Even the fastest car in the world will lose the race if its driver isn’t skilled. In motorsports, a lot of emphasis is placed on making a car or truck faster or better-handling than its competition. But it’s important to not forget the most important component of any race car: Its driver.
What if a race existed that allowed drivers to compete with one another in identical vehicles, therefore making driver skill the most critical determining factor in winning a trophy? Such a race did exist, and it was called IROC, an acronym that stands for the International Race of Champions. And from 1975 through 1989, all IROC races were held using Chevrolet Camaros.
The Pick of the Day is a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z/28 that’s equipped in a trim level named specifically after that race. A private seller in Crown Point, Indiana has listed in ClassicCars.com a black-on-tan IROC convertible just under 90,000 miles on the odometer, stating that the car is in good “driver condition” after being owned by the same individual for more than three decades.
The Z/28 IROC launched in 1985, three years into the third-generation Camaro body style. Sitting at the top of the trim-level hierarchy, the IROC package brought with it larger-diameter wheels, fog lamps, body/aero enhancements, and of course special graphics to set it apart from its peers.
The Camaro is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 rated at 215 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The seller states that the engine has a “mean growl,” and that the car is fast enough to keep the driver’s attention on the road. The speedometer goes up to 145 miles per hour.
Mechanically, this Camaro is said to be in good condition, and just three minor paint chips mentioned. The air conditioning blows cold, the tires have plenty of tread, and the stereo works as it should. Included in the photo gallery are photos of the owner’s manuals and details of the interior.
While the IROC series of races ended after 2006 (at the time, using Pontiac Trans Ams), the Camaro IROC lives on as a reminder of those days in the 1980s. This IROC looks to be a nice surviving example, and with nice fall weather now upon us, convertibles are the way to go.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
What’s the asking price?
Car offered at $15,800 ( OBO)