I've never heard of the '79 Camaro Z28 IROC Sprite pace cars until now. Only 25 were made for pacing the IROC races

Chevrolet reportedly built 25 pace cars for IROC duty, and these were retained by GM and cycled from track to track for service between events. These so-called “Sprite cars” are instantly recognizable thanks to their white paint over rare green interiors, a combo essentially limited to the pace-car run.

https://www.hotcars.com/dennis-collins-sale-rare-camaro-sprite-z28/

it would be so damn fun to drive this street legal NASCAR IROC Avenger, the only good Avenger probably ever made, and probably the only Avenger I've ever posted

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1392069951940564&set=pcb.1796288117583253

it must have been really cool to be able to go to races in the 80s, like IROC, when they had famous drivers all racing identical cars... it must have been great to see truly gifted drivers trying to outsmart each other on the track

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1065979062224496
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1065978988891170&set=pcb.1065979228891146

1986 IROC Z commercial

 

remember when IROC Zs were everywhere?

the owner of an 1986 IROC-Z was only able to put 3400 miles on his car before he got sick, and then it sat in the driveway for the last 30 years... destroying the paint. It's probably the least expensive 86 IROC-Z, but, to fix the looks will cost about 20k

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/owner-abandoned-this-1986-chevrolet-camaro-iroc-z-with-3k-miles-in-his-driveway-242688.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116390621160

Luftgekühlt 10, a car show for air-cooled Porsche automobiles, took place on the Universal Studios back lot.

This guy was dressed in period correct duds that were color-matched to his car, right down to the amber lenses that mimicked those on his 914-6, maybe in the style of the Goodwood Revival.

The International Race of Champions ran Porsche Carrera RSRs in its inaugural year of 1974. Mark Donohue was the champion after winning the fourth and final race that year

Renee Brinkerhoff rallied a 356 on all seven continents. It culminated with the Antarctic Ice Challenge

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g62520831/luftgekuhlt-10-porsche-air-cooled-gathering-gallery

IROC partnered with True Value, who served as the title sponsor for the IROC Series for decades, to be the primary sponsorship partner for the IROC exhibition event at Lime Rock Park, in July

“As True Value celebrated 75 years last year, and as we refreshed our own iconic brand this year, we reflected on legacy and the partners who have made it possible,” Kempa continued. “IROC is essential to the history of True Value, and we’re proud to be part of its future.”

Among the drivers at the IROC exhibition event at Lime Rock Park were Mark Martin, a five-time IROC Champion, Bobby Labonte, the 2001 IROC Champion, Al Unser Jr., a two-time IROC Champion, Geoff Bodine, the 1987 IROC Champion, Ken Schrader, Geoff Brabham, Davy Jones, and Greg Biffle.

Dale Earnhardt’s red No. 5 IROC Gen-3 Camaro, Mark Martin’s green No. 1 IROC Avenger, Dale Earnhardt’s orange No. 1 IROC Avenger, Al Unser Jr.’s yellow IROC Avenger, Danny Sullivan’s white No. 5 IROC Avenger, Jeff Gordon’s silver No. 6 IROC Firebird, and Bobby Labonte’s black No. 1 IROC Firebird were among the historical IROC cars at the event.

The duo of Evernham and Kauffman announced its acquisition of the iconic IROC brand, which had laid dormant for nearly 20 years, back in January. Evernham feels the goals of this initial IROC event at Lime Rock Park are being achieved.

“The primary objective of our IROC event at Lime Rock Park was to reignite the passion and excitement racing fans have for the legendary IROC brand. With today’s announcement, we have taken that one step further by rekindling one of the most iconic partnerships in motorsports history with True Value and IROC,” said Evernham. “True Value and their customers supported IROC for many years and we are grateful to have them involved as we bring IROC back to the track.”

https://www.iroc-racing.com/iroc-lime-rock-park

https://tobychristie.com/iroc/true-value-returns-as-iroc-partner-drivers-announced-for-iroc-exhibition-at-lime-rock-park

Limerock with representatives of every generation of IROC cars

 

IROC, back when the names of SCCA drivers were household names.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10231548113943227&set=pcb.2454316054761630

This 89 IROC Z was stored until 2020, when it was bought at auction... now it's getting flipped, and the current bid is 55k. That's exactly how much it sold for in 2020. It's only got 440 miles on it

 As soon as flipping cars becomes unprofitable, the entire old car sales situation will probably lose 30% of the inflated concept of what they are worth. 

