Buying a Brand New 1989 Camaro in 2025: Fluffy's IROC-Z | Jay Leno's Garage

[00:06] >> put our foot in it right here. >> Okay, I'm ready. Go for it. Here we go. >> Okay, I'm ready. Go for it. Here we go. Woo!

[00:29] Woo! That's up there. The vehicle we're featuring today, an iconic automobile, 1989 Camaro iRock.

[00:44] This was uh a variation of the Z28. It was above the Z28. To a certain You know, when this came out, I already had my 65 Shelby Mustang, so it's kind of a Mustang guy, so I didn't pay a lot of attention to it, but Roger Penske

[00:59] started the IRock series with the International Race of Champions. I the man who owns it. He is the IRock of Comedy, Mr. Gabriel Glacius. Gabriel, come on in, my friend. >> The Irock of Comedy. I come

[01:13] iRock man himself. Jay, give me a hug. You never hug anybody on the show. You I feel like I've I've been here enough times and we get together. We We hug it >> There you go. Now, again, this is not restored. It's not repainted. This is a

[01:28] 100% original automobile. Well, it had 344 miles on it when you got it. Has 401 >> I might have taken it to the Yeah. Starbucks. Yeah. This is becoming a thing now. The lowmile car. I've I've uh managed to get a uh my hands on a couple

[01:43] of low mile cars. Now, we featured them here. This one though. Oh, this one. >> This when you were See, I'm that much older than you. When you were a kid, >> This was the car to have. Yes. >> An iRock Z28.

[01:57] cuz it doesn't have the iRock sticker on the side. didn't I noticed. That's right. No T-top. Thank you. >> Yeah, don't >> need it. Don't need it, man. I I need to

[02:09] save what little hair I have up there. And and this was a performance variant of this and it was 215 horsepower which was seems like nothing >> compared to Yeah. That's that's a stock uh Charger right now, right?

[02:22] >> But uh at the time this I mean it still goes very fast. 200 horsepower is still >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, no. No. It's a nice looking car. Very nice. Very. And this or were you just searching on the website, oh I got to have that? I mean

[02:36] were you trying to find an iRock? There's certain cars from the past that always wanted to have the 5.0 Mustang, right? Uh you know, obviously with the Volkswagens, but uh back in in back in my day, [laughter]

[02:51] I always wanted to have an iRock Z28 that this was the car to have. >> So, now had you been looking for one and this was the best one in the world or how did you how did you come upon it? >> Uh well, uh I came upon this car through

[03:03] uh through through one of your people uh reached out to me and said, "Hey, man. I be interested in. Uh this is the mileage and I saw the photo. The color is so nice. Uh you know, we're we're used to seeing blue, black, white.

[03:18] >> This one right here is kind of like a clay uh a burnt orange color. >> Now, this has to be the most original lowest mileage one in existence, I would >> Uh was it in California? Where'd you find it?

[03:31] >> It was uh it started off in California, then it went to Texas, and then now it's back here in California. And when I when I did buy it, it had 344 miles. And uh gonna let it sit. I I drive I drive the cars, people. I drive them. I've upset

[03:46] >> I think that's good. Are you the original owner, the first owner, or does a dealership? >> I didn't see a registration on it. No, someone had the car. Someone had the car and uh you know, obviously they didn't

[03:58] they didn't touch it very much, but uh >> yeah, you know, you often wonder where you always hear the stories. In my day, you'd find a car like this and it'd be soldier who bought it and then got drafted in Vietnam and the parents kept

[04:12] the car. The kid, you know, there were so many of those stories, very sad these brave guys just never got back to enjoy the the fruits of their labor, you know, and you wonder what I wonder what did you ever hear the story of why this

[04:26] because it's I mean, like you say, it's got the color. It's automatic. I mean, it's it's a fast car. I like it without the iRock on the side. I mean, that's what I would have bought. Yeah, exactly. >> I don't know what was going on in 1989,

