29k Original Miles: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
The 1987 model year wasn’t a banner one for Chevrolet’s Camaro badge, with sales dropping by 29% compared to 1986. However, classics like this 1987 Camaro IROC-Z have found their place among potential buyers seeking their slice of 1980s fun. Its exceptional presentation is hardly surprising considering it has a genuine 29,000 miles showing on its odometer. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the seller listing the IROC-Z here on Craigslist in Apopka, Florida. It could be yours for $29,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this gem.
Chevrolet adopted an evolutionary approach to styling changes in 1987 for its Third Generation Camaro range. The most obvious was the company’s decision to relocate the high-mounted stop light to the spoiler. Otherwise, it was generally “business as usual” with its pony car range. The seller describes this IROC-Z’s paint shade as Bright Red, although the photos seem to indicate that it actually wears Code 74 Dark Red Metallic. I am happy to be corrected if I’m wrong, but I came to the conclusion by comparing the supplied exterior shots with copies of Chevrolet’s original Paint Charts. The car started its life in Canada before finding its way to its current location. It appears to have never seen adverse weather extremes because the paint looks virtually perfect, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and the decals are crisp and clean. The underside shots continue the positive news, with the floors some of the cleanest I have seen from any classic of this vintage. The wheels are free from marks and physical damage, and the glass is excellent.
Classics from the 1980s developed a reputation for deteriorating interior trim. Cloth upholstered surfaces would often wear or become faded, while plastic can crumble and crack. However, this Camaro has avoided those pitfalls. Its Gray cloth is in exceptional condition, and even the prone front seat’s outer edges look excellent. The pale carpet is spotless, and there are no visible dash or console cracks. Purists will appreciate the lack of aftermarket additions, reveling in an interior featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, a power hatch release, cruise control, the auto-dimming mirror, an overhead console, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The biggest change for the 1987 Camro range was reserved for the IROC-Z variant. Chevrolet introduced the L98 version of the 350ci V8 engine, and this car’s original owner ticked that box on their Order Form. The small-block brought 225hp and 330 ft/lbs of torque to the table but was only available with a four-speed automatic transmission, a 3.27 limited-slip rear end, and four-wheel disc brakes. Performance was considered pretty respectable at the time, with the ¼-mile journey taking 14.9 seconds, while keeping the pedal to the metal would reward the driver with a top speed of 148mph. It appears that this Camaro is mechanically original, apart from the installation of a Cat-back Flowmaster exhaust. Because it is a Canada-delivered classic, its odometer shows 48,00 kilometers. This converts to around 29,000 miles, and if verifiable, that figure is well below average. The seller provides no information regarding how the IROC runs or drives, but considering the car’s overall condition, I would expect nothing but positive news.
The classic market has shown some recent volatility, and the 1987 Camaro IROC-Z hasn’t been immune from the negative effects of this action. Values have dropped significantly in the last year, and it is unclear whether that trend will ease or potentially reverse. However, the seller’s price for our feature car looks quite competitive, especially if future values do climb. If the seller’s claims are verifiable, this survivor is worth more than a passing glance.
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now22 hours$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now23 hours$5,500
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now1 days$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now4 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now5 days$275
Comments
Anybody out there replaced fuel pump in one these,I have….
Too many, a real PITA! I still love these, though. Especially this one, no T-tops! A little pricey, though.
I have changed a few fuel pumps. Dropping the fuel tank is a pain
If I recall, you only have to remove or disconnect the wheels/tires, rear axle, shocks, springs, intermediate pipe, muffler, tailpipes, heatshields, and fuel tank. A hand grenade would cause less mess.
My older brothers friend bought one like this, same color combination, brand new in 87. He really wanted a 5 speed, but didnt want the 305, so he got the 350 auto. It was very quick in its day. Unfortunately it was stolen about a year after he bought it, it was recovered but if memory serves me correctly it was up on blocks they stole what they could and the car was damaged but not totalled. When he got it back it wasnt the same, he wound up just trading it in. I felt bad for him, he really liked it.
Similar story, I bought a stolen recovery ‘87 Firebird Formula missing the interior and wheels. Passenger door lock punched, and dents on the right side rocker from being moved by a forklift. After all body and paintwork turned out to be a looker. 350 tpi ran pretty good for 240hp. Installed subframe connectors because body flex on these was terrible.(even on a non t top car).
In 87′, The 5.7 350 had 225HP. I had it in my 87 IROC.
Florida car, beware of unreported flood damage and electrical ghost issues.
These were the response to the latest Mustang of the day. Competition improves the breed, so they say. Not the fastest car ever but 14-second quarter miles are bona fide muscle car territory.
This generated a lot of excitement because it was the first 350 F body since ’81, and that version was a heavy smog burned slug. So this was really the fastest Camaro since the early ’70s, and there was a lot of hype.
They teased it with a prototype that was supposed to make it to production in mid ’86 as a non air conditioned performance model.. But that never happened and it was a regular production option for 1987.
Also for ’87, Ford came out with the 225 horsepower 5.0 and restyled GT, and then of course Pontiac got the Formula. It was a pretty exciting year.
Nice car, but are these really worth 30K now?
Canadian cars being brought into the U.S. were considered “gray market vehicles” as they had no warranty coverage and their emissions system wouldn’t meet the standards in some states. At the dealership, we saw several and it was never a pleasant experience for the owners who were suckered into buying them by less than scrupulous dealers. We had one that suffered a costly transmission failure; when a vehicle history report (which most dealers run before performing warranty repairs on any vehicle) showed no U.S. warranty, the young couple who bought it were crestfallen. The car sat at our shop for months while they hired an attorney and, of course, continued to make payments on a car they couldn’t use. These things are very much “buyer beware.”
I have my dad’s 85 IROC he bought brand new from the dealer. Love it. It’s not a slug, either. V8, 305 TPI, automatic. Black. T tops. It’s all original, and a head turner. Get a lot of looks and nice cars every weekend I take her out. I’ve left rubber about every intersection in town. FUN AS HELL.
SUPER NICE CAR!! Nice color too! These have a special place in my heart. Wow I sound like a broken record. My friend had a red with grey int, grey wheels, t top 87 tuned port 5 speed. He bought it used in high school in 1989 for 15k. He rear ended a family at a red light doing 40mph and blew a .32 at 10 am in the morning. His younger brother had a white with gold rims/stickers tan int t top 86 305 tuned port auto. Dereck his older brother who totaled the red iroc above tried to knock down an oak tree with this one. He flipped the car in the neighbors front yard across the street from his house. Before all that he also totaled his first car a 77 blk/gold Trans am with the shaker hood scoop an an olds 403 with auto trans. That poor guy got like 7 DUI’s I felt so bad for him because his dad died in 91 and he went down hill. I sold the totaled red iroc for him in 2005ish to a guy who owns a junkyard and the car only had 66K miles on it. I told him the mileage is accurate because his license been suspended since high school. It also had a new gm crate motor in it with 3k miles on it because he got his oil changed at a jiffy lube. When he pulled out on the main rd to leave the oil filter fell off and it blew the motor. Wow I got some stories 100% true I swear on my eyes.
Had an `85 IROC-Z. Went thru 5 AC compressors. When the car was towed-in
to the dealership for repair…after I picked it up, driving away the car overheated( when I checked the rad…it was empty! ( when I asked why the mechanic didn’t top-up the rad… I was told,“ Well, if it’s not on the work order… we don’t do it.”)1 pollution pump. And, the bolt fell out of the support strut that runs from the side of the tranny to the rear end.