The IROC-Z Camaro Z28 was a Masterstroke in the 1980s Pony Car Wars
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- Full review and test drive of a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
Review by Bill of Curious Cars
Vehicle from private collection, and soon to be sold on Bring a Trailer.
Prior reviews referenced in this video:
The IROC-Z project:
• The IROC-Z Project, or...
The Starship Camaro:
• The Starship Camaro - ...
1984 Camaro Z28
• When GM Got The Camaro...
1992 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T:
• The Forgotten 1992 Dod...
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Thank you for bringing us these 80’s gems, I graduated high school in ‘89. If you had an IROC, 5.0 Mustang, Trans Am or Grand National you were an instant legend. These cars bring back great memories for me, please keep ‘em coming👍🏻
Graduated in 94. Since about 89. If I saw somebody young driving with 5 speed with some flowmasters especially the 5.0 fox. It was a little bit of envy going on. With a sprinkling of hate. I would charge them $5 more that quarter bag of Reggie. I mean, who do they think they are! Having nice things!
I graduated in 1989 with a 4speed 383 Plymouth Roadrunner…I was a legend. These were pretty fucking cool though!
Graduated in 1991. Drove a 1975 Lincoln town coupe with cut springs
We were too poor when I was growing up to afford anything like this but when I became an adult I could afford cars like this. Then I went on to have 3 of them. 2010 SS, 2013 ZL1, 2018 ZL1
Can’t understand why any decent person would want to watch this channel, unless you want to be excellently informed, thoroughly entertained, and need to laugh yourself silly. All while seeing cool cars. 😊
Couldn’t agree more! This is my favorite channel on the YouTOOBs
I keep trying to get Bill to review my Citroën SM and Isuzu Piazza (JDM Impulse). Old fat drunk bastard hasn’t taken my offer yet. God Bless Him. Hopefully the cigarettes don’t take him out before he can get around to it.
Damn, that’s a very nice compliment. Thank you.
You said it! Bill needs his own tv show
@@GloucesterODaugherty He seems camera-shy.
Great review of this classic gem. My 89 IROC went 330,000 miles with only minor issues (normal things like water pump, alternator, etc.) that needed replacing. Best car I ever owned.
Nice one Bill my cousin in New York was the proud owner of one during his life and he bought it with his paper round money that he earned from his teenage years. His pride and joy until he passed away at a young age of 40....
What a shame he passed so young, but it's good he got to enjoy his youth in an IROC-Z.
You're right, these were pretty exciting cars back in the day. I was one of the first IROC owners back in the spring of 85 in the Chicago western burbs. The 305 TPI motor made beautiful music: big intake roar and deep, resonant exhaust note. The Gatorback Goodyears tram-lined something fierce and the brakes pulled a bit to one side. Also, the trans was super clunky around town due to the lock-up converter. A Chevy recall eventually fixed that. At low to mid-range speeds the motor did a fair imitation of a big block due to the abundant low-end torque of the injected motor. A few days after new car delivery we drove the IROC to Florida, driving through GA at high rates of speed. Going through downtown Atlanta, the car was making noises like a dishwasher. I checked the trans fluid and it didn't even register on the dipstick. Great new-car prepping by the Glendale heights dealer. We topped off the trans fluid and completed the round trip ok, with no trans leaks or further fluid issues. Top speed later observed, once I had a GM over the counter 140 mph speedometer installed, was a touch over 140.
I had a 1985 Camaro z28 with the LB9 engine. It was the 305 tpi. It was white with gray z28 ground effects. I loved the iroc z look that I turned it into a iroc z. I bought 4 iroc wheels and tires and the iroc z quicker ratio steering box. This was back in 1993-94. It was a good car. Then in 1995 I traded it in for 1988 firebird formula 350 man what a car. I loved those f-bodies.
Bought a brand new 1987 IROC 5.7 t-tops. Loved that car. So did the chicks. Loved the 80's!!
Oh the chicks loved it you had one you were king !
that was the car
Bill's sighs are pure oxygen for me
Me too. Hilarious 😂
I had a big poster of a blue IROC on my dormroom from 1987 to 1990. This was to remind me that if i studied hard, i could get a good job and buy one. I graduated in 92 and bought a dark green t top Trans Am, which i still own and drive. After all this time, i still see this design as absolute perfection.
