Note: Under Heavy
Construction; Adding to DB; May take quite a while, Much more to add.
All About The
1988 Camaro
Dealer Introduction Date:
N/A
For the 1988 Camaro model year, Chevy offered only the base Sport Coupe and the IROC-Z Camaro line.
Reportedly, only 4 (four) 1LE's were built for 1988. However anecdotal evidence suggests 4 RPO 1LE's were exported to Canada which seems to suggest the possibility of actual 8 were produced. However this is not official.
With the demise of the Z28, the base model came with a rear spoiler, aluminum wheels, lower body side panels, and body-color mirrors. It had a standard 2.8-liter 125-hp V6.
The optional 5.0-liter V8 was standard in the IROC-Z. It now had throttle-body fuel injection and 5 more horsepower. 2 MFI V8 options were offered for the IROC-Z. They were a 5.0-liter H.O. (which put out 220 hp with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 195 hp with automatic transmission) and a 5.7-liter 230-hp edition that came only with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Barely 1,000 Camaro convertibles had been produced during the 1987 model year, but the numbers rose to 5,620 in 1988 when the revived body style had its first full-year run.
RS models (7,038 sold) were available in limited areas (California, Texas, and Florida only).
All 1988 Camaros (except the IROC-Z with the 5.7 liter V8 which required automatic) could be had with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission.
The mighty IROC-Z came only with the 5-speed manual transmission as it's standard transmission.
***** "Factory" Convertible or Not: *****
To recognize whether a 3rd-gen convertibles (sometimes referred to a "ragtop") is a "factory" or an aftermarket job, the best thing to do is to check VIN number. If the 6th digit is a number "2", that indicates a factory coupe and a later aftermarket conversion. If it was ordered as a convertible, the digit will be a number "3". Another clue is to look at the RPO code sticker that is located on the inside of the center console glove box (if the cover is original). Factory ragtops will have a code "CC1" (T-top coupe) as well as the code "Z08" ("Model Conversion, Convertible").
Note: There WERE Camaro IROC-Z Convertibles produced with the L98 350 engine (installed by ASC at time of coupe - Convertible conversion) however this was not a GM feature or option. As a result, you will NEVER find a 1988 Camaro IROC-Z Convertible with a "3" as the 6th digit (Convertible) AND "8" (L98 350-cid) as the 8th digit in the VIN number.
IROC-Z coupes could have a 350-cid and so the 6th digit would be "2". The customer could then have their coupe converted to a convertible which would mean it would have a 350-cid engine. However, only GM stamped the "3" on the VIN and so the 8th digit will NEVER be "8" and 6th digit a "3".
1988
Camaro Model Year
Facts
Reportedly, only 4 (four) 1LE's were built for 1988. However anecdotal evidence suggests 4 RPO 1LE's were exported to Canada which seems to suggest the possibility of actual 8 were produced. However this is not official.
Although the body style remained unchanged, Chevrolet made changes in Camaro models and content for 1988. The LT option and Z28 model were gone. For 1988, there were 2 coupe models, the Sport Coupe and the IROC-Z, and 2 convertible models, the Sport Coupe Convertible, and the IROC-Z Convertible. Convertibles continued to be factory-built as coupes, then converted by Automobile Specialty Company.
For 1988 was the first year the "IROC-Z" decal on the door changed locations. From 1985-1987, the decal was placed on the door near the front. It now moved aft flush with the door handles.
15" aluminum wheels, painted gold or silver, were standard with all models. 16" aluminum wheels, painted dark gray or gold, were optional just with IROC-Z Coupe and Convertible, and only with either the RPO LB9 or RPO L98/B2L engine.
For 1988, Chevrolet had planned to use the three-piece spoiler (previously RPO D80) for all IROC-Z models, and a new one-piece spoiler for all Sport Coupes. Early production Sport Coupes, however, were equipped with the three-piece spoiler. And the one-piece design, which incorporated the high-mount stoplamp, was discontinued during the model year.
