20 Old-School NASCAR Cars That Were Straight-Up Works of Art

Some NASCAR rides weren’t just fast—they looked like they rolled straight out of a gearhead’s dream journal.

Sophia Zapanta
April 9, 2025
7 min read

20 Old-School NASCAR Cars That Were Straight-Up Works of Art — Larry McTighe on Wikimedia Commons

Back when paint jobs were bold and sponsor logos ruled, some NASCAR cars turned racetracks into art galleries. These machines weren’t just built to win, they were also built to be remembered. From slick stripes to roaring reds, these classic liveries were pure visual horsepower.

1. Richard Petty’s 1979 STP Pontiac Grand Prix

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Richard Petty’s 1979 STP Pontiac Grand Prix featured the iconic “Petty Blue” and Day-Glo red color scheme, making it instantly recognizable on the track. The No. 43 car’s livery became synonymous with Petty’s racing legacy. In 1979, Petty clinched his seventh and final NASCAR Cup Series championship driving this car. The combination of performance and striking design cemented its place in NASCAR history.

2. Dale Earnhardt’s 1988 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Dale Earnhardt’s 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo sported a sleek black livery with silver accents, earning it the nickname “The Intimidator.” The No. 3 car’s minimalist yet aggressive design mirrored Earnhardt’s driving style. This vehicle became one of the most feared and respected on the track. Its enduring legacy continues to influence NASCAR aesthetics.

3. Tim Richmond’s 1986 Folgers Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Tim Richmond’s 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo featured a deep maroon livery with gold accents, representing Folgers Coffee. The No. 25 car’s elegant design stood out among its competitors. Richmond’s charismatic personality and success on the track brought attention to this stylish vehicle. The combination of performance and aesthetics left a lasting impression on fans.

4. Darrell Waltrip’s 1985 Pepsi Challenger Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Darrell Waltrip’s 1985 Pepsi Challenger Chevrolet Monte Carlo showcased a vibrant blue and white livery with red accents. The No. 11 car’s bold design reflected the energy of its sponsor, Pepsi. Waltrip’s success that season, including multiple wins, highlighted the car’s performance. The striking appearance made it a fan favorite during the mid-1980s.

5. Jeff Gordon’s 1995 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Jeff Gordon’s 1995 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo, known as the “Rainbow Warrior,” featured a multicolored livery with vibrant rainbow stripes. The No. 24 car’s unique design symbolized a new era in NASCAR, appealing to a younger fan base. Gordon’s exceptional performance, including winning the 1995 championship, solidified the car’s legendary status.

6. Bobby Allison’s 1982 Miller High Life Buick Regal

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Bobby Allison’s 1982 Miller High Life Buick Regal featured a gold and white livery that exuded class and sophistication. The No. 22 car’s design mirrored the premium image of its sponsor, Miller High Life. Allison’s success that season, including multiple victories, showcased the car’s competitiveness. The elegant appearance made it a standout on the track.

7. Bill Elliott’s 1987 Coors Ford Thunderbird

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Bill Elliott’s 1987 Coors Ford Thunderbird sported a bold red livery with silver accents, representing Coors Brewing Company. The No. 9 car’s sleek design complemented Elliott’s reputation for speed, earning him the nickname “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.” Elliott’s record-setting performances, including the fastest recorded speed in a stock car, highlighted the car’s capabilities.

8. Cale Yarborough’s 1983 Hardee’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Cale Yarborough’s 1983 Hardee’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo featured a distinctive orange and white livery. The No. 28 car’s bold color scheme made it easily recognizable on the track. Yarborough’s aggressive driving style and multiple wins that season showcased the car’s performance. The combination of striking design and success left a lasting impression on fans.

9. Rusty Wallace’s 1990 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix

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Rusty Wallace’s 1990 Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix showcased a sleek black and gold livery. The No. 27 car’s design exuded sophistication and speed. Wallace’s driving prowess led to several victories that season, emphasizing the car’s competitiveness. The elegant color scheme became a signature look for Wallace’s vehicles.

10. Terry Labonte’s 1996 Kellogg’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Terry Labonte’s 1996 Kellogg’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo featured a bright yellow livery adorned with colorful characters from Kellogg’s cereals. The No. 5 car’s playful design appealed to fans of all ages. Labonte’s consistent performance throughout the season, culminating in a championship win, highlighted the car’s capabilities. The vibrant and fun appearance made it a memorable presence on the track.