Then they will finally go back to reasonable prices, like the 100 year old stuff no one wants anymore. 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-chevrolet-camaro-iroc-z-coupe-11
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/02/440-mile-1989-chevy-camaro-iroc-z-up-for-auction-video

one owner IROC Z with only 5k miles... 34 years, of storing that car, and not enjoying driving it, that's weird... is coming to auction in Biloxi

https://vicariauction.com/auction-house/1/?ahid=24559

mid 80s Camaros might be making a comeback

read more about it at https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/sema-coverage/gooding-auto-company-builds-the-perfect-iroc-z-z28-restomod/

Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham announced a plan to revive the IROC as a six-race, short-track spectacular in 2021

 Evernham said to expect announcements about scheduling, TV partners and tracks, likely in December. “We are waiting until NASCAR and IndyCar release their schedules,” he said, so they’ll know if and when drivers are available to race in the new series.

https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/37496/update-the-new-iroc-series-is-still-on-for-2021

Someone decided to purchase this '86 IROC Z as a graduation gift for their daughter. Fortunately, they “nixed it at the last minute on the drive home from the dealer.” and it was garaged... now it only has 6000 miles on it

This IROC-Z was parked in a garage for 33 years, now it's on Ebay and the reserve is about 24k https://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Chevrolet-IROC-Camaro/124422573369?hash=item1cf829cd39:g:sPIAAOSwKGxfoasa

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/this-1986-iroc-camaro-really-wasnt-a-proper-graduation-gift-has-just-6k-miles-151046.html#

Ha! In 1987, a reviewer for Cars Illustrated showed his disdain for the IROC by photographing it in front of a row of porta-potties. He hasn't been seen at a Chevy long-lead press preview since

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/chevy-iroc-camaro-history-tuned-port-tpi-350/

http://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/21/2020/09/Cars-Illustrated-october-1987-IROC-Camaro-review-1.pdf

Ever hear of the 1985 IROC Z signed by all the rock stars at Live Aid? It sold for only 22k in 2004

General Motors partnered with MTV to bring two '85 IROCs to the concert to be signed by all the entertainers such as Brian Wilson, Kenny Loggins, Nick Rhodes, Simon LeBon, Eric Clapton, Ozzy, Bo Diddley, Page, Plant, The Four Tops, Tom Petty, Judas Priest, Jagger, Run DMC, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and Santana. The autographs were clear coated over

 After the concert, the other IROC Z went to the GM Heritage Collection Center and this one went on the GM international auto show schedule.

In 1986, it was raffled off at a concert in New York City named "Drive Aid" All proceeds went to the Live Aid Foundation. A-25-year old computer programmer won the drawing for the Camaro but he realized he could not keep the car or pay the tax on it.

The lucky winner was named Ken Bowser of Colchester, Connecticut. In august of 1986, Ken decided to put the car up sale

He sold it to a collector who basically threw a cover over it and stored it.

Twenty-five years later, the car only has 911 original miles.

Just think, a couple of the autographs are from dead legends, like Tom Petty

Can you imagine what a 1969 Camaro with signatures from everyone who played at Woodstock would be worth?

https://www.facebook.com/heath.rodney/posts/1272699002803507
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1985-CHEVROLET-CAMARO-IROC-Z-2-DOOR-COUPE-161594
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/556049-85-camaro-iroc-z.html
https://www.facebook.com/notes/cars-on-linecom/live-aid-camaro-uncovered-after-24-years/441790960191/
http://www.camarosource.ca/rare_specialty/drive-aid_camaro/

IROC 1973-74, the art work of Guy Allen

http://automotiveandlifestyle.tumblr.com/post/141894399401

A majority of his work is available for sale as limited editions of only a few hundred prints. These unique pieces, signed and numbered after personal inspection, are offered on the respected German Hahnemühle stock. His pigment ink prints employ a nine colour inkjet printing process that guarantees the pieces will not fade, or yellow even facing direct sunlight and will remain light resistant for up to a century.

https://www.blackbird-autojournal.com/affordable-classics/

IROC Riverside California, 1973

From left, are: A.J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Bobby Allison, Denis Hulme, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gordon Johncock, Richard Petty, Peter Revson, George Follmer, David Pearson, Mark Donohue and Bobby Unser.

