Research help: 1980s car

The ultimate selection would be the 1985 Camaro IROC-Z. The International Race of Champions was a contest in which top drivers were given 'identical' cars to race. in 1985, the car was the Camaro. The 1985 Camaro IROC-Z not only had a powerful engine, but also suspension modifications to make it handle. If your protagonist liked cars, the 1985 Camaro IROC-Z is aa perfect choice.

From Wikipedia, 1985
Camaro IROC-Z. For 1985, Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro model — the famous IROC-Z, named after the popular competition International Race of Champions. Offered as an option package on the Z28, the Camaro IROC-Z featured an upgraded suspension with lowered springs, specially valved Bilstein shocks, larger diameter sway bars, a lower tie brace, a special decal package, and an optional Tuned Port Injection system taken from the Corvette. It also shared the Corvette's Goodyear "Gatorback" unidirectional tires in a 245/50/VR16 size vs. the Corvette's 255/50/VR16 size, and received unique new aluminum 5-spoke 16 by 8 inch wheels. The new wheels were designed with different offsets front and rear, resulting in the words "Front" or "Rear" cast into the face of the wheels to distinguish which wheel went where.

The Camaro IROC-Z was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. The 305 c.i. 5.0 liter TPI LB9 was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) with the 305 LG4 at 155hp and the High Output "Rochester" 4 barrel 305 L69 at 190 hp (142 kW). Only 2,497 L69 IROC-Z models were made for 1985. The LB9 was available only on the Z28 and the IROC-Z model with the TH700-R4 automatic transmission.

Also new for 1985, all Camaros featured refreshed noses, and new deeper valances and front spoiler for the Z28 and the newly introduced IROC-Z. The speedometers no longer had the unique double-pointed needle that simultaneously read mph and km/h: they were replaced by conventional single-pointer 85 mph (137 km/h) units. The 2.8 L V6 became fuel-injected, raising power from 112 hp (84 kW) to 135 hp (101 kW). This would also be the final year for the less popular base-model 151 cu in (2.5 L) 4-cylinder engine. The G92 (3.42:1 axle ratio) only available on the LB9 with automatic transmission for 1985 and there were only 205 made.

For 1985 a (1C5) RPO California IROC-Z was also made, Chevrolet's California Marketing Group came up with the idea and it was for sale in California only. A total of (100) black and (400) red examples were produced. They were all equipped with the 5.0 TPI LB9 engine and TH700-R4 automatic transmission. They all came equipped with the IROC-Z fog lights, wheels and ground effects, but with the base Camaro's hood (no louvers), rear decklid (no spoiler), and no exterior decals.
 
And also, the Camaro (and Firebird) is in that "Sports car" category she didn't want.
 
The ultimate selection would be the 1985 Camaro IROC-Z. The International Race of Champions was a contest in which top drivers were given 'identical' cars to race. in 1985, the car was the Camaro. The 1985 Camaro IROC-Z not only had a powerful engine, but also suspension modifications to make it handle. If your protagonist liked cars, the 1985 Camaro IROC-Z is aa perfect choice.

From Wikipedia, 1985
Camaro IROC-Z. For 1985, Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro model — the famous IROC-Z, named after the popular competition International Race of Champions. Offered as an option package on the Z28, the Camaro IROC-Z featured an upgraded suspension with lowered springs, specially valved Bilstein shocks, larger diameter sway bars, a lower tie brace, a special decal package, and an optional Tuned Port Injection system taken from the Corvette. It also shared the Corvette's Goodyear "Gatorback" unidirectional tires in a 245/50/VR16 size vs. the Corvette's 255/50/VR16 size, and received unique new aluminum 5-spoke 16 by 8 inch wheels. The new wheels were designed with different offsets front and rear, resulting in the words "Front" or "Rear" cast into the face of the wheels to distinguish which wheel went where.

The Camaro IROC-Z was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. The 305 c.i. 5.0 liter TPI LB9 was rated at 215 hp (160 kW) with the 305 LG4 at 155hp and the High Output "Rochester" 4 barrel 305 L69 at 190 hp (142 kW). Only 2,497 L69 IROC-Z models were made for 1985. The LB9 was available only on the Z28 and the IROC-Z model with the TH700-R4 automatic transmission.

