Offered for sale is an entirely original, 3k (yes, only 3,042) original mile, one owner 1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Convertible with the TPI (tuned port injection) LB9 5.0L engine, automatic transmission and finished in iconic red over a black and grey interior. Sold new by Pete Johnston Chevrolet of Paso Robles, CA to a Santa Barbara based doctor, the IROC-Z was part of an impressive 20+ car collection and was always used sparingly and kept up.
We’ve been commissioned to slowly sell off parts of that collection, and while we specialize in European sports and special interest cars, I can say that this incredible IROC-Z is representative of both the good doctor’s passion for the Chevrolet brand and the care he provided the cars in his collection.
The red paint is entirely original and absolutely gorgeous, marred only by a handful of minor imperfections, none of which are significant enough to really appear in the photographs. The car has never been in an accident and the body is laser straight throughout, retaining factor correct panel fits and gaps. All of the glass and trim is in excellent condition, the original soft-top shows only negligible wear and the original special wheels are flawless and wrapped in brand-new BF Goodrich tires. The car’s black and grey interior is in virtually showroom condition, the seats, carpets and interior panels showing only the exceedingly limited wear typical of a collector quality example that’s hardly been broken in.
Always kept serviced despite its limited use, the Camaro is in excellent mechanical shape. Upon receiving it, we had our mechanic go through everything to ensure that it was in turn-key condition, including (but not limited to): cleaning the brake master cylinder, bleeding the system, and replacing the fluid, installing new hood struts, replacing a faulty fuel injection control unit, replacing the drive belts and main serpentine belt and replacing the thermostat.
The IROC-Z is a thrill from behind the wheel, the LB9 5.0L 305ci V8 starting effortlessly, emitting a satisfying rumble out of the dual exhaust pipes at idle, and pulling with incredible force through each of the gears. The car drives and brakes straight, ride quality is excellent and the handling is far better than many of the Camaro’s competitors of the era.
There’ve been tons of articles lately about the dramatic increase in the collectability (and value) of IROC-Zs as they’ve become classics. This remarkable example deserves the serious consideration of anyone in the market, checking all the right boxes: 3k original miles, one owner, entirely original, iconic colors, good options, etc. etc. Finding another one like this is going to be incredibly difficult, if not completely impossible.