chazman

iTrader: (4)

Cool car but with many corners cut.



https://www.mecum.com/lots/CH1017-29...camaro-iroc-z/

I looked at an '89 IROC-Z several years ago. It had the exact combo of colors, wheels and powertrain as this one. It had a super cheapo paint job and trashed interior. I probably would have bought it had it still been wearing it's faded original paint. The bad paint job was a deal killer for me. It was later sold to someone else in Illinois. I wonder is this is the same car?

BTW, it has 98K miles.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Too much to list. What a piece of excrement.

KMK454

I get it, it's not a "restoration," but I'd be very happy if that's what the "average" thirdgen looked like these days. Far from correct, but doesn't appear to be a train wreck.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

It's a cosmetically polished turd. Someone put a lot of effort into "restoration" parts, and completely dropped the ball on the details. To start with it's a milk-toast, example of the breed... an Iroc, but with the wheezy lower output LB9. 15" Iroc wheels, 110mph speedometer cluster, etc. Then you have all the replacement parts that were done with complete disregard to originality. From the Walmart carpet on the rear interior panels with obvious cuts to fit the contours, to the 1970's luxo-barge cigarette lighter, to the GIANT bright plated fender washers on the strut mounts. I can understand having to settle for aftermarket seat upholstery, but how do you put the seat belt guides on the wrong sides? It's just DAMN sloppy.

It might make a decent driver, but it's not what I'd expect to see at a collector car auction.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Other than the seat upholstery which is what it is, a sensitive enthusiast could correct all of it's mistakes in a month. Plus it's a stick, hardtop which makes it cool to me.

BTW, this is the 220 hp/290 ft lbs LB9 so it's not too wheezy.

Knocking down that over polishing of the wheels would take some thought, though.

Someone will overpay for it at Mecum because of it's shiny paint, but if I had the space and could get it for like 4 grand, I'd start a project thread on it here and correct all of it's details.

I wish I had the VIN so I could run a carfax on it, I really have a feeling this is the same car.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Son. Of. A. B., I knew it was the same car!!!!!
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...ro-iroc-z.html

navy02ws6

WOW, just noticed the taillights -- BARF! That completely KILLS the outside of the car IMO.

Other things: giant exhaust tips, Prolong sticker on the airbox, totally wrong seat fabric, giant ugly aftermarket alarm, wrong a/c compressor, aftermarket shift ****, hideous chrome cig lighter, non-GM radiator hoses, wrong front grille.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

But why bother? It's a vanilla-red Iroc in name only, with a 4th place drivetrain, in beater condition. It's a car. And I suppose it's a Camaro. But the only thing it has going for it is a glass-jaw T5. With sooooooo many really NEAT thirdgens, why would any enthusiast want to give up a parking space, time, and money for an absolutely boring thirdgen? Two thumbs down.

Friends don't let friends buy single cat LB9 cars with 3.08 gears and 15" wheels when the same exact car was available with 16" wheels, Z-rated tires, dual cats, etc.

Not trying to bash a thirdgen here, but this is an easy pass.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

If it were just a little less bad, I think I would have bought it back then. Maybe if it had faded and trashed factory paint instead of a horrid repaint. Maybe if the driver's seat was firmly attached, (it wasn't). Other than the rotted battery tray, the car was rust free.

I did notice that the '70's chrome lighter is still with the car.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Correct grill, it's just been painted over the lettering. Correct shift ****, someone just peeled off the leather when it went to ****.