1985 is peak 80's. Just look at the amazing films released that year.
Thank you so much, Bill! Always looking forward to your videos. You know, the third gen Camaro has been my poster car since childhood. Although I ended up riding a bicycle the Camaro remains bringing me memories of endless optimism.
Damn Bill, beautiful! I am so glad I found an 83 with zero rust that now has a LQ9 LS Too much fun! Drives like a go-cart.
I graduated in 1985. I remember a couple of “rich kids” in high school having one.
I do like the way you called them “cigarettes”🤣 as far as cruising around smoking on a Saturday night!😁
Wanted one of these in the worst way back then. Truly a great milestone in the ponycar wars. Used to drool over the red '87 IROC a lady that I worked with back in the day would drive to work some days. It was her husband's and I would think what a lucky dog to own one of these. Truly a modern man's car back in those days!
Here in Arizona the Canadians are arriving early.
I’m coming next week 😂
We want to leave Canada ASAP
The resturant's all better hide the salt and pepper shakers or they be gone!!! lol
Great video, Bill! I’ve seen you drive many, much more expensive rides without the true joy and nostalgia you had driving this one! That was fun to see. We could feel the passion and I get it being a Gen X myself and remembering them all over the road back in the day!
I found myself chain smoking while listening to some Def Leppard and wishing I had enough hair on top to attempt a mullet! 😂
Thanks, Bill, that was awesome!
Yes sir great comment
You will have your mullet one day Tiger 🐅
Yeah man, it really is hard to understate just how many 3rd gen Camaros were out in the world back then. They were everywhere. From the women driving the betlinettas and RS packages all the way up to the IROC’s, they’re seemed to be a model geared toward everyone and the price was reasonable enough for everyday folks to get their hands on one. It’s amazing how few are left considering how many used to be around. If I see one now, I practically stop what I’m doing and just stare till it’s out of sight. I miss them a lot. And never got one myself! I had a 78 Camaro as my first car. Gen 2s were cool but I was a kid of the late 80s and wanted a 3rd gen!
Bill I always enjoy your videos and your unique sense of humor and knowledge about cars. You're the type of guy I'd talk about cars with and drink with while doing so.
It's as bad as it sounds and glad it was stick....😎
Sweet IROC! I remember seeing the third generation Camaro for the first time in '82 when I was 13. I still like the look of these cars.
Close to the same age for me. It blew me away.
I was 12 in 1982 and had an inner battle with the Camaro and 5.0 Mustang
The early IROC’s didn’t come standard with the tuned port engine. It was a common option but the standard engine was the 305 4 bbl.
Bill, I don't care how many videos you do on 3rd gens, I will always watch them!
Hearing Bill's voice relaxes me. I can relate we're about the same age.
Fun fact , IROC stands for "I ride On Credit"
I Reek Of Cologne
I so relate to that evil laugh under full throttle. We could solve all of the problems with our youth by letting these phone jockey kids experience an IROC just one time. My apologies to the 1987 hapless car salesman that allowed me a test drive against all of his better judgement. Yes pal, I lied, sorry. My dad wasn't rich and even if he was, especially if he was, he would never buy me an IROC.
Born in 85 Bill, dad is a GM guy through and through... he and mom are visiting for Canadian Thanksgiving, and he had a stroke mid Sep. All good now, but I'm gonna show this to him tomorrow for sure. Much appreciated. -G & Z in the driveway here, dad's 2nd favourite was always Datsun. ;-)
29 years ago I drag raced my 85 Iroc had a 400 small block Dsrt aluminum heads 410 rear gear car did a 12.66 in street form, drove it 100 miles to the track made 6 passes and drove it 100 miles back home there was a stock one at the track those stock ones were pretty slow doing a paultry 15 5 in the quarter mile.
I hope one day you do a first gen scirroco. That was my baby back then.
Great car. So much fun to drive with the reclined seating position.
First little car to do 10 sec 0 to 60.
Thank you, Bill!
