What Does The Z Stand For In Iroc Z: Unraveling The Iconic Moniker

The term “IROC” in “IROC-Z” stands for “International Race of Champions.” The International Race of Champions was a racing competition akin to NASCAR, originating in 1974 with races featuring Porsches. However, due to the high maintenance costs associated with Porsches, the series transitioned to utilizing the Chevrolet Camaro in 1975. This change allowed for more sustainable and competitive racing.

Why was the Camaro called the IROC-Z? During the third generation of Camaros, which made its debut in 1982, the Z28 was initially the fastest model in the lineup. However, between 1985 and 1990, the top-of-the-line variant was the IROC-Z, often affectionately abbreviated as just “IROC” by enthusiastic car enthusiasts. The name “IROC” was derived from the International Race of Champions, a prestigious racing series that featured the world’s top drivers competing in identical cars. This connection to the racing world added an exciting and performance-oriented image to the Camaro, making it a popular choice among automotive enthusiasts during that era. The IROC-Z package, priced at $659, included various performance enhancements, solidifying its reputation as a high-performance Camaro model.

The “Z” in Z28 has become synonymous with the Chevrolet Camaro. In essence, it was a straightforward three-digit alphanumeric sales code used by General Motors (GM) to denote a Special Performance Package. This package was first introduced in December 1966 and played a pivotal role in enhancing the Camaro’s performance capabilities.