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Street Legal Tribute Race Cars

Rare 1969 Ford Talladega, unmodified other than Lee Roy Yarborough tribute lettering.

There is a new version of the collector car hobby that seems to be catching on. In recent years there has been a huge growth in track car and old race cars. It seems with the decline in the attendance and interest in NASCAR a lot of affluent race enthusiast have taken to the track on their own. Many use a high performance daily driver for their track day toy while others, with deeper pockets, build or purchase real race cars.

Old NASCAR race cars have been popular at vintage racing events for several years. These usually involve the more successful cars that were driven by well know retired racers. Old race cars used to become “hand me downs” to the lesser leagues of racing. Some former top level winning cars ended their racing history at the hands of lesser skilled drivers on a small dirt track somewhere in rural America.

For those who love the old race cars but either lack the funds for vintage racing or otherwise lack the desire to go racing there is a new alternative. If you love old race cars but want something a little more practical than a non-street legal loud race car there is an option.

This another real 1969 Ford Talladega but this one also has a Boss 429 added along with a color change and Donnie Allison number and decals.

The Street Legal Tribute Race Car is now the inexpensive alternative. You can have the look of a Richard Petty Championship race car yet cruise to the grocery store or local car show with the air conditioner keeping you cool and the vintage tunes playing on the CD player.

I have seen various strategies and extremes involved in this Walter Mitty type escape mechanism. On the simplest level is the stock factory original version of a race car with the NASCAR driver paint scheme. The ultimate level is a real CUP car modified to be street legal. It should be noted that this method can create substantial obstacles to licensing and titling of the car for street use. Before going this route make sure you have a full understanding of your State’s regulations and requirements.

This 1987 Monte Carlo is a tribute to Dale Earnhardt Sr. but is all stock other than some minor exterior modifications and decals.

There is even at least one Facebook group devoted to this trend.

I have to admit to having been bit by this bug myself. Very soon I will be sharing some more information and photos showing you the results of this infliction.

Here are a couple of more examples.

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Richard

I grew up and lived in Iowa for a good portion of my life before moving to Southern California. After 20+ years we now live outside Nashville Tennessee. I have been into cars since I was old enough to remember. I don't have a brand loyalty although I do prefer American Muscle especially the 1969/1970 NASCAR Aero Cars. (Check out our other web site at www.TalladegaSpoilerRegistry.com site) As long as it has four wheels and an engine I get excited. Few men are lucky enough to be able to share their passion for cars with the woman they love. Fortunately, my wife, Katriana, is also a gear head and many of our activities revolve around the cars. We have a small collection that includes at least one car from each of the Big Three. It includes a Best of Show winner, a survivor, a driver with lots of patina and several others. Katrina prefers all original cars while I like to modify them so we have a few of each. When we aren't playing with cars we are out working with or showing our miniature donkeys. You can see more about that part of our lives at http://www.LegendaryFarms.com.

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4 Comments

  1. Our Facebook group “Street Legal Stock Car Tributes” would love to have you join our group! Please keep us updated on your build. If you have any questions or need assistance in finding parts or how to get the look our members are always willing to help.

    Sincerely
    Thomas Blackstone
    Founding Member of Street Legal Stock Car Tributes

  2. Outstanding article.
    We need more members who have Street Legal Stock Car Tributes to join out “car club”. If you have a car we’d love to have you.

    Jim Boyle
    Another Founding Member of SLSCT

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