Ditto! I had a 1980 Scirocco that I bought from a guy when I was stationed in Germany. What beautiful little car. I ended up dropping a newer 1.8 liter engine in it after the 1.6 died. It could take a standard 944 off the light. 😊
Hey Bill, really enjoy your videos every time and I'm always looking forward to new posts! BTW, just a quick FYI- I noticed that the Temp Gauge was not ticking up from its zero position as you were well into your drive. Looks like it's not working- you should have it checked out as keeping these cars cool was always an issue. I should know- I owned two f-body cars back in the 80's and the cooling was something that always needed attention. Thanks again for the content Bill! Keep up the great work 😉👍
Like any good car salesman, Bill will never point out any deficiencies in any car he's reviewing.
@@MarinCipollinahater
we had a 87 in Dark Red metallic, gold wheels. bought new in Dallas back then, stayed all night in Dallas, then next morning woke up to roads covered in ice and snow. had to drive back to Oklahoma like 40mph cus it was so slick, a real bummer! but at least the car got broke in gently over the following week. then when all thawed out, it was IROC time! and yep, me and friends used it to go to all the Rock concerts, mostly in the Dallas, TX area.. Texas Jam, etc. i'd give anything to get that car back! ☮
At "Rat Round and Round" I hit pause and watched the video, so fitting!
Them days 1 had a 1976 trans am 455 4 barrel with the big bird on the hood & a real hood scoop. I was 18 in 1985. Them were the days great times
Hi Bill. 👋 My favorite F body vehicle from 80s.
I had an 86 IROC (5.0) and then an 89 (5.7) that I factory ordered in burgundy red. I loved that car! I drove it alot, and when I sold it in 2005ish, it was in excellent condition. I took care of that baby. I miss those days.....sigh
My much older cousin had a 5-speed red IROC, and he took me for a ride in it when I was 14-15yo. I was more interested in the Japanese stuff during that time, with the turbos and variable valve timing tricks. But I still remember the raw feeling of it during the ride, with the growl of the engine and hard shifting transmission. He got on it a few times for me, and I didn't even ask him to. LOL.
Hey Bill, glad to see you and this is one of my favorite cars of all time 🙋🏻♂️
Me too - love these cars.
I lived by a bowling alley in the 80s and 90s and there was 3 guys that had these in all different colors. 1 guy even had 2 of them. My buddies mom had a non Iroc, manual 4 cylinder model she bought new. It actually wasn't as bad as it sounds since it was stick.
Iron Duke 4cyl was an absolute DOG of an engine, and was woefully inadequate for the car. Not even a manual transmission helps.
@@MarinCipollina Lol, we were 15 yrs old & it was buddies moms cars, chill out. I wouldn't own it, but all I know is it was reliable, it wouldn't die and it got good gas mileage on the highway for the lady.
@@R.J.1 Nothing personal.. I get it.. But I was selling new Pontiacs that era, and the dealership I worked for, the Monterey Park California Pontiac dealership just loaded up on those 4 banger Firebirds.. Talk about a tough sale !! sheesh !!
@@MarinCipollina I understand, I don't take it personal because it wasn't my car. Car is only noteworthy to me for I learned to drive a manual on it. Indeed all 95hp of the iron duke is ridiculous but everything was bogged down due to SMOG. Surely a tough sale, but it was likely in F Body cars to be marked to women and teens perhaps. Talk about "sheesh", the big block in my 90 454ss truck only made 220hp due to SMOG.
@@R.J.1 On the other hand, they sold every 2.8 liter V6 they got in inventory pretty quickly.. At least the V6 could hold its own, and was respectable.. Not the fire breathing mighty V8 of the Trans Am, but an engine that was very easy to live with.. I also had a 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta as a demo.. The "Starship" Camaro was very cool, and it also had the 2.8 liter V6.
It is the time of year when you get below 40 and i had ice on the truck window this morning.
You give the most realistic reviews on RUclips with all of the period recollection and all.
Your review was spot on with these cars. You definetly know them. The hard shift set up from the factory on these '85 TPI cars was problematic for most owners. I worked at a Chevrolet dealer in the late '80's and had a discussion with our transmission tech. He was telling me people were bringing these cars in wanting the shifts "softened up". He said OK but you're gonna wear your transmission out! This yellow IROC should bring BIG $$$. A true unicorn, low mile, rare color and a hardtop. I wish you all the best with this one!