[04:39] uh, as far as, uh, something that could be similar to that, but I mean, the person bought it. Obviously, didn't drive it or something happened. I don't >> How old were you in ' 89? >> 89. Let's see. I was born in 76. What is

[04:52] that? 76. What? 13? 12. >> Hey, it took me a second. >> See, I would have graduated. I think you trying to figure out how a desirable car like this, the right color, the right

[05:06] options, >> would stay unsold for so many years now. It was out of Illinois originally, right? A dealership in Illinois. I think >> Ohio. Yeah. Okay. Ohio. >> This car was uh at a dealership in Ohio

[05:20] and then um it it was there for a while and then someone got a hold of it, put kept it in a climate controlled environment and that's why it looks the way that it does. But that guy bought it in 2025. He bought it

[05:33] >> So, he didn't have it very long. >> Okay. So, it's in a deal. And then you got Did he have it listed for sale or how did you have to kind of offer the you go about [laughter] getting it? >> Uh, it was uh it was listed on Bring a

[05:47] >> It was listed on Bring a Trailer and obviously, you know, the bidding started and um you know, I I got my hands on it. You know, it's so odd because you wonder why someone would you find this. >> It's been in a dealership since

[06:02] >> Yeah. >> You hold it for a few months and then you put on I mean I Why would you You think, "Oh, I want this. I want to have >> buyer's remorse? You never know. I mean, maybe it was like, "Oh, that's kind of

[06:14] maybe it just wasn't his cup of tea." >> Right. Right. >> I've you know, I I might have purchased a car or two that I kind of like I wish you're more of the 44 oz big gulp of tea. Not [laughter] so much the not the

[06:28] >> You like the 44 The big cup of tea. The big gulp of tea. And this would be a big >> This is a very big >> cuz I I I can't imagine a more desirable >> It's a beautiful car. It is all the way around, especially with the mileage and,

[06:42] because you'd think it would be maybe took care of it. Obviously, >> they took such good care of this car that the wheels even looked like the

[06:54] >> Are these the original tires? >> No, they're not the original tires. And we're going to, you know, take this car out, but um they were Eagles. I don't usually you could see the code on the side of the tire. The tires had no code

[07:10] >> which is like, oh wow, they're way back. But you could tell those tires were uh >> No cracks. We didn't see any cracks. They said, "No, the tires look fine." I >> Well, let's take a look at the original window sticker.

[07:24] >> It's right there. It's right there. 1989. >> it does seem like yesterday. >> Okay. 5.7 L V8. So, that's the 350. >> Okay. >> And I think it's only about 215

[07:39] horsepower. You're still in that smog, you know, restricting era really had to choke engine. >> Just let it go, Jay. They're not going No, we're going to we're going to we're going to win that one. We're going to

[07:54] >> So, fun fact, in 1989, you could get a brand new iRock Z28 like this one for brand new iRock Z28 like this one for $18,779.

[08:07] money back then. Yeah. Yeah, that was a lot of money back then because just 10 years earlier, this car would have been less than $10,000. Probably 3500 to4500. >> in the 60s. Yeah. Well, I mean it didn't exist in the 60s obviously, but yeah.

[08:22] So, so they were starting to rack up the prices there pretty much. But I mean, it's perfect. >> In 1989, you can get this car for $18,779 adjusted for inflation. That's right

[08:38] >> About 47,000. >> So, did you pay more than that? >> Yeah. Tax, all that good stuff. >> And look, you're not going to find >> No, that's the thing, too. This is so rare. I've never seen this color. I've

[08:52] never I the first time I saw this color was recently when I got the car. I >> cuz I'm surprised, you know, I would think at one of the big auction houses, is really American centric or mikum, >> this would go for 60 or 70 cuz you're

[09:08] new car. >> It's a brand new car. >> Yeah, it's pretty good. Very nice. >> You know, Bob Barker. >> IT'S A NEW CAR. >> CAR. [laughter]

[09:20] >> I know. That's No, it's great. Well, let's let's open the hood and see what the motor looks like. All right, let's open the hood and see what's in there. open the hood and see what's in there. Me squeak around this car.

