1978 CHEVROLET CAMARO IROC RACE CAR

CHASSIS #: BP 7719

1978 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Race Car (Based on current livery)

VIN/Chassis #: BP 7719

Engine: 350 C.I.D.

Transmission: 4-Speed Manual

Drivetrain: RWD

Exterior Color: Blue

Interior Color: Black

Overview

350 C.I.D. Chevrolet
500 HP
BorgWarner T-10 4-Speed Manual
9-Inch Ford
Hurst Airheart Disc Brakes
Car comes with thorough and original IROC documentation

The International Race of Champions (IROC) series was a unique and prestigious motorsport competition that ran for several decades, aiming to bring together the best drivers from various racing disciplines to compete in identically-prepared cars at some of the world’s most legendary race tracks.

The IROC series was founded in 1973 by Roger Penske, Les Richter, and Mike Phelps. The idea was to create a championship that featured top drivers from different racing disciplines, such as NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and sports car racing. The goal was to determine the "champion of champions" by placing competitors in identical race cars.

IROC is remembered as a unique and prestigious series that brought together some of the greatest drivers in motorsport. The concept of identifying the "champion of champions" remains a memorable aspect of racing history.

After three successful seasons with the Gen 1 Uni-Body Camaros, NASCAR drivers that competed in IROC encouraged series co-owners Roger Penske and Les Richter to transition to a tube frame chassis for added safety at tracks like Daytona and Michigan. IROC followed this direction and debuted a new Camaro chassis and body design for the 1977-1978 season.

The second generation of IROC Camaros started as "bodies in white" at General Motors' Norwood assembly plant in Ohio. Over a two-week span, Penske Racing employee Tom Ubelhour transported the unpainted bodies from Ohio to the shop of renowned NASCAR car builder Banjo Matthews who was tasked with constructing the first fifteen tube frame chassis. Using 1977-era technology, Banjo and his small team in Arden, NC were able to complete one Gen 2 IROC Camaro every seven days.

The combination of the popularity of the Gen 2 IROC Camaros along with ABC’s live race telecasts made this generation of IROC race car recognizable worldwide. When word spread about how well built and meticulously prepared the new IROC race cars were, streams of drivers from around the world lined up to compete in IROC.

The Gen 2 IROC Camaros debuted at Michigan International Speedway in September 1977 and between 1977 and 1979 a total of nineteen of these iconic Camaros were built.

This blue #4 celebrates Peter Gregg’s dominant October 1978 flag to flag win from the pole at Riverside. The next day, a late race spin squashed Gordy Johncock’s chances of making a weekend sweep, leading every lap in the #4 until three laps to go. While Peter Gregg, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Gordy Johncock scored podiums, an eclectic list of drivers spent time in the #4, from F1 Champions Keke Rosburg and Alan Jones to Indy legends Rick Mears and Danny Ongais, and road racer Don Whittington.

The car is currently in restored condition and eligible at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and other historic race events.

Pricing and additional information available upon request.

Direct all inquiries to info@iroc-racing.com.