Missing AIR valve cover, missing strut covers, throttle return spring from Aunty Em's screen door, aftermarket alternator with hex bolt, aftermarket master cylinder, missing the cap on the prop-valve, missing MAF clamp, aftermarket clamps on the upper rad hose, missing split-loom on heater bypass hose, aftermarket radiator cap, wrong antenna, wrong lugnuts, 4th gen front badge, missing TPI emblem.... Look, I ain't got all day, you get the point.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

At least in the other thread it appeared "honest". Now it gives the impression of an unattractive girl's clever facebook photos that hide her shortcomings in angles and too much make-up. It's a hooker with a heart of gold. With a little help, it could turn it's life around. Just ain't nobody got time to Cap'n Save-a-ho when there are better choices around.

steves

That's funny. I remember that car. It needed a lot.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Just sold for $7K.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

I would have give 4k for it and daily drove it. Yea lots of wrong things but not bad for a 28 yr old car.

steves

Not a bad price even with all the wrong things on it. I am sure 99% of the people have no clue what's incorrect on that car. Just be on the lookout for it on ebay for 15k at some "Hot Rod" dealership with some 17" torque thrusts.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I can see knocking the car for the substandard work done to it, but knocking the car because it lacks some top options is a bit over the top. Doesn't really make sense to me. If the car was more original or the issues were corrected, it would be a nice car.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

$3500 + paint/body + interior + mechanical = maybe break even.

I agree, if it goes to a dealer it'll be priced at $14,995.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Charlie - hard to tell from the pics, but how bad is the paint?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

You know what, my Camaro club is driving the cars but I couldn't make it today. So the short answer is I don't know, but it looks repainted from 5 years ago.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Drew, I love ya man, but I think this car is super cool. I'm just a sucker for hardtops and sticks.

I wouldn't pay 7 for it but I would pay 5 if the paint is decent. Then I'd fix all that stupid stuff and have cooler car.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I wouldn't give anything for that car. Not that I can't appreciate it in some way, but I can't justify giving up a parking spot to own it. I'm actually contemplating sending a couple cars to the junkyard just to free up space in the driveway. The cost difference between an Iroc like this, and one with better options, is negligible.

$7K was about 4k too much... But that's the auction scene for you.

GTA1990

iTrader: (1)

I wonder what the sentiment will be about the price of this in 5 years...

F-body-fan

Interesting car. Assuming it was sold back in 2013 for 3K-3500ish, then the money & time spent to get it "closer" to correct & Mecum auction fees I'm guessing no real money was really made on the it. kind of neat to know the backside story of the car. I really don't mind this iroc for what it is, other than the taillights, seat fabric & the cig lighter.... what bugs me though is when someone passes off a car like this as all original & unmolested & its obviously not. I assume this was at least a real 89 Z though?
A buyer just needs to be aware of what it is. Probably a fun solid driver for the 7K price.

vinny R

I agree, I think for 7k it is a good buy. probably a 10' car. I read the description and I did not see that they advertised it as all original and it sure did not sell for that kind of coin. I don't mind the seats, at least they are from a 3rd gen. The Chrome lighter gotta go!

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

is everyone hating on it because someone advertised it as all original and its not or does everyone just hate this car?

seems like a fair conditioned thirdgen to me, good platform for a nice drive-train swap. I obviously wouldn't of paid anywhere near $7000 for it but it's no rot box. Sure if you're looking for a completely original mint thirdgen I could see why this would turn you off completely but to the majority of people just looking for a thirdgen to build or just enjoy on the weekends, for a fair price this would be a great car.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

It's a California, rust free, LB9, 5 speed, hardtop. I wouldn't pay 7K for it as it sits, but there are times I regret not paying 3K for it 4.5 years ago.

1992 Trans Am

iTrader: (2)

The T5 plus rust free does add value. But I have to agree with Drew. I think it's a cool car but I wouldn't give up a parking space for it. I'd rather have a more unusual third gen since most third gens are still reasonably affordable.

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

Some folks here just decide to hate a car because the seller is a liar or ignorant. Not everybody looks for the same things in a car. I don't want to stir up another one of those discussions that seem to happen often, so it really comes down to this:

If you have interest in a car, look it over well and see if it's actually what you want. If it is, decide what you are willing to pay for it and go from there. If it has issues that you are willing to fix, remember to keep that in mind during your purchase. Not everyone is going to like the same car, so just decide if it's worth it to you.

Jbuchanan

Just for grins, here's what I see wrong......gold lace wheels are missing, no flip up headlight's, aero wing is gone and where in the heck are the Pontiac emblems. Just kidding folks if I could afford another it would be an Iroc.