[09:39] You know, this is the golden age for the Camaro. I like the uh first gen 68, 67, Camaro. I like the uh first gen 68, 67, 68, 69 I still like, but those first three were Oh, here we go. There we are. Very nice. Look at I mean, look, just

[09:53] >> It's brand new. You got a brand new Optima battery. That's the only thing great. >> So, new tires, new battery, and that's >> Tuneport injection. >> There's a couple of purists out there

[10:05] getting mad. He took away the tires. Sorry, cuz I'm going to drive it. >> Post it online so you can cry. >> All [laughter] All nicely done. Yeah, very nicely done. >> And your overflow here. Bug. Big coolant

[10:19] overflow. Ready to take it for a drive? >> Oh, yes, Jay. Let's take it. Let's take >> Let's see what she does. There we go. Yeah. Shuts nice. >> All right. >> All right.

[10:32] >> Feels like Batman and Robin. Suddenly it's 1989.

[10:47] Listen. Yeah. Started right up. [laughter]

[11:13] >> Not a virgin anymore. >> Yeah. As I remember, Roger Pensky started the iRock series and originally was 911 and then they switched to Camaros. >> Can't imagine trying to race a 911.

[11:27] >> Huh. Well, it's a race car. Why? Why not? Have you ever driven a 911? >> You don't have one, do you? >> I sure do. 911 Turbo S. Yes. >> Yeah. No, no, no. >> Not an aircooled.

[11:42] >> No, I got the I had a good year one. [laughter] went went well. >> It rides like a new car. >> It rides like a new car. >> H

[11:56] >> Yeah. No, it goes pretty good. It goes pretty good. >> Yeah, it's an actual >> And it has a cigarette on it.

[12:10] >> Show people this, you know, back. Yeah. That little hole that's in the uh in the dash used to be for for smoking. That's right here. You pop it in. Take what? >> Get that. Let's see. I wonder if it still works.

[12:25] >> New. It should. Let me push it in. See what happens. I'm going to >> I did that. I was I had the ring in before my tongue. >> What do you think? It's been about 8

[12:37] seconds, 10 seconds. It should Let's see. Let's see. Wait, wait. Let's see if see. Let's see. Wait, wait. Let's see if it does it on its own. >> Oh, it's red. Look at that.

[12:50] Look at that. Oh, still hot. car. >> That's a God. People used to do it. My lighters and ashtrays. So, you have people all your [snorts] passengers are

[13:05] smoking at the same time. Hilarious. >> It was so common back then. Yeah. Yeah. smokes. >> Yeah. You go to Texas or Yeah. Yeah. smoking in the car. >> You see girls? Yeah. Yeah. Been smoking

[13:19] for 50 years. Nothing wrong with it. >> Yeah. >> I feel like that's the uh the big taboo thing here in California. No, if you're >> "Oh, yeah. Yeah." >> All right. Look at this. Like it just

[13:33] came out of the factory. >> It's true. I wonder why it never sold. >> Yeah, >> Delco. >> The headliner, everything is in place. It's so nice because I've been inve

[13:47] I have been around the block a few times not look like this. >> I like the wheel. It's the right size wheel. Fits it perfectly. Very nice. >> I was impressed by the incredibly large vanity mirror this thing has. Like, look

[14:02] >> Well, they must have known you were going to be the owner. [laughter] New tires are nice. >> Part of me wants to drive it back home.

[14:20] >> They stopped making it and then Dodge >> then they bought the series. >> You saw some really hokey looking Z28s. Irocks. I'm sorry. It's crazy. Dodge hadn't come into its own yet at that

[14:33] time. time. I feel like the cars look really just more like uh we're trying to really just more like uh we're trying to be more like economical versus a fun >> Not bad. Acceleration's pretty good. Steering feels very direct.

