There’s nothing like smoking the Ford Mustang for dedicated Chevrolet Corvette fans. We see you out there, cheering for the Corvette in your jean shorts and New Balance sneakers. But did you know that another Chevy muscle car was leaving the Ford Mustang and other race cars in the dust without getting proper credit? Corvette hardware was hidden on the track as these historic muscle cars raced to victory in the 1980s. This created a problem as Chevrolet wasn't getting the credit for the wins and was losing out on sales as a result. So, an affordable upgraded performance package was built to promote its superior quality.Eventually, the package got its own distinct model and was more affordable than the Chevy Corvette despite having the same components. Older folks ignore this budget Corvette at auctions. However, it’s a proven winner with true racing heritage that’s worth pouncing on before the secret gets out. Here’s What The IROC Stands For Collecting CarsThe IROC is the International Race of Champions racing series that featured the greatest drivers from all forms of motorsports from 1973 to 2006. Drivers from different disciplines like NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and sports cars were invited to compete against each other to discover the champion of champions. All drivers raced in identical cars, so driver skill determined the winner.Chevrolet got involved right from the start in 1974 by introducing Team Chevy Camaro. The chevrolet camaro served as the official identically prepared racecars from 1974 until 1989. The second generation was used from 1974 until 1981, and the third generation was involved from 1982 until 1989. Legendary drivers behind the wheel of the 12 Camaros included Jeff Gordon, Mark Marten, Ken Schrader, and Kurt Busch. But Chevrolet was facing a bit of an issue as it wasn’t taking advantage of the available marketing opportunity of supplying the racecars. The Camaro wasn't getting credit for being used in this high-profile racing series. As a result, Chevrolet was missing out on sales, so it needed a quick solution. The 1985 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z Was Born To Race Donut YouTube channelThe 1982–1984 Chevy Camaro Z28 package was created to flex racing superiority with a sport-tuned suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, and a fiberglass hood with functional air induction scoops. It has a distinct front fascia and a three-piece spoiler. Under the hood, you'll find a 305-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 engine with 145 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The model with cross-fire injection provides 165 horsepower.Then in 1985, the Chevy Camaro IROC-Z took things a bit further with a standalone trim level. It’s a legendary performance-focused variant that features Corvette components. It was built to commemorate the Camaro’s participation in the IROC series. It was available with a 305-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 engine with between 190 and 230 horsepower depending on whether it had a carburetor or tuned port injection and between 240 and 275 pound-feet of torque. You could opt for the 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 engine that was borrowed from the Corvette with 220 to 245 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.The Camaro IROC-Z features the iconic 'wonder bar' steering frame brace and specially valved Delco-Bilstein shocks for enhanced handling. Plus, it has a track-tuned Corvette-derived suspension with lowered ride height and firmer springs. It rides on 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels and has heavy-duty power-assisted front and rear disc brakes.Also, it includes an aerodynamic package with ground effects, a functional front air dam, and an aggressive rear spoiler. The stake hood vents and louvers provide a wider, aggressive stance, and unique IROC-Z decals and body graphics complete the look. The roof was available with removable T-tops. The Chevy Camaro IROC-Z Is A Mustang Killer Via: Mecum AuctionsThe Chevy Camaro IROC-Z accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds and covers a quarter mile in roughly 14.2 seconds. Plus, it has a top speed of 146 mph and pulls about 0.84g on the skid pad. It’s still praised for its superior cornering balance and handling abilities against main rivals like the Ford Mustang LX 5.0. Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang LX 5.0 was faster and sleeker than the GT. But it still used the 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 engine with 225 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. This Fox-body Mustang has a 0 to 60 mph time of about 6.0 seconds and covers a quarter mile in around 14.8 seconds with a top speed of 140 mph. It has a skid pad lateral grip of 0.85.Ultimately, the Mustang was significantly lighter, but it had an older chassis and a solid rear axle that was prone to oversteering at high speeds. The Corvette suspension and TPI gave the Camaro the advantage. However, Chevy decided not to renew its contract with the IROC in 1989, so it lost its licensing for the IROC name in 1990. The Chevy Camaro IROC-Z Is Gaining Value Via: Bring a TrailerDespite being ignored by Corvette fans, the Chevy Camaro IROC-Z could be the right muscle car to scoop up. Its racing heritage and style include 1980s nostalgia from the pinnacle era of rock. Plus, the IROC-Z borrowed from the Corvette to dominate rivals and is seen as keeping the rear-wheel-drive American muscle cars alive during a difficult time. The value of this rare muscle car has been increasing as models that sold for about $25,000 to $35,000 a few years ago are now selling for nearly double.These cars were relatively cheap for years, so many were heavily modified, wrecked, or raced hard. Therefore, finding an unmodified model has gotten more difficult. The LE1 Package, which is a stock car disguised as a street car, is the rarest variant that has heavy-duty 11.65-inch front rotors with two-position aluminum PBR calipers from the Corvette. It has upgraded heavy-duty shocks, stiffer suspension bushings, and special-durometer jounce bumpers. Plus, features like the air conditioning, fog lights, and sound deadening materials were deleted to reduce weight. Under 200 models were built.Via: Mecum AuctionsAverage pricing hovers around $30,000 based on condition, mileage, and configuration. But pristine examples fetch prices over $55,000. Models with the 5.7-liter TPI V8 are often more valuable. Plus, the convertibles are highly sought after. Also, factory T-Tops, rear window louvers, and aggressive period-correct colors like red and black fetch higher premiums.