Vanilla Ice

That's preposterous. My god your opinion is narrow-minded.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

It's far from all original, or a show car. It wasn't well cared for, evidenced by it's condition in the older thread (before resto), and it wasn't meticulously restored, so what is it? A driver? A beater with a shiny paint job? A 20-footer?

This is the History/Originality sub-forum. The car was at a collector car auction. We're not talking about a car at a cruise night. Some of us around here just hold a car to higher standards.

Vanilla Ice

I think there's a car for sale and an auction that put it on it's block. I don't see the problem and I definitely don't understand the hostility toward a car that didn't make any decisions.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I think you're missing the point of the thread, and the discussion. Check out chazman's signature, then check out the mismatched Frankenmaro with nearly 100k miles. Think about it a bit. On one hand you have exceptionally nice thirdgens, on the other you have a polished turd. On the left, museum quality pieces worth preserving, on the right a car you just drive. Do you see where I'm coming from yet?

If you like the car, great. I don't especially like or dislike it, I just don't find it interesting. Fortunately, we all don't need to like the same cars.

Vanilla Ice

...
Holy crap if you can't define your position on this car, I'd hate to see what you say about a car you actually dislike.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Someone was clearly absent the day they passed out the sense of humor.

You seem far too concerned about my opinion.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I under estimated! $15,800.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Chevro...ZaRXKr&vxp=mtr



Maybe I should have scooped it up for $3500 back then.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Looks like they added the correct tail lights, but the chrome lighter survives!

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

I will call it a "family project car". Daily drive it and enjoy it. Part of the fun is to go hunting down all parts needed to bring it back to what it should be. Then drive it to car shows and enjoy the moment with the kids.

scooter

iTrader: (11)

That's what I was thinking. It's not $7,000 car, but it is a VERY nice driver. Not everyone cares about originality, I sure don't. They were OK back in the day, but they can be made MUCH better with modern stuff. I sure don't get why people have a hard on for little stuff like lug nuts, the lighter, a hex head bolt instead of a torx head, stuff like that. NONE of that matters.

F-body-fan

I have original gray valve stem caps on my 3rd gens. So I am one of those dorks......

It's really just about what you enjoy about the cars. Honestly nothing wrong with either side of it imo. But I would want everything as original as possible when a car has low mileage & has that 10K to upper teens price tag. But the best part about these cars is if you enjoy the mods & want to put some miles on them, there are still a lot of decent $4-7K cars out there. Unlike the earlier generation cars, 4-7K might get you a basket case that needs to be trailered & restored. 3rd gens are very unique in that perspective

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Agreed!

bjpotter

Well it seems that the Z28 and IROC moniker has finally become the buzz words for 3rd Gens in the auction world. Between Mecum and Barrett Jackson, 9 of them come up for sale in January. On top of that, there is a 1LE with 500 miles up for sale at Barrett Jackson. It will be interesting to see how well they all do.

ev305tpi

iTrader: (3)

Here is the 1LE being sold by Dennis Collins. He has two early thirdgen Z28s being sold as well:

https://collinsbrosjeep.com/1991-1le...90-miles-only/

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

Speaking of gray caps, Honda Pilots (of all things) of around '10 vintage were sold with gray valve stem caps. If the shade of gray is not exactly the same, it's durn tootin close.

GTA1990

iTrader: (1)

Will go for around to 10k I reckon; if you could bottle nostalgia for the 80's right now...

per the attached pic, is it me or is black stripe not cut for the door / fender gap ???

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Wow, that's terrible.

F-body-fan

Look at the fisheyes in the rocker paint. Yikes.

F-body-fan

Again, this could be & very likely is a nice driver.
But if its priced as something else, we get to pick on it....

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Exactly!


For the asking price, you could get a low mile, minty fresh one.


With that said, I feel like I should have grabbed it for $3K back then. I would have given it a more "sympathetic" freshening.

Jacobaxeman

I like $1,000 beaters. Can hot rod them and not care hehe.