“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” has been the rationale behind factory involvement in motorsports for eons. Whether or not success on the race track actually translates to higher sales numbers, I don’t know, but that doesn’t stop automakers from offering commemorative editions of cars with ties to racing. And if that racing involves a one-make series, the bragging rights are there for the taking. Both Chevy and Dodge cashed in on this one, in their time, and today we’re going to take a look at one of each of their special editions.
Both of our competitors yesterday were powered by the same engine, the venerable Chevy 350 small-block. One or two of you took umbrage at my calling the Jeep Commando “ugly,” but that’s tough; I stand by my assessment. The old green Checker cab is no beauty queen either, but enough of you preferred it to give it a slight win.
I agree. I love removable-top 4x4s, but the late-model Commando would be way down on my list if I were actually to go looking for one. I just can’t get over that front end, or see over it, probably. Besides, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Checker. It’s just so brutish and utilitarian that it comes across as charming. Plus, it would match my truck.
What would happen if you took the best racing drivers from all different series, who are all used to driving different types of cars, and let them race against each other in a bunch of identical cars? That was the idea behind the International Race of Champions, or IROC for short. (It’s “international” in the same way the baseball “World Series” involves the whole world, but whatever.) But what car do you choose for such an elite gathering of drivers? In 1974, for IROC’s first season, Porsche 911s were used. But from 1975 until 1990, the IROC series was run with Chevy Camaros. By 1985, the popularity of the series prompted Chevy to offer the IROC-Z package for the Camaro Z28.
In 1990, IROC switched from Chevy to Dodge, and the cars were Dodge Daytonas, at least visually. Under the skin they were RWD tube-frame stock cars, just like the Camaros had been. Seeing the success of the IROC-Z Camaro, Dodge wasted no time in creating an IROC package for the Daytona. But the Daytona IROCs are a lot harder to come by than the Camaros are. Our friend Stephen Walter Gossin found one for sale this week, though, so I had to go and find a nice Camaro IROC to pit against it. Let’s check them out.
1987 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 IROC-Z – $17,500
Engine/drivetrain: 5.0-liter (or maybe 5.7 liter) OHV V8, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Menasha, WI
Odometer reading: 62,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
If you’re close to my age, there was probably some guy in your high school who drove an IROC Camaro, and he was probably a dick. [Ed Note: This is a song reference and not a stereotype, I’m realizing. -DT]. But that’s not the car’s fault. The IROC-Z was as fancy as Camaros got in the ’80s, with bigger tires, stiffer suspension, and more power than a standard Z28. It also had the all-important “IROC-Z” lettering along the bottom of the doors, because what was the point of spending the extra money if you couldn’t brag about it? The suspension improvements really did help, though, and made the already-good-handling Camaro even better.
A few different flavors of small-block V8 were offered in the IROC. This one obviously has Tuned Port fuel injection, but I don’t know whether it’s a 305 or a 350. It’s a difference of thirty-five horsepower in the automatic cars, which is significant. We get very little information about this car, only that it has low miles, new tires, and a new battery. Any further assessment of its condition will have to be done in person.
I don’t remember seeing very many red-on-red IROCs, and I’m not sure I like it. It’s too much red, I think. It is in good condition, except for a little wear on the driver’s seat. It has an aftermarket stereo, which one would hope is good enough to make your Mötley Crüe CDs rattle the T-tops. Don’t have any Crüe CDs? That’s all right; there’s a CD holder in the back seat, and I’d bet a Bud Light there’s one in there.
With fresh registration, new tires, and a new battery, I suspect this car was just recently pulled out of storage, which would explain the low mileage. It also probably spared it from a lot of Wisconsin winters, so I wouldn’t be too worried about rust underneath. And for this price, there had better not be any.
1993 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T – $9,000
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.2-liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Bolivia, NC
Odometer reading: 103,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The Dodge Daytona didn’t have the long pedigree of the Camaro, having only arrived on the scene in 1984, but it had a lot going for it. Performance-oriented versions of the Daytona were available from the start, with turbocharged engines, and later some suspension tuning by Carroll Shelby. Sure, it was front-wheel drive, and based on the lowly K-car, but the Daytona managed to hold its own performance-wise against the Camaro and Mustang. After IROC made the switch from Chevy to Dodge, the Daytona IROC hit showrooms, with all the Shelby goodies and special badging. But Dodge saved the best Daytona for last; in 1992 and ’93, a special IROC R/T model was offered, with a little something extra under the hood.