Also new for 1985, all Camaros featured refreshed noses, and new deeper valances and front spoiler for the Z28 and the newly introduced IROC-Z. The speedometers no longer had the unique double-pointed needle that simultaneously read mph and km/h: they were replaced by conventional single-pointer 85 mph (137 km/h) units. The 2.8 L V6 became fuel-injected, raising power from 112 hp (84 kW) to 135 hp (101 kW). This would also be the final year for the less popular base-model 151 cu in (2.5 L) 4-cylinder engine. The G92 (3.42:1 axle ratio) only available on the LB9 with automatic transmission for 1985 and there were only 205 made.

For 1985 a (1C5) RPO California IROC-Z was also made, Chevrolet's California Marketing Group came up with the idea and it was for sale in California only. A total of (100) black and (400) red examples were produced. They were all equipped with the 5.0 TPI LB9 engine and TH700-R4 automatic transmission. They all came equipped with the IROC-Z fog lights, wheels and ground effects, but with the base Camaro's hood (no louvers), rear decklid (no spoiler), and no exterior decals.

The GNX destroyed the IROC, the Corvette, and every other American made car on the road in the 80s. The IROC was not even a match for the Grand National (the car without the McLaren modifications and upgrades). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch9fH9KHDRU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4LeUbfgLXA

This one is currently for sale. The owner is asking $70,000 for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3HWSWMP9Aw

See also http://jalopnik.com/274485/buick-gnx for a full explanation. Also, http://www.buickgnx.com/
 
@ Weird Harold - Mazda 6 didn't come out till 2002 and the Mustang is out because Tatyana stated no full out sports cars and must seat 4...

Others have defended the Mazda 626 although the provided link should have settled any questions. Also the provided link is the source of the alternate designation in some arkets as "MX6" which is NOT thesame thing as a "Mazda 6"

The original mustangs were 2+2 coupes marketed as sportss cars. But as the provided link shows, the 80's version was a full five passenger coupe that only a stretch of the imagination could call a "full-on sports car."
 
Here's another vote for the Taurus SHO. I had a 1991 model with the Yamaha V-6 & 5 speed manual transmission. Tons of fun to drive on winding roads.
 
If Lovecraft68 and sr71plt agree on the Mazda 626, then please, SA Penn Lady, in the interest of world peace, make it a Mazda 626! Then you can get the Israelis and Palestinians together, and win the next Nobel Peace Prize.
 
If Lovecraft68 and sr71plt agree on the Mazda 626, then please, SA Penn Lady, in the interest of world peace, make it a Mazda 626! Then you can get the Israelis and Palestinians together, and win the next Nobel Peace Prize.

LOL

'Tis not I, but LettersfromTatyana that asked about cars, but I heartily agree.
 
Others have defended the Mazda 626 although the provided link should have settled any questions. Also the provided link is the source of the alternate designation in some arkets as "MX6" which is NOT thesame thing as a "Mazda 6"

My mistake for reading too fast and only looking at the abbreviated link that showed in your post...

:)
 
The GNX destroyed the IROC, the Corvette, and every other American made car on the road in the 80s. The IROC was not even a match for the Grand National (the car without the McLaren modifications and upgrades). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch9fH9KHDRU

Yes, the GNX will defeat an IROC-Z Camaro in a drag race. (Why males would dress up in female clothes to race cars has never been clear to me.) However, the Camaro IROC-Z was a road race car. It wasn't optimized for stright line performance, but rather for the balance necessary for race courses where handling and braking come into play.

Also, the Camaro IROC-Z was NOT a sports car, in the classic sense. It was what was referred to as a 'pony car.' It was also a 'muscle car,' but one that would carry four passengers. (I'm not sure if the passengers also had to be males, wearing female clothes, for a drag race.)
 
If Lovecraft68 and sr71plt agree on the Mazda 626, then please, SA Penn Lady, in the interest of world peace, make it a Mazda 626! Then you can get the Israelis and Palestinians together, and win the next Nobel Peace Prize.

ROFLMAO

That was funny; seriously hilarious, actually.
 
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