My aunt let me drive her IROC when I was ten! First car I drove!
Ah, the pleasures of "burying the needle" on an 80s-era speedometer (which happened early-and-often). Great little overview, Bill.
Forgot about required sand bags un back for traction in snow.
in1996 my wife needed a daily as her 84 mustang gt was tired. we found a fresh tradein 88iroc. 5.7, slicktop, LOADED, and i mean loaded. she loved it. her coworkers were the kool kids , talking about i got a 2.0, i got a 2.5 and the badass with a 3.8 Pontiac gp. so kittie, what's your new car have? 5.7. nahhh, its a 5.0, they all are. blah blah blah.
oh yeah? I'll show you little punks.
on her way out of work, she started it up, and popped the hood. boys looked, poked, prodded, etc. she verified operating temp. she proceeded to do the best burnout of all time. measured at over 200 feet, WELL into 2nd gear. glorious. just celebrated 28year anniversary with her.
We are all so glad your into yourself ,,,I had a 1986 350 cu in tune port injected. Drove like a rocket back in 1990
Good evening Bill from Ron in a freezing cold and wet Manchester. What what a fantastic car to review
Beautiful Car Bill. Bill PLEASE Consider Running for President. WE NEED YOU.... !!!!
My dad owned a chevy dealership. I got to occasionally drive an iroc to football games. Man it was cool
The color is choice, great overview and review
Appreciate that, thank you.
Hey Bill, I'm glad that the weather is a little more bearable, you can't be too careful though so keep up with the coronavirus whiskey!!!
This IROC Z is stunning!! Several of my friends refer to this yellow color as California Blonde!!! Have a great weekend!!! 🥃
I had a 88 IRock Z 28 loved it
A friend of mine had a 1le with no AC or radio. Black. It was like driving around in a pizza oven. But it was very quick and cornered absolutely flat.
Nothing helps you wind down after a long day, than a new Bill vid. Parent’s (moms car) had a black 85 Z28 w/ t-tops and the 4 barrel H.O., with their other daily driver being my dad’s 78 Z28 w/ the 350 and exact same black paint scheme as their 85, plus that awesome center hood scoop.
Love these Gen 3 Camaros. This is a great find. Thanks Bill for another great video
I flip flopped between the Mustang and Camaro in the 80/90's several times. 84 Camaro Berlinetta -> 85 Mustang GT -> 88 5.7 Iroc Camaro -> 92 Mustang 5.0 LX -> 97 Camaro 30th Anniversary. Never could decide which I liked more. But looking back, it was my 85 Mustang GT with the 5 speed which I enjoyed the most (so many speeding tickets).
I think that was the last year of the carburetion? Oddly enough that is the Mustang that converted me from a Ford hater to a Ford lover - my best friend's friend had a red 85 5-speed and I fell in love at first drive... although it kind of scared me to death! LOL. I was 16 years old
@@lancemannion4113until FI mod know how caught up, 85 was the epitome of the best base to work with
@@lesliehorwinkleyeah I believe the 86 was basically the same car with fuel injection. I think the 86 might have been rated for another 10 horsepower because of it or something. I would love to have a clean example of either one
@@lancemannion4113 '86 was a one off yr of FI for Mustang as it was speed derived fuel flow vs much improved mass air that came afterwards. I bought an 87 after having an 82. That was a big 5 yr. jump in tech. I had modded the 82 but 87 was stock about equal.
Modernity felt like the moment of the times. Yes indeed, well said Bill. I'm going to make a fortune with these fortune cookie gems. That's the best looking Camero of that body style I've ever seen. That canary yellow is edible.
That’s a much better lookin car than the Camaro is today in my opinion. I had a 1990 RS and loved it
"I don't think is just the narcotics and whiskey" 💀
Btw, that camaro is the best kind of time capsule.
never thought i'd ever say "wow, sure miss that 3rd gen Fbody open door buzzer sound"
Had a 82 z28 with the v8 and a hurst 4 speed a buddy of mine put in !! Had the t tops and power seats and windows! Used to get stopped alot by the cops for minor things but i finally found out it was because they would get stolen alot and they were just checking it out!! Ended up selling it to a young kid, found out he was a pot dealer!!