11. Davey Allison’s 1992 Texaco Havoline Ford Thunderbird

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Davey Allison’s 1992 Texaco Havoline Ford Thunderbird featured a sleek black livery with red and white accents. The No. 28 car’s design reflected the bold image of its sponsor, Texaco. Allison’s impressive performances, including multiple wins, showcased the car’s competitiveness. The striking appearance made it a fan favorite during the early 1990s.

12. Ricky Rudd’s 1988 Quaker State Buick Regal

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Ricky Rudd’s 1988 Quaker State Buick Regal sported a distinctive green and white livery. The No. 26 car’s color scheme effectively represented its sponsor, Quaker State. Rudd’s consistent performances, including a notable win at the Dover International Speedway, highlighted the car’s capabilities. The clean and bold design made it a standout on the track.

13. Kyle Petty’s 1991 Mello Yello Pontiac Grand Prix

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Kyle Petty’s 1991 Pontiac Grand Prix featured the vibrant black, green, and yellow Mello Yello livery, making it instantly recognizable on the track. This sponsorship aligned with the brand’s marketing efforts, notably being featured in the 1990 film “Days of Thunder.” Petty achieved multiple top-five finishes with this car, showcasing its competitiveness. The striking color scheme remains a fan favorite and is considered one of NASCAR’s most iconic paint schemes.

14. Ricky Rudd’s 1983 Piedmont Airlines Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Ricky Rudd’s 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo showcased Piedmont Airlines’ clean and classic white and blue livery. This design was simple yet elegant, reflecting the airline’s branding. That season, Rudd secured victories at Riverside and Martinsville, demonstrating the car’s performance. The understated design has been celebrated in NASCAR history for its timeless appeal.

15. Buddy Baker’s 1983 UNO Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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Buddy Baker’s 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo featured a distinctive black and red livery promoting the UNO card game. The bold design, with the game’s logo prominently displayed, made it stand out during races. While Baker didn’t secure a win with this car, its unique sponsorship and eye-catching appearance left a lasting impression. The UNO car remains a memorable example of creative marketing in NASCAR.

16. Harry Gant’s 1989 Skoal Bandit Oldsmobile Cutlass

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Harry Gant’s 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass carried the distinctive green and white Skoal Bandit livery. This color scheme became synonymous with Gant’s “Bandit” nickname and smooth driving style. In 1989, Gant remained a competitive presence on the track, earning multiple top-ten finishes. The Skoal Bandit design remains one of NASCAR’s most recognizable and enduring liveries.

17. Dale Earnhardt’s 1981 Wrangler Jeans Pontiac Grand Prix

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Dale Earnhardt’s 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix featured the bold blue and yellow colors of Wrangler Jeans. This partnership marked the beginning of Earnhardt’s association with the “Man in Black” persona. The car’s vibrant design was a departure from traditional schemes, reflecting Wrangler’s rugged image. Earnhardt’s aggressive driving style and the car’s distinctive look made it a fan favorite.

18. Darrell Waltrip’s 1981 Mountain Dew Buick Regal

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Darrell Waltrip’s 1981 Buick Regal showcased Mountain Dew’s green and white livery. This sponsorship coincided with Waltrip’s dominance in the early ’80s, securing the NASCAR Cup Series championship that year. The car’s fresh and lively design mirrored the brand’s youthful energy. It remains a classic example of successful branding in NASCAR.

19. Bill Elliott’s 1985 Coors Ford Thunderbird

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Bill Elliott’s 1985 Ford Thunderbird featured Coors’ striking red and gold colors. This car became iconic during Elliott’s record-breaking performances, including his fastest qualifying speed at Talladega. The sleek design and bold colors embodied the speed and excitement of NASCAR in the mid-’80s. Elliott’s success with this car cemented its place in racing history.

20. Neil Bonnett’s 1989 Valvoline Pontiac Grand Prix

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Neil Bonnett’s 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix carried Valvoline’s red, white, and blue colors. The patriotic scheme was visually appealing and representative of the brand’s American heritage. Bonnett achieved several top finishes with this car, showcasing its competitiveness. The Valvoline livery remains one of the most celebrated designs in NASCAR history.