It’s Official: GM Will Not Be Bringing Back the Awesome IROC-Z
It’s so hard to say goodbye to the IROC-Z, a Chevy Camaro that rightfully earned its place as an iconic muscle car.
There are some cars that are so cool, so kickass, that all it takes is one look and you are hooked. That is how we felt about the IROC-Z Camaro. It came blazing on the scene in 1985, as an option for the Z28. The 1985 IROC-Z/28, named after the International Race of Champions, was steeped in its racing background, and offered a thrilling high-performance ride.
In 2018, we got a glimmer of hope that this sweet ride might be making a return when General Motors filed a patent to trademark IROC-Z. Okay, so the patent only covered merchandising and scale models, but it was a promising first step since the last IROC-Z rolled off the line in 1990. Now, according to GM Authority, GM abandoned the patent filing as of July 25. Once again, our hope of resurrecting one of the most bitchin’ Camaros has been dashed.
It appears as though the patents were more of an effort to secure the IROC-Z name for GM against competitors. The patent was filed after an aftermarket parts company registered the IROC-Z trademark. In 2017 California-based 6LE Design filed for patents pertaining to Goods and Services category.
According to GM Authority, 6LE built a one-off IROC-Z model, and sold parts that could be used towards building IROC. The company went under in November of 2018 and its assets were sold off to two other companies.
We would have loved to see the return of the IROC. For one thing, it would have been a huge boost for Camaro, which unfortunately saw sales drop in 2019. Secondly, the IROC-Z/28 was a hell of a ride. The sexy style accented by that t-top made it a head turner on the road. Performance-wise, these Camaros were almost indestructible! They road beautifully, handled like a dream, and had that torquey, hefty engine under the hood.
Come on, GM. A limited-edition IROC-Z Camaro with a modern-day drivetrain would be a dream come true! Take a page from Ford and their release of the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt. And with the success of the 2020 C8 Corvette, now is the time to be bold.
Would you like to see the IROC-Z return? Let us know in the comments, or sound off in the forums.
Photos: General Motors, Hemmings, Mecum Auctions