Hey Bill, good video! I chuckle at the commentary about the neighborhood . What i found odd about this car is - it has an 85mph speedo but a 5500 rpm which is what we normally use to identify an IROC with a 5.7L (5.0 normally have the 5k rpm - 5.7L have 5500) but who knows lol. A absolute beauty of a car - nice and clean!
I grew up around Camaro's and we had an 85 Z28 Brown and silver bottom with the recaro option seats and I remember seeing this exact color as my first IROC, being on the doorstep of getting my learners as well at that time, not a surprise how i ended up starting my own years later. - Mark
Man, I honestly don’t know what I’d pick as my dream childhood classic - this IROC or a C4 Vette. The choice would be excruciating.
I am from Germany, and we dont had those Cars here in Germany. Only one or two Persons who imported those Cars by their own.
When i was a little Child 1990 i had a little Matchbox Car of this IROC Z, and i loved it. It was my Favorite Car. Still today when i see the Hood i remember that Matchbox Car.
When I moved to Gainesville Florida (Home of UF) in '87 every fraternity had at least one of these parked next to it. Usually with a Nissan 300 along side.
Every sorority had the mandatory VW Rabbit convertible.
So many people in the mid- to late 1980s just had to have an IROC-Z. Cool era. I already had a 1979 Trans Am, so I celebrated alongside.
This was the beginning of the end of American muscle cars. What a great idea putting the engine under the dash.
My buddy got one in the early 90’s when we were in high school. I want to say it was an 89. I no car guy so don’t quote me. I think it was a 350 with some kind of hood scoop. It was bright red. It was a hot looking car even for something that was a few years old. He had it about a month or 2 when he was driving in rain one night he spun out, hit a building, the accelerator stuck and he peeled back out and finally went through the front of a paint store where it finally came to rest. 😂 Beautiful car…didn’t last long. I think it happened in either 94 or 95 I can’t remember exactly.
My cousin still has the IROC her parent's bought her for graduating medical school, she had wealthy parents, lol. I bought a 1LE as soon as I found out they were the hot ticket back in the day. Traded that in for a '92 SLP Firehawk that I still have, for how long is unknown. A fella offered an even swap for his ZR-1 over the summer and I've always wanted a Vette.
We love Bill, from the UK 👍
LMAO! "Looking in the back, where you'd be sitting if you were low on the totem pole heading to the Winger concert..."
I sure miss my 1987 IROC-Z, owned it for 10 years, and have regretted selling it ever since. Mine was black over grey cloth, with grey/blue stripes, with the 305 TPI and auto transmission. Not a rocket ship, but it handled extremely well and was a great highway cruiser. I had a lot of fun with that car, and when I sold it the engine, transmission and rear end were all very tired. I should have kept it, put in a new/refreshed power train, and I would most likely still have it. Just a great car. Enjoyed the video.
I had an 89 Trans Am GTA. Two of em actually. Bitchin car. And one step up from the mullet Z-28 IROC guys 😂
Come drive my 1LE Bill!!!
I had one. With the big hatchback, it was very flexible. I carried a washing machine home.
With the big hatch, T-roof, and 300 HP, it was very flexible in corners too.
I love the 80s. Thanks for this video Bill. It makes me happy to watch this. Even tho my car at that time was a 944 I always loved the iroc especially the 85 as I had the original 84 z before I got the 944. It brings back the endorphin rich feeling of those times. Thanks Bill
Have had 3. One that is odd was my 85 5.0 h.o iroc. Can't really find info on this other than Pontiac had same thing with trans am. Wish I still had that one but lost out when I got t boned. I now have a heavily modded 87 5 speed iroc. I've done phantom conversion to SS. Weird that 3rd gen is only without a factory SS version
Big thumbs up for the dead milkman reference.
The weather talk reminds me of why I miss Florida, Bill. LOL
I sold these back in 85-86, as a salesman the top dogs got to drive the Z-28 , unfortunately l only got to the Berlinetta level 😆. I loved driving these from the back lot or on demos.