In place of the usual 2.5-liter turbo or Mitsubishi 3.0-liter V6 engine, the R/T featured a twin-cam 16-valve, 2.2-liter turbo engine, making an impressive 224 horsepower. It’s the same engine found in the infamous Dodge Spirit R/T sedan, as well as a select few Chrysler TCs by Maserati. It was only available with a five-speed manual, of course, and probably yanks the steering wheel right out of your hands with the torque-steer it produces. But hey, a tribute to a race car should be a little raucous, right? This one has just a little over a hundred thousand miles on it, and the seller says it runs and drives well.
If there’s one place where this car is a step backward from earlier Daytonas, it’s the dashboard. I never did like this redesigned dashboard, which was also shared with the Chrysler LeBaron at the time. The switchgear feels cheap and flimsy, and some controls are in downright weird places. The old square dash was a lot more logical. Nevertheless, it’s in good condition, and those seats do look comfortable.
I love the seller’s attempt at some artsy shots in this ad, but the trailer under a tarp in the background kind of spoils it. Oh well, at least they tried. You can see that the Daytona’s paint is in great shape, and the body is nice and straight. I wouldn’t expect any rust issues on this one either, but take a peek underneath just to make sure. I love the fact that both this car and the Camaro have aftermarket louvers on the rear windows. That’s something you don’t see much anymore. Does anybody even make them for newer cars?
So that’s our show for next week. See, I didn’t get too weird with the choices. Well, except for those trucks. Next week, I think I’m going to go international and look at some cheap car options overseas that are old enough to import. Until then, you can choose which era of IROC you want to celebrate. Thanks for reading!
The Daytona will make me smile every time I pull away from a stop.
The Camaro will make me seen like a gluebag.
I don’t see either of these as great uses of my personal enthusiast money because whether 9 or 18 grand there are other cars I’d choose.
I want to like the Daytona for having a manual and turbo, but that interior looks like it belongs in a Sundance or Spirit, the seats look squashy and uncomfortable, and the front overhang on these is embarrassing.
I’m going to have to go Camaro here. I don’t like Camaro vibes and have never wanted one, but this is in very nice condition and what says 80s mullet better than that plasticky ill-fitting body with that garbage GM dashboard and some amazingly well-preserved red velour? This car would be entertaining and a big American V8 with a slushbox is a pleasant enough combination. The price is steep but if you keep it in good shape I’m guessing it will retain some value. Doubt the Daytona will.
I wasn’t a fan of that generation of Camaro when they were new; now, they’ve all but disappeared, and the slightly crazy body lends itself well to going even crazier. I’ve been impressed by some of the modified Camaros I’ve seen lately…I think the boxy era looks better with large wheel/tire combos filling the wheel wells than anything pre-1975. Plus, the platform should have plenty of go-fast bits available for purchase.
That said, I went Daytona because it’s cheaper and even more rare on today’s roads.
Both sell for good money. A 93 Blue Daytona with 35K miles sold for $28K last month. You could buy these two for the same money. Yikes!
“A 93 Blue Daytona with 35K miles sold for $28K last month”
Wow! Alright, looks like there’s enough of a fanbase to keep prices up.
I cannot remember the last time I saw a Daytona on the road.
I’ve driven an earlier Shelby Daytona, and it was an absolute hoot. I’ll take the Daytona today and save a tone of money over the Camaro.
I’d probably update the stereo and give it the deepest detail ever along with a paint correction/protection package then drive it every summer I can manage. Yeah my Si is probably faster, but the Daytona looks cooler.
Leaning Daytona, but parts for that engine are unobtainium and the rest of the car is fancy K-car. I do certainly like the shape of the Daytona, but wish it had pop-up headlights for that quintessential ’80s look and a regular 2.5L turbo.