[14:47] car? >> Very good California car. >> All right. So, I got to ask, how often do you actually sell a car? >> I keep my little >> I'm the same. Yeah, same. Has there ever

[14:59] just like, you know what, this car? Ah, what was I thinking? >> Yeah, the picture looked good. But >> I got a couple like that. I bought a a >> A what? >> A Delahi. A French car. Little French

[15:11] >> Okay. >> I saw the guy standing there next to it and I went, "Oh, okay. He's about my height." All right. So, I buy the car and it's tiny. I don't fit in it. Then I meet the guy. He's like 53. And I

[15:26] realize, oh, I assumed he was my height and he looked normal. I standing next to fit in it. >> Yeah. Well, I could I could get in it, >> No, but if you're you know, you're T-Rex in the car, it's just Yeah.

[15:41] take the bus? >> Well, you know, if I have the chance to >> Right. Right. >> I I love driving the car. I guess just everything else there's other people are in control of it.

[15:54] >> You know, the only time I feel like I'm in control is on stage and in my car. Barbara, you'll drive to that. >> I'll drive. you take a classic? >> Uh, I only trust the classics within a

[16:07] like >> I don't want any problem. They got to show I'm working. >> I've been left on the side of the road >> Yeah. >> And so I'm just like, I don't own a

[16:19] flatbed. Oh, there we go. >> Not bad at all. 5,500 RPM red line. >> Not bad at all. 5,500 RPM red line. Woohoo. I got good core. [laughter]

[16:31] >> So, yeah, like I said, you got to figure in ' 89, it was this car. It was the Mustang. And there was also a Suzuki Samurai that was very popular at the time. >> Yeah. I bought my Bentley Turbo R then.

[16:45] At the time, the most expensive four-door car you could buy in America. I think it was uh 140,000. I like these automatics. And three gears was a big deal. Ooh. Cuz I remember when you had the two-speed automatic, then

[16:59] you got a three-speed automatic. >> What? A two. When was the last year they had a two-speed? >> Oh, Chevy Powerglide. Well into the 60s. >> Oh, Chevy Powerglide. Well into the 60s. That was a two-speed.

[17:13] >> Furthest back I remember is the three on a tree. >> Yeah, that's You still have that actually. actually. >> All right. I know how this goes.

[17:30] >> Okay, I'm ready. >> Don't for

[17:49] >> Beautiful day. >> It is a wonderful day. Look at that.

[18:05] Woo. You know, this feels like a lot more than 215 horsepower. Unless I guess it's a torque. It's a pretty big motor. >> The torque is really solid on this car. >> The torque is really solid on this car. >> 5.7 L. That's pretty big.

[18:24] Oh, internet's going to go crazy. Like, it had 350 miles on it and now it's got 400. Well, Gabe, I love it. You just You buy cars from your era. These are the cars that were iconic when you were 12, 13, 14 years old. Like for me, it was

[18:39] the cars of the 60s, the GTO's, the Hemis, the Barracudas. For you, it's the Grand Nationals. It's the iRock. It's just interesting to watch it go up. You You know, >> the passion is the same, but you know,

[18:52] >> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. >> It's really cool. But yeah, I will be a lot. >> Oh, yeah. It's great. Well, I'm glad I got to break it in for you. >> It actually feels very neat. You know, a

[19:04] lot of times somebody took care of this thing because, you know, all the rubber is very supple. It looks like they probably went over it with uh probably some Jay Leno car products. It was probably some Jay Leno car products.

[19:16] >> Available now at uh >> That's right. In fact, now this is the Car. >> And And where can they get that? speaking household. >> Nice. [laughter]

[19:33] love that you like to seek out these low mileage vehicles and be the first guy on your block to have the newest old car. So, thank you, my friend. working with us on the JL car care products. We really enjoy having you on

[19:46] board. It's really doing well. So, thank you very much. And we'll see you guys next week. Bye.