1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

Introduced in 1985 as a way of celebrating the Camaro’s involvement in the International Race of Champions series, a one-make stock car series that put the focus on driver competition rather than car preparation, the IROC-Z lasted through 1990 as the top-of-the-line 3rd generation Camaro. That makes the 1990 the last of the line for the –Z cars, with the final 245 horsepower 5.7-liter V8 residing under the Camaro’s long, louvered hood. Thick anti-roll bars front and back help the Camaro achieve highly impressive skidpad numbers—around 0.90 lateral G’s—despite the antiquated live rear axle. That’s a testament to what eighteen years of continual development by GM’s engineers can do for a platform. It also looks the part of a ponycar, with a low beltline and short deck that presents a nice compliment to the expanding waistlines of more recent cars in this class. Camaro fans can’t deny that the IROC-Z looks and performers like the ultimate 3rd generation Camaro that it is.