Yes I did read the posts above regarding valuable vs rare etc. Now that I have the info curious the general consensus.

Looking at purchasing a 1985 IROC-Z with 58K original miles. It is blue in color, 305, 5.0 HO manual, non t top car. It has never been messed with and although the paint is in good shape it is by no means perfect or showroom quality. The interior is complete and everything about the car appears to be original.

I did not see this car on the list in the valuable/rare list. I saw an 1985 IROC LB9 / A4 / G92 but that is not this car. I also found a Z28 L69 / 5.0 HO car listed but this car is an IROC-Z not just a Z28.

Overall it is a clean car, yes some ware but overall a really clean car that has been used but a lot of life and or really good bones to it still. Would this car be one to leave stock or could you build this car? Full transparency I want an IROC to build with an LS and the DSE treatment throughout. I wouldn't want to cut up a rare gem however if this is considered one. Although nice and yes it is an IROC I don't think this car is a true rare gem collectible. Am I wrong?

1G1FP87GXFL- - - - - -

1- USA
G - GENERAL MOTORS
1 - CHEVROLET
F - COUPE
P - CAMARO COUPE OR Z28
87 - SPORT COUPE/CAMARO
G - 305 190 L69
X - "CHECK DIGIT"
F - 85
L - VAN NUYS

1982-86 CAMARO VIN
Vehicle Identification Number Example: 1G1AP87H4CN100000
First Digit Nation of Origin: 1=USA, 2=Canada
Second Digit Division: G=General Motors
Third Digit: 1=Chevrolet, 7=GM of Canada('83-'88)
Fourth Digit: A=non-passive, B=automatic belts, C=inflatable restraint, F=Coupe
Fifth Digit Model: P=Camaro Coupe or Z28, S=Berlinetta
Six & Seven Digits Body Style: 87=Sport Coupe/Camaro,
Eigth Digit Engine: See Engine Codes Below
Ninth Digit is Check digit
Tenth Digit Year: C=82, D=83, E=84, F=85, G=86
Eleventh Digit Production Plant: N=Norwood,Ohio, L=Van Nuys
Last Six Digits increase by one with each car built at each plant

1985 1986 1987
2 151-88 (LQ9) F 305-190 (LB9) 8 350-220 (B2L)
S 173-135 (LB8) G 305-190 (L69) F 305-190 (LB9)
F 305-215 (LB9) H 305-155 (LG4) H 305-160 (LG4)
G 305-190 (L69) S 173-135 (LB8) S 173-135 (LB8)
H 305-155 (LG4)

 

My . I would not buy this car on the premise of swapping out basically everything mechanical. I would look for a IROC already swapped and buy a nice one, unless you have the parts waiting to go. Or look for a lesser IROC that is prime for a swap, blown motor or trans and save the extra cash this car will cost.
This car you describe may not be rare or uber valuable but it is a 1st year IROC. The L69HO has some factory performance enhancements, like a posi 3.73 axle. The mileage is low and if it is mostly all there IMHO i would look for a different car.

 

The problem with a swapped already IROC is one they are hard to find, also hard to find done right, and any that are done and clean are really high priced not to mention a flight to see it and shipping to get it home.

Although it is a first year car there were a lot made considering and also it doesn't meet the requirements for a rare car.

I guess it would also have to do with the cost of the car vs. build too. If it was a good deal would that change anything? Also I do not want a total restoration/redo. Would like to swap and change the suspension and drive it and enjoy it. I sold a 66 Nova recently that was way to nice to drive and I dont want to go back to that, I would like something in good shape and super clean appearing but need not be perfect. That comes at a cost unfortunately.

 

All IROC-Zs are valuable. If you're changing the drivetrain and suspension, there's really no point in starting with an IROC-Z, just get a clean roller for cheap and put the stickers on when you're done.

 

I agree with this to some extent, but I disagree with the "just put the stickers on" part.

Inevitably, it's your car to do what you want. A clean canvas to start with makes it better for your build, if you can get the car for a good price. I wanted to do a similar build to a 1982 pace car I had. It was a great body car, but the LG4 was weak, so I was thinking replace the engine, trans, rear and suspension and have my own resto mod. The 1985 IROC-Z is not commanding top dollars, even though it's a 1st year, so you shouldn't be concerned with resale value. The car is not rare, so I say buy it and build it. You can even offset some costs by selling the engine and trans combo as they are desirable for a restoration.

 

Clean non IROC rollers are hard to find. I don't want a total resto, but I cant argue if you can find a clean non IROC then there would most definitely be a cost savings in the initial purchase of the car.

 

This was more what I was thinking which is why Ive been doing my research. I guess I just dont see a stock 58k 1985 sky rocketing in value not to mention even stock I wouldn't not drive it so Id be putting miles on it either way

 

I'm not sure what the future holds for the value of 3rd gens as the government continues to regulate them off the streets. We've seen a peak in pricing over the past year, but that price is currently dropping. The values may start to go up after the new car/used car pricing stabilizes.

I would buy what you want and start enjoying it while you can. If you want the IROC-Z nostalgia, then buy an IROC-Z. I disagree with buying an RS, Sport Coupe or Z28 and cloning an IROC-Z, especially by adding the badges and decals.