The Camaro is near double the price, and forever ruined by association with a certain class of owner. It will forever be ingrained in my mind as a vehicle on cinder blocks in the front yard, in a ditch/wrapped around a phone pole, or scraping hanging rusty exhaust chunks off as it flies down the highway at near double the limit.
I rock the Daytona.
For the price differential, you could probably cram an SRT-4 drivetrain into the Daytona.
A joke I heard in 1987: “Why are Camaros like Hemorrhoids? Because eventually every a**hole has one.” I am not sure why I still remember that joke from 39 years ago but whatever. I liked the look of IROC z-28s in the 80s but even then we knew the quality was suspect.
So, the Camaro is RWD, red, and has T tops. I’m not sure about the red interior, it sort of makes me angry to look at it. Also an auto transmission where a manual would be so much better.
The Daytona is also red and it does have the manual transmission, which is a bonus. But, it’s FWD, and I think doesn’t look as good as the Camaro. But, the Camaro costs twice as much, and they optioned it with the “ruined driving experience” package (auto transmission).
Reluctant Daytona today.
That’s usually my opinion as well, but specifically for these Camaros there’s something about being able to just jam your foot into the floor and let the big V8 do its thing while spinning the shitty rear tires that makes an auto feel like the right choice in this (or at least an acceptable choice). I’m not a fan of the red interior or the cultural connotations associated with the car either, but if we’re leaning fully into 80’s Camaro you might as well go all the way and do power brake burnouts.
It is unfortunate how some cars seem to be known for being driven by jerks. I always loved this generation of Camaro though. I think I’d still prefer a manual transmission since it’s a sports car and burnouts aren’t really my thing (they might have been in the 90’s though…).
“Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-dooooooo! DAY-TO-NAAAAAAA!”
At least I think I got enough “Dos” in there. Anyway…
Look, I like a nice third gen. But this one’s an auto, costs twice as much as the Mopar, and might have a 305. Nobody liked the 305. And the Daytona has a stick. And a turbo. C’mon, let’s go away! Who cares about torque steer!?
Daytona for likely being more fun to drive. At this point, they’re both relatively slow, so manual plus likely epic torque steer is the ticket for motoring joy.
Will say it would have been a more fair fight for me if only the Camaro had the louvers.
The Camaro does have louvers! That would have been a deciding factor for me as well. Man I love louvers.
My bad wording! I meant it would be a more fair fight if only the Camaro, not the Daytona, had them. B/c yeah, me too on how awesome they can be.
I’m just taking this opportunity to use the term “superfluous louvers”. Thank you.
I second this. Once nearly everywhere (and pointless and usually questionably installed), now they’re like coming across someone driving a two door SUV.
I saw a newish car with aftermarket louvers last week I was flabbergasted.
When I do see them on current cars, it’s usually on Dodge Chargers. And the rear window isn’t raked enough to pull it off. Oddly, I don’t think I’ve seen many on newer Mustangs.
I’ve seen some, but they’re almost always the new, really overwrought versions with way too many weird angles and cutouts.
Superflouvers is the correct term.
Pronounced “SooPER floovers”, not “SOOPER floovers”
Based on price and the manual, I,d hoon the Daytona.
Want to enjoy a real IROC / real stock car series where all the cars are identical ( race-prepped “stock” Miata’s with bone stock engines) and it comes down to drivers skill? I can’t recommend the MX-5 cup enough!
Streams live for free and races are on YouTube later. Lots of action and paint trading. 45 minute races, no pit stops, so it’s all up to the drivers. Drivers race for real money at some of the best tracks in the country. Been a good season so far this year with more races to come…
https://www.mx-5cup.com/
Going with the IROC-Z. I was a Mustang GT guy back in the day, and had enough fun going against them, but I always admired them as well. They were better looking and sounded so damned good from the factory – say what you will, but GM knew how to make a resonating exhaust (the GT had much better flow, but didn’t sound nearly as cool). I’d look to remove that CD player and try to source a proper Delco unit because you need to be able to rock a Van Halen cassette in one of these in order to truly get the full IROC-Z experience.
I would likely make a copy of said Val Halen tape, because every Delco unit I interacted with tended to munch and mangle cassettes.
Of course…somebody get me a Maxell 90
Awesome match-up (as always) and thanks for the shout-out, Mark!
