels

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Old 01-10-2018, 11:10 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Hey, I have one of those survivors like yours and I wouldn't be embarrassed at all to be driving that car. Mine is about as clean looking as yours.

I've got one of those 1988 SC too. It is white with gold ground effects, gold wheels, and tan interior that is a daily driver. It has a V6 auto and has made it over 200,000 miles without a rebuild. Guys that don't know 3rd gens think it is a Z28 since I changed the CAMARO rocker panel emblems and put on Z28 that's all they notice. I laugh and always have to tell them the truth about my beastly V6.

It also has one of those goofy spoiler-ettes. Gm called them the aerowing spoiler RPO G81. They put 59,271 of those on sport coupes in 1988. For some reason they changed them 1/2 way through the year back to the 3 piece RPO G80 rear spoiler.

Does anyone know why they discontinued it in the middle of the final run of the SC?

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Old 01-10-2018, 11:14 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

I'll buy your Camaro emblems...if you want to sell them
It has z28 emblems and want the original sc emblems. I find the bumper one but not the side ones.
This is a 305 tbi....all electric but driver's seat and mirrors
52 original miles. Body is nice but clear coat is bad.
Old 01-10-2018, 11:31 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Blackwoodz
I'll buy your Camaro emblems...if you want to sell them
It has z28 emblems and want the original sc emblems. I find the bumper one but not the side ones.
This is a 305 tbi....all electric but driver's seat and mirrors
52 original miles. Body is nice but clear coat is bad.
That's funny yours has the Z28 emblems too. My clear coat is still good since I live in usually overcast Washington state.

It seems like one of the CAMARO emblems broke in half when I was pulling it off. That was 11 or 12 years ago when I got the car from the original owner with only 56,000 miles on it. It even had the rear hatch louvers on it which I took off and stored. They were loose at the time and making noises every time I hid a pot hole since they were missing one of the latches. I'll look around and see if the emblems are even worthy of selling.
Old 01-10-2018, 11:43 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Just a clarification regarding a comment that I saw posted above. In 1988, Chevrolet did NOT drop the Z28. All IROC-Zs are Z28s. In 1985-1987, all IROC-Zs will have the RPO code Z28 and also B4Z. Starting in 1988, they dropped the B4Z RPO code and all Z28s now had the IROC-Z appearance package. You will not find any IROC-Z of any year without the Z28 RPO code.

I also had a 1988 SC back in the early 90s. Mine was fully loaded, except leather. I had a local body shop paint an IROC-Z hood with louvers and rear spoiler, and had them installed on the car. Mine had the shorty spoiler also. I didn't like it. I left the CAMARO rocker badges in place though.

Attached Thumbnails 1987-1988 RS-camaro88.jpg  
Old 01-10-2018, 11:56 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

I'll bet that if you still had that 88 SC you would have kept it in excellent shape and would be driving it all the time instead of your super nice IROCZ and without the worries!
Old 01-11-2018, 08:20 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Blackwoodz
She's no show queen...but a survivor that could be around many more years... I found a three piece spoiler to go one before I do a repaint. I have new repop centers.....but would a later polished aluminum iroc wheels

.
Nice. When I'm in Florida I think I will look around for an '88-FL-RS, a '89-'90 RS, or an '88 SC. If I find an SC that is nice but needs paint I can just repaint the wheels and ground effects body color too. Probably swap the standard steering wheel in the '88 SC and '89 RS for the Z28 one too. If I find a nice V6, especially with a 5spd, I will probably go with that but I just don't know what can be done with the 2.8/3.1 engine. Otherwise an L03 with TH700 is preferable because intake/exhaust/cam/converter/gears should wake it up. It would be a winter snowbird vehicle, so 3 months of driving and into storage for the rest of the year when it's back up north and my '78 Camaro.
Old 01-11-2018, 08:32 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by scottmoyer
Just a clarification regarding a comment that I saw posted above. In 1988, Chevrolet did NOT drop the Z28. All IROC-Zs are Z28s. In 1985-1987, all IROC-Zs will have the RPO code Z28 and also B4Z. Starting in 1988, they dropped the B4Z RPO code and all Z28s now had the IROC-Z appearance package. You will not find any IROC-Z of any year without the Z28 RPO code.

I also had a 1988 SC back in the early 90s. Mine was fully loaded, except leather. I had a local body shop paint an IROC-Z hood with louvers and rear spoiler, and had them installed on the car. Mine had the shorty spoiler also. I didn't like it. I left the CAMARO rocker badges in place though.