 

Thanks Scott. Yeah I do agree with you on this one. Been following IROC's for over a year now. Sold a Pro-Touring Nova and wanting something totally different and I've always been a fan of these cars since my parents had 2 when I was young. My Nova was built out and still fetched more than a stock rare one on most days. I also believe that car peaked in value in fact I kept it to long. I don't know the IROC has reached its peak but the popularity sure is growing. As I mentioned non IROC cars that are clean are really hard to find and although it possibly could go up in value I don't ever see these cars fetching money like a rare 1969 Camaro. With that said I think I'm gonna see if I can make an offer.

 

Lots of us love to see stock clean examples. On the other hand Its your car and if you want to have fun with it make it what you want. The value of it to a lot of people will plummet but maybe thats not your concern.

 

The 1985 IROC 305HO is a one year only, very cool car. However, like many have said already, it's not going to bring the high dollars like a sub 10K mile 87'-90' 5.7 IROC. If you want an IROC, buy the IROC and this one sounds like its a solid car that will be a good starting point for a build. I also would not do a clone. If you want to LS swap it, do it. Make the car what you want it to be. Restomods are cool too.

 

My opinion for what it’s worth, an IROC is an IROC.

There are “rare” ones but I think the finished product is more important. Hacked ones are plentiful, I can buy an 89 RS locally for 4k with
LQ4 6.0 but it’s POS on 4 wheels.

If it was my project I would do the power train swap, but make the car look stock from the outside and enjoy. It would be impossible for me
to put that much work into a car and not drive it every chance I got. Anytime it’s on the road that is wear and tear on the car so decide if your are going to create a garage/trailer queen or something you can drive to car shows. Let that be a factor on buying/budget/and final product…..Blue is a cool color for an IROC too.

 

I'll always be in favor of keeping any good-condition, all-original survivor 3rd gen stock. To me, it's not really about the $$$ value but rather the fact that there is a finite number of these cars left, and as I've stated here many times, they're only original once.

Sure, decent 3rd gens are hard to find, as you're finding out, and they will only become that much harder to find as time goes by---another reason to leave that one as-is. Of course, if you buy this car, you're free to do as you choose.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

There's only so many nice original cars left. Hard pass on doing a swap to this one. You can find decent rollers. I mean, someone on here last year sold a really nice 89 or 90 roller, out of Texas, for like $3k. LS swapped cars also come up for sale on here, frequently, that seem to be done right. If you plan to do it right, you'll never get the money back out of this one. And if you don't plan to do it right, just start off with someone's hacked up version.

 

It's been a few months. Wonder if he bought the car to chop up or left it for the next enthusiast...

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...ml#post6513930

 

Ouch. A little part of me just died.

 

I don't get it. It might not have been rare when it was built. It is now though because most have been hacked up. One just sold on Bring-A-Trailer last week. And you have to apply to have a car sold on there so it must not have been junk. Just buy one of those. It'll be cheaper in the long run. This one, as-is, will be appreciate in value. An LS swapped pro-touring build won't. Best case you get your money back out, and most likely you won't. Just start woth someone else's project.

 

I realize at THIS point any comments are coming too late, but no way I'd have cut up that car. A manual, HO, First year/85 IROC...and in BLUE! One year blue in 85 only. That's a keeper for me!!!!!! Ouch. BUT.....I'm also a fan of doing what you want with what you've got. Still....wouldn't have BOUGHT this with the intent of taking apart.

To address some other points made. I like the idea of having an IROC, as opposed to an RS, if given the choice. ...but there are plenty of shabby run of the mill IROCs out there.

 

I tend to agree with you, would for sure upgrade the suspension but nothing that can't be undone for better handling but would for sure keep the drivetrain while doing what I could to bump up the power a bit.

 

There are many of these cars in nice original condition that will likely never come to market, tucked away & not ever mentioned here on the forum. They are hidden out sight so it really can't bother anyone.
As far as building / customizing a nice car like this, I could for sure side with somebody who wants to build one & have as solid of a start as possible to work with.
No restoration, no paint work or anything required. just tear it down & build it the way you want. its kind of a no brainier versus restoring something that is of a lesser quality.
If you know what you want & the build is your dream, then who cares about everything else.

However, Its just hard to know of it happening because there are so many of us (myself included) that just appreciate the heck out of these cars in their original form & condition.
So to see images of a nice original & know it will be torn down & modified is painful to realize.

In this History-Originality forum, your going to get a lot of that.
I think If this post was started in the suspension or engine swap forum there would be far less resistance.

 

"So to see images of a nice original & know it will be torn down & modified is painful to realize."

I am by no means a purist and have always felt that "it's your car do what you want" always comes first, but the statement quoted above trumps my views on this and rings so true after seeing a pic of the car.

 

Might as well start placing bets on what this car looks like 5 years from now. I see it sinking into a yard somewhere, different engine half assembled or already blown up, bunch of crappy aftermarket "mod" parts hanging off it. Mouse and rodent infestations and some guy trying to sell it for 10x what it is worth. "I've got more than that in it".

 

*facepalm.jpeg*

That car is much too nice to hack up, OP. You should flip it for a tidy profit and then buy a roller or beater 3rd gen to "build."

 

Yep, this.

Oh, and, I'll just leave this here.......