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The first time I saw a black IROC Z with red decals go down my street when I was about 10 years old I never forgot it. I wanted to know what that car was, what it was like to drive it, and who drove it.. It made all the other “boxy” 80s cars with chrome trim, bad pinstripes and wire hubcaps look silly, The car had mystique and presence..
I started saving any money I could and as soon as I started working at 14 and opened a savings account at now defunct BayBank to buy my first Camaro.
At 16 I finished drivers ed, got my license, and had $2200.
I found a burgundy/silver ground effect 87 Z28 with T-Tops and a 5-speed TPI and 80k. My dad insisted on his mechanic checking it out and the mechanic said it was not worth the $3500. Said it was leaking oil and to pass on it unless they came down to $3000 and they wouldn’t budge.. I loved that car and was devastated.
Soon after I found this 1985 Z28 T-Top with TPI, but was an Auto with 90k. It had the 85mph Speedo, power windows, seats, mirrors and the “Camaro” clock in the console. The black velour interior was pretty mint. It passed the mechanic inspection.
I was happy with the car but I noticed a burgundy IROC in the school parking lot and it really caught my eye. I had to go all out and get an IROC. A few weeks later another guy I knew who’s dad was a car dealer and always had different cars showed up in an 87 5-speed T-Top IROC with 24k miles. He started doing mods to it and it was quick. He put it up for sale like he always did with his cars and I begged my parents to help me get a loan to get it. With the money from the white Z28 some more savings and a payment of $135/mo I snagged my first IROC. I became friends with the other burgundy IROC owner who had a 5.7 hardtop.
He kept his car stock except for the gutted airbox, Flowmaster, pulley and a chip.
We were neck and neck on the strip, but when I decided to get my valve stem seals fixed I did some improvements that pulled me ahead. I could edge out a 1996 Camaro SS which was a big deal for a 305. It was a fun quick car that had a fun life.
It was in a bad collision in 1996 when a guy pulled right into oncoming traffic and I locked up my brakes and couldn’t avoid him. I worked for the biggest body guy in The state and since it wasn’t my fault my boss made the insurance company pay for a flawless restoration of the car.. drove better and looked better than when I first got it. It met its end in 2001 when I was rear ended hard waiting to turn. A guy talking on his phone plowed into me. I saw it coming and tried to launch the car but wasn’t quick enough. The back seats were touching the front seats. I escaped injury by bracing myself and bending my steering wheel.
It was a great car and still started up and ran strong with well over 100k. Interior and front of the car still looked mint and when I went over the receipts with the adjuster and the quality of the paint, interior, etc they gave me $7000. The adjuster said it almost made him want to cry. He asked me to start it up and it fired right up and still sounded good.
I hadn’t had a thirdgen in almost 2 decades. I took the $7000 and put down on an awesome deal on a 1998 Tahoe that took me 300k Miles.
I had saved some money and was doing well with work so around 2012 I started looking around for IROCs to see if there were any left but it was slim pickings.
After a few years of searching everywhere I decided I wanted a convertible because I thought the IROC convertible was one of the most beautiful cars ever. And I knew I’d have to find one and ship it here after looking at the local cars for sale. There aren’t many nice ones.
I went through a lot to get this Vert with 30k Miles bone stock unmolested. It’s everything I wanted.. the color, the mint interior with the correct steering wheel, etc. The beautiful untouched TPI under the hood. I had it painted to look factory brand new because that’s what I want for this car. I am going through every nook to take the age off of it because I always dreamed of buying one of these brand new. The original paint was pretty good, but I wanted flawless. No chips, cracks, marks, etc..
Bought the car sight unseen with lots of pics, videos, and a contract on the condition. Car needed nothing but an alignment.. Drives great and couldn’t be happier!
They made variations of the Burgundy. 86-87 was a darker red metallic, 88-90 was flame red with what looks like more gold metallic flake which makes it really pop when the sun hits it, and 91-92 was more of a dark coral red. They all had paint code 74 if I’m not mistaken but the WA numbers were different.
my code was 74U WA9535
I told the painter I really wanted the exact color. He nailed it.. matches the door jams perfectly. I even like how it looks a little brick red or burnt orange in some lighting.