Officially they did drop the Z28 name entirely from the lineup, and made a big deal about it to the press. They dropped Z28 from all literature and replaced the emblems with those that said IROC-Z. But many publications at the time pointed out the same thing you noticed with the RPO model code, it remained the same one that the Z28 had used. And other than new wheels and badges, the standard equipment was the same as previous Z28s just with much of option B4Z standard now. It was a lazy cheapo 3 year facelift, as they had done a proper update in '85 and again in '91, but just settled for shuffling around existing parts and called it a day. It was likely a marketing gimmick because they knew the licensing for the IROC name expired in 1990, and so they did a mid-year intro of the '91 update and promoted the hell out of the return of the Z28. I guess GM was hard up for cash at that time and pinching their pennies.
Old 01-11-2018, 08:54 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Old 01-11-2018, 08:56 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

I need to replace the disco lights.
I only have around $1500 into the car. It does need another $1500 in paint and passenger seat needs a new lower cover
Old 01-12-2018, 11:18 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Blackwoodz
I need to replace the disco lights.
I only have around $1500 into the car. It does need another $1500 in paint and passenger seat needs a new lower cover
That's a different steering wheel than was in the sales literature? The one they picture is the earlier standard sport coupe wheel with the big square cushion on it. Your steering wheel looks a little more sporty. I'm guessing the literature pics were of early mock up preproduction cars, and they changed the steering wheel for production in '88 and '89 ('90 got the airbag).
Old 01-12-2018, 06:02 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
That's a different steering wheel
Mid-80's Chevy S10.
Old 01-13-2018, 08:25 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Drew
Mid-80's Chevy S10.
So that is not the stock steering wheel then? It was swapped out?
Old 01-13-2018, 09:35 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Never realized how much an S10 steering wheel looked like a 1984-1989 Corvette steering wheel, even though the Corvette wheel is thicker, and covered in leather.


Old 01-13-2018, 10:12 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
So that is not the stock steering wheel then? It was swapped out?
Probably. Thirdgen Camaros really only came with a few steering wheels. The square pad Sport Coupe wheel, three spoke Berlinetta/LT, three spoke leather Z28, 4 spoke vinyl 90-up RS, and 4 spoke leather 90-up Z28.

You see so many other varieties because the square steering wheel is goofy, as a dog that wears clothes and drives a car, and the leather steering wheels all fall apart.
Old 01-13-2018, 11:23 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Lifeguard88
So that is not the stock steering wheel then? It was swapped out?
Lol....I guess not.
I've only had a few months.....and never even thought of it.
I actually thought get it was an iroc wheel. It was done nice...centers up and horn functions.
Old 01-13-2018, 11:47 AM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Drew
Probably. Thirdgen Camaros really only came with a few steering wheels. The square pad Sport Coupe wheel, three spoke Berlinetta/LT, three spoke leather Z28, 4 spoke vinyl 90-up RS, and 4 spoke leather 90-up Z28.

You see so many other varieties because the square steering wheel is goofy, as a dog that wears clothes and drives a car, and the leather steering wheels all fall apart.
Throw in one more to the list, the 1982 Z28 with slots on the 3 spoke leather steering wheel. I think it was 1 year only.
Old 01-13-2018, 12:15 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
Throw in one more to the list, the 1982 Z28 with slots on the 3 spoke leather steering wheel. I think it was 1 year only.
'82 and '83.
Old 01-13-2018, 12:23 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by chazman
'82 and '83.
I knew somebody on here would know for sure. Thanks
Old 01-13-2018, 12:25 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
Throw in one more to the list, the 1982 Z28 with slots on the 3 spoke leather steering wheel. I think it was 1 year only.
By definition, wouldn't that still qualify as a "three spoke leather Z28" steering wheel?
Old 01-13-2018, 02:13 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Since it has the S10 wheel and it fits like OEM...I'm thinking the 94 wheel will be similar to earlier z28 ones.
Old 01-13-2018, 05:49 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

heres a nice 88 camaro with 8,600 miles for sale

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/d...452878717.html
Old 03-16-2023, 11:13 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

I currently own a RS Camaro with Z28 Ground Effects Runs great & Beautiful interior and exterior
Old 03-17-2023, 08:19 PM
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Re: 1987-1988 RS

Originally Posted by Donald Mostelle
I currently own a RS Camaro with Z28 Ground Effects Runs great & Beautiful interior and exterior
Welcome aboard Don. Have any pictues of your RS?
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