I purchased a new 1987 IROC with one of the first 350's (5.7 liter) in it. T Tops, leather interior. I traded in a 84 T-Type in on it. I actually had a deposit on a new 1987 Grand National but changed my mind in favor of the Z. My work car was a 1978 gold special edition Trans Am. Those were the days!
I ordered one w/5.7 (350) in late October of '86 .... it got delivered in March of 1987. It was built at the GM Norwood, OH plant. Loaded to the gills, Inc the rear window louvers which were a $210 option back then.
I had it until 2005, when I sold it with 20,200 original miles. It msrp'd at $19,993 back then.
Living in New Zealand where the Rainbow Worrier was sunk I have my own opinions on the French.
But when I was 15 we were allowed to get a full license and buy whatever we wanted.However the coolest car was a 1600cc Ford Escort Sport with probably 60 hp.The kids in the US in the early 80's were our idols now not so much.
Miss my 88. The best factory wheels ever made. What I loved most about these Camaros was the flat top dashboard lol
We Canadians love our Zed-28's, even the backseat was better than taking the TTC.
Had an 85...red/red interior with everything on it!
God I loved that car!
"Everything feels hard at my age." Does it? Good for you, Bill!;)
I had a brand new Bright blue Metallic TPI in 85. Great great car. Have to change out the original PROM or your going to get a lot of "chuggle". Great Video!!!!
Appreciate the Focus and Simpliciuty of the subject you are showing. Great car the IROC Z also agreat car to restomod
had this model in this color with T-tops and louvers in the back. LOVED it
Beautiful, fun car. Great job on the windshield.
Just on time, I’ve had this random fix for an I-Roc, I’m more so a mid-late 90s Benz or vette guy…. But something about these are special, and I remember my pops had one. Which I think inadvertently made me such a car junkie so this may be on my grail list
Very cool video! Brought me back to my 1979 Camaro in yellow as well. I always envious of the rich kids in high school that had the IROC.
Back in the day these cars looked more like race cars / nascars more than any others. Just so cool to be in one or own one , undeniably very fun cars , no matter which engine, they were good cars
OMG! I forgot they called Kickers Stillwater Design. That really makes me feel old. I graduated in 1985. LOL
War games with Matthew Broderick....
That one was killing me.
@curiouscars9282 yah I'm pretty certain you weren't talking about Burger King...
I love how the doors go almost to the rear wheels. If it had less overhangs, it would be even cooler.
The overhangs are pretty impressive. Lots of real estate in front and back of the wheels.
Damn, they do! I never noticed. I'd love to have a blue IROC, if you remember them, I can't think of the factory color name.
Absolutely not! I hate how the wheels have to be pushed to the absolute corners of modern vehicles. It makes the front end look squashed! People probably got that idea from Top Gear.
@@DigitalGTAI'm with you. I own a 74 Charger. Talk about overhang....😎....but she wears it well.
The ideal overhang situation is short front overhang (with wheels pushed forward from the windshield) and long rear overhang.
Examples of this include most 60’s American cars as well as 80’s-2000’s BMW’s
Most 80’s to Modern cars tend to be the opposite with huge front overhangs and stubby rears. The proportions of wheelbarrows
I have a 1989 IROC that I bought new. I still love this car. It carrys a built LS7. I love when the newer Camaros turn up their noses and then get slapped down.
Loved this episode- in my garage sits my 2nd owner Arctic White/ red interior 1988 117K (original) miles - mint condition- added a MTX 15” subwoofer kit in rear (back in 1992) and the full black out kit for headlight/taillight. Otherwise all factory. 🙌
Thanks for this one, Bill ! I had one of these as a demo back in the day.. Fun times, and yes, peak '80s. Take care !
👏🏽👏🏽Sir u crack me up every dam time you do a review, u could review a gocart & im positive I would be thoroughly entertained 😂
This is one I’m of my bucket list cars the year I graduated 👍🏽
Not just the narcotics and whisky! (My favorite part of the entire upload ) bill I love your pure honesty and effortless comedy ! Not to mention the laser sharp automotive knowledge…
I have a 86 I roc with 20,000 miles on it. I got brand new in 86 and it's my baby
Dead Milkmen reference too? Nice! Now I gotta drive to the Bahamas