“Make the earth move.”
In 1985, Chevrolet kicked the third-generation Camaro up a notch (or more) with the release of the IROC-Z, inspired by the International Race Of Champions race series. The IROC-Z was an option package (B4Z) for the Z28 and cost $659 in addition to the Z28‘s $11,281 base price.
Suspension upgrades specific to the IROC-Z included Delco/Bilstein shock absorbers for the rear wheels and 16-inch wheels all around with Goodyear Eagle GT P245/50VR16 tires—large for the day and a size still readily available.
The IROC-Z also included louvered hood inserts and more aggressive ground effects and spoilers than the Z28. Finally, it was lowered half an inch compared to the Z28.
Three engines were available in 1985 for the IROC-Z, all sized at 5.0 liter/305 ci: standard was the LG4 carburetted motor at 155 bhp. The optional engines available depended on transmission—if you chose the five-speed manual, you could get the High Output carburetted L69 with 190 bhp ($680 and not available on the garden variety Z28) while if you went with the four-speed automatic ($425), you could choose the Tuned Port Injection LB9 at 215 bhp ($695).
Performance with the LB9 was impressive—Motor Trend recorded a 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds. If you cared (and I think most of the target market did not), mileage wasn’t great: the EPA ratings of the day were 16 city/22 highway for the LG4, 15/24 for the L69, and 16/22 for the LB9. With a 16.1-gallon gas tank, the proud new owner of an IROC-Z could expect a range of 250 to 275 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
Standard equipment on all versions of the Z28 included Sport mirrors, rack and pinion steering, power front disk/rear drum brakes, reclining front bucket seats, a folding rear seat, and an AM radio with dual front speakers.
Options & Production Numbers
Options included four-wheel disk brakes ($179), Custom cloth front bucket seats ($359), a six-way power driver’s seat ($225), air conditioning ($750), Comfortilt steering wheel ($115), power door lock system ($130), power windows ($195), electronic speed control with resume speed ($175), and a rear window wiper and washer ($125). A range of stereos was offered up to an electronically tuned AM/FM stereo radio with seek and scan, a cassette tape player, a clock, and a graphic equalizer ($469).
Chevrolet sold 21,177 IROC-Z versions out of 68,199 Z28s in the 1985 model year, marking an impressive debut. One year later, the IROC-Z would account for 56% of Z28 sales, and in 1988, Chevrolet would phase out the Z28 in favor of the IROC-Z.
The View From 2025
According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1985 IROC-Z with the top-of-the-line TPI motor and t-tops in #1/Concours condition is $52,500, with a far more normal #3/Good condition version going for $20,200. IROC-Zs regularly appear in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and at online auctions such as Bring a Trailer that cater to the eighties car market. As I update this blog entry in June 2025, there’s a Yellow 1985 IROC-Z with 66,000 miles for sale on Hemmings, asking $29,500.
Please make mine Red, with the optional and expensive when new ($846) t-tops. I know they often leak, but I like the look.
Other third-generation Camaro hatchback coupes I have written about include the 1982 Z28 Indy 500 Commemorative Edition, the 1984 Sport Coupe, and the 1986 Berlinetta. I have yet to write about any of the 1987 through 1989 Camaro convertibles.
Last updated June 2025.
Eighties Cars 