Even though I own a 3rd Gen (Firebird), I’m going with that Daytona – it’s just too cool and rare.
If it were that beautiful emerald green they offered, it might just be the perfect car for this guy.
Green (or Black Cherry), and a 5-speed Pacifica instead of this rare beast, would be my ideal Daytona. Or a chocolate-brown Laser XE like I had in the ’90s, but not a crappy $500 one – like I had in the ’90s.
Also, excellent form with the Wheatus reference!
That and the Iron Maiden line are what make the song; both the car and the band were already getting to be deep cuts for mainstream 2000s pop audiences.
Daytona is cheaper, rarer, and a stick. It’ll win today.
I like the Daytona, but my heart belongs to the IROC-Z.
I’ll take the Italian Retard Out Cruising Camaro.
Oh, tough one for this GenX! I always like that gen Camaro in IROC form. My boss in HS had the blue IROC…was a sweet car in it’s day and it had those ‘big’ 16″ Gatorbacks. But, I had to go with the Daytona. I’m more of a smaller car guy and my brother had a regular black Daytona, although nowhere as good of condition as this one.
Did the Camaro owners’ folks drive it up from the Bahamas?
I see what you did there.
Of course I am, the Bahamas are Islands.
Did you run over some old lady at the county fair?
Please don’t leave a scratch!
I’m not paying twice the price just to go slower and burn more fuel.
My neighbour had a Dodge Daytona that looked identical to this one for years, always thought it looked cool. Cooler than the base model Shadow sitting in our driveway.
The purpose of this (esp with the auto) is to not go at all and burn tires.
You’re gonna have to work at that with an 80s 305, but I bet if you left the hand brake on and dumped the clutch on the Daytona, you’d roast em for days.
Had to vote Daytona here. I’ve had a couple of f-bodies and will never do one with t-tops again. Thanks to my Firebird, I ended up getting to work with a wet butt on more than one occasion. Plus I still couldn’t talk myself into spending that much on a 3rd Gen, even if it’s the most fancy one. I enjoyed my ’91 Camaro with it’s 3.1 V6 and 5-speed a lot – would rather have something like that…
Which means the Daytona would be fun. But as a slow-car-fast kind of guy, I would prefer an earlier Daytona with four eyes, or at least the pop-up headlight Daytona with the Mitsubishi V6.
I can fight a lot of torque steer to save $8,500.
The only time I’ve felt any significant amount of torque steer was in a ’94 Dodge Aires wagon I had as a company car.
Neither my Saab 9000 Turbo, nor my V6 Accord feel like they’re trying to break my wrists or yank the wheel out of my hands.
I have always loved the looks of the Gen 3 Camaros. The design has aged pretty well, too. But man oh man was the performance underwhelming. Not to mention notoriously poor build quality.
If I was going to have one, it would be restomodded with a better drivetrain, brakes, handling, etc. And it would have to have some of the inevitable build issues resolved.
This one is too nice to do that to and not nice enough to be what I’d want out of one. Plus, the price is out of line.
The Daytona, while not nearly as desirable, makes for a fun toy or even an unusual daily driver and gets my vote.
Can only rock the Camaro if you have a supporting mullet. Also, even if it DOES have the 350, that’s only 6 more hp than the Daytona, with 500lb more weight to haul around using a slushbox. The Daytona is also a much rarer bird in terms of production numbers. Rare doesn’t always equate to valuable, but you’ll definitely get more looks and questions at a car show with it simply because everybody saw an IROC Camaro in the parking lot at Walmart yesterday.
Daytona, it has a manual transmission.
Assuming this is a “none isn’t an option” situation. There’s no way I’d pay that much for either, but if you’re getting an IROC badge, it can’t be on a K-car…
None is always an option.
In the spirit of the game, I always approach these as a “gun to head, you must buy one” kind of situation…
Both are over priced that Camaro is clean but I just cannot see paying that much for a turd gen. Same goes with the Daytona it is very clean but just seems a little to expensive for it. Both are very cool cars and I only voted for the Camaro as it would feel like sacrilege to vote against any f body especially a turd gen also it has t-tops if the Daytona had t-top I may have leaned that way.