Found on https://www.facebook.com/groups/505973489414476/?fref=nf

IROC Z28 with only 4.3 miles found in a shipping container

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/ebay-find-of-the-day-85-camaro-iroc-z28-with-four-miles-mulle/
It was never dealer prepped for sale, so it's factory fresh on the inside, really dusty on the outside.

It was sent from GM to Albrizio Chevrolet, Palisades Park New Jersey where it then sat in the trailer. It was then sold for $30,000 to a middleman who was working for a collector, who owned a Ford Dealership, who cleaned it up and got it running and tried to sell it on Ebay within the year, it didn't sell. He was then stuck with a car that a lot of people liked, but no one wanted to store after blowing over $30,000 dollars. Imagine buying something you can't use, and keep the value of. If you use it, it depreciates, and though you get to enjoy it, you can't ever think of it as an investment.. and if you just want a great example to enjoy, you never would pay half this much for.

Full Camaro enthusiast thread about it at http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/522597-4-3-mile-iroc-9.html

It finally disappeared off the public awareness in 2011 when it sold at Mecum's spring auction



the car went through a collector in Indiana, and he wrote into a Camaro forum and said:

Guess what, we got it running today!! It runs perfect!! Our top technician who is extremely intelligent worked on it today. He first checked the cylinders inside with a scope to make sure there was no rust before cranking the engine over. He also put a little oil down the cylinders and cranked the engine over with the coil wires off to work the oil to the rings, and also pump oil to the top of the engine before starting it up. Once that was done, he put some gas into the carb, and cranked it over a few times and it started!. It ran very well for the few seconds of fuel it had in the carb. After several attempts to get the carb pumping fuel, and working properly, the tech decided that the fuel inside the carb was “gummed” up, and needed cleaned. We all thought that, but we had to try. So, he took the carb off, cleaned the jets, and put it back on. He did not alter any adjustments in any way, just cleaned it up, and that’s it. After that, he hooked up a small gas tank to the fuel pump and the car started and idled perfect!!

I have some video I took of the process I will post on your forum when I have a minute. It’s not very long as my battery went dead in my video camera, but It is all charged and ready to go now. Oh, and buy the way, I will be glad to join your forum and keep everyone updated on the process. One more thing, we did change the oil before we started the car, but left the original oil filter on. I can’t believe how great this car runs after sitting that many years. I was worried when we got the car that all the rubber seals around the t-tops, windows, and doors would be all cracked and dry rotted, but there not! They are in great shape! They could use a bath, and some armor all, or silicone to moisten the rubber a bit. The underside of the car is like new also. It has the normal small amount of rust that every new car has underneath when they come off the carrier like some of the unpainted steel and or cast iron parts. Other then that the underbody is in awesome shape. I remember the video that was on youtube, the guy said that the rear floor mats were missing, or did not come with them. Well, I found the rear floor mats today. The only issue with the floor mats is the rubber backing that gm used back then has decayed and has turned into a tar like substance. If you touch it your hands turn very sticky and black. 

Thank you for offering to help with the parts, I really appreciate that Scott. Based on your suggestion, I think I am going to purchase those two “New” oem wheels that are in NY, then I will just have to come up with two more and we will be set. It will be expensive, but like you said, it will be worth more that way being all original. I will also call and order a copy of the invoice so I can get the key codes. Kind of sucks, can’t even open the rear hatch without having a key. This car does not have the optional power hatch release located in between the power windows switches. 

Photo Bucket: http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/geforce10/Tank%20reinstalled/?albumview=slideshow

and then he flipped it to profit and it's now in Franklin Tennessee https://youtu.be/sy8lSv35iEQ