Chevrolet’s Camaro has always been a car that wore it’s options codes with pride. Z/28, B4C and every engine code known in the Chevrolet lexicon tie into the Camaro at some point or another. But one code showed the unsuspecting public that the Camaro could do more than straight-line stomp and look good doing it: the 1LE package. Starting with an IROC-Z, the 1LE package eliminated the fog lights and air conditioning, but provided the G92 Performance Axle, PBR calipers on Caprice-sourced 12″ disc brakes, a baffled fuel tank and uprated suspension bits, among other goodies that would benefit a road course racer. It was meant to benefit SCCA drivers who had complained about the Camaro’s inadequate brakes and other issues, and by 1989, after cars had made their way to the track, the 1LE was no longer a secret deal. 
Effectively a homologation kit, the 1LE Camaro was a wicked beast to tangle with. They would dominate in Showroom Stock races in SCCA and IMSA and the RPO code would last at least through 1999. Only a couple thousand cars were built between 1988 and 1999, which makes finding one an event. This 1989 model is from the breakout year…for 1988, only four were built and were all shipped straight to Canada. 1989 saw 111 cars optioned out, and this one has never been titled…it was a race car straight from the get-go. Now running a ZZ4 crate engine pushing 450 horsepower, a T5 five-speed modified with World Products gears inside, and a full compliment of safety gear, this Camaro is still ready to go corner-carving, but we wonder if it’s time that this Chevy saw more roadway than just the asphalt connected to Pit Road. A good canyon road in this Camaro would be absolutely amazing!
Racing Junk Link: 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z with RPO 1LE
Sam Strano absolutely tore up the autocross with his blue 1LE. These things will absolutely surprise folks today at how capable they are.
Another legendary Camaro, makes a change from my rusty Pommie cars.
Another legendary Camaro, makes a change from my rusty Pommie cars.
At under 11k this seems a bargain. Any rust free Third Gen is starting to crowd that. I wonder if it has a VIN and can be titled and registered?
Yes, these cars were VINed and could be registered as street cars. Back in the 80s when we had the Players Challenge series running here in Canada that was a spec series for the Camaros and Firebirds, some of the low-budget racers would drive their cars to the track.