In front, the Sport Coupe model had the look of the previous year's Z28 with the Z28-style front fascia, lower aero panel, grille, and parking lamps. Sides had the Z28's lower ground-effects panels, and body-color mirrors. The lower panels were accent-color with a Camaro nameplate. Rears had the Z28-style fascia and one of two spoiler types.
A full gauge package, including tachometer, was standard with all models including Sport Coupe. Speedometers read to 115 mph, except with IROC-Z models with optional RPO B2L or RPO LB9 engines, which had special 145-mph speedometers.
The base, no-cost radio was upgraded from the previous year's AM pushbutton unit, to an electronically tuned AM-FM stereo with clock. Although not a Regular Production Option since it was base equipment, Chevrolet's build code was RPO UM7.
Two tire sizes were used. Sport Coupe and IROC-Z models with 15-inch wheels had P215/65R15blackwalls (RPO QYZ). IROC-Z models with the optional 16-inch wheels had P245/50VR16 blackballs.
IROC-Z models had the same lower ground-effects panels as Sport Coupes, but IROC-Z 's were painted body-color. IROC-Z had black recesses around the headlamps, a black plate in the grille opening with Camaro spelled in gold or silver letters, simulated black louvers on the hood, tri-element tail lamps with black appliqués and accents, three-spoke leather steering wheel, visor vanity mirror, and a special performance suspension which included modified steering gear, strut towers and cowl braces. IROC-Z models were equipped with unique stripes and decals, but these could be deleted with RPO DX3 for a $60.00 credit.
All 1988 Camaro's were built at the Van Nuys plant near Los Angeles.
RS models were available in limited areas. For 1988, 7,038 were sold.
The 173ci, 135hp V6 (LB8) continued as base for the Sport Coupe, and the 305ci, 170hp (L03) V8 was optional with the Sport Coupe and no-cost with all other models including Sport Coupe Convertible. For IROC-Z Coupe and Convertible, fuel injection replaced the four-barrel carburetor on the optional 305ci, 170hp (RPO L03) engine. The 350ci engine, RPO L98 (B2L package), increased to 230hp, and was available only with IROC-Z Coupe with automatic transmission.
The RPO L98 350-cid, 230hp V8 engine could not be ordered with 1988 Camaro convertibles from Chevrolet dealers. However, ASC did build convertibles for customer-owned Camaro's (also true in 1986 & 1987) and some 1988 350ci Camaro convertibles were definitely built. The 6th digit will NEVER be "3" (convertible) in this case. It will ALWAYS be "2" (coupe) as it started off as a coupe with the optional L98 350-cid engine. This applies to ALL 3rd Gen Convertibles.
New 16" Aluminum rims introduced for the IROC-Z. These new rims came with double indented per spoke rather than previous years where a single indent was featured per spoke.
Shown:
1988 Camaro IROC-Z (Convertible)
Available Models
Click For Breakout
It had a retail value ranging from : $10,995us - $11,395us.
The CAMARO Base (Coupe) is a 2-Door, rear wheel drive Coupe with seating for 4. It is available in 2 different variations with engines ranging from the 2.8L V6, 173-cid. - 5.0L V8, 305-cid.
It had a retail value ranging from : $16,255us - $16,745us.
The CAMARO Base (Convertible) is a 2-Door, rear wheel drive Convertible with seating for 4. It is available in 2 different variations with engines ranging from the 5.0L V8, 305-cid. - 5.0L V8, 305-cid.
The CAMARO RS (Rally Sport) Coupe is a 2-Door, rear wheel drive Coupe with seating for 4. It is available in only 1 variation and the 2.8L V6, 173-cid. engine.
It had a retail value ranging from : $13,490us - $15,025us.
The CAMARO IROC-Z (Coupe) is a 2-Door, rear wheel drive Coupe with seating for 4. It is available in 5 different variations with engines ranging from the 5.0L V8, 305-cid. - 5.7L V8, 350-cid.
It had a retail value ranging from : $18,015us - $19,250us.
The CAMARO IROC-Z (Convertible) is a 2-Door, rear wheel drive Convertible with seating for 4. It is available in 4 different variations with engines ranging from the 5.0L V8, 305-cid. - 5.0L V8, 305-cid.
Date:
March 1st, 2007
