HomePick of the DayMonte Carlo homage to Dale Earnhardt

Monte Carlo homage to Dale Earnhardt

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My European sports car friends make fun of me about this, but I am still a pretty serious NASCAR fan, despite the needless staged racing format and other idiotic rules (think the Lucky Dog rule). Part of the reason is that I raced in NASCAR in the mid-1990s through 2002. The other part is that when NASCAR racing is good, it is really good.

I am sure I am not alone, and that many of you who follow ClassicCars.com are also fans. In which case, I have just the Pick of the Day for you, which is not only NASCAR cool but also quite affordable.

The 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Intimidator Edition was designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the Man in Black, Dale Earnhardt.

Sure, the car is basically a Monte Carlo SS coupe with a sticker package, but the concept for the Intimidator Edition was created by the No. 3 team owner Richard Childress and Earnhardt himself, and just 3,333 were produced. This one is the 864th car built.

According to the seller, a Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, dealer advertising the Intimidator on ClassicCars.com, the Chevy is a one-owner car in showroom condition with only 1,255 miles driven. It has its original window sticker and Certificate of Authenticity as well as all other original documents that came with the car, including the original vehicle sales invoice from Symdon Motors, Inc.

The perimeter stripe adds a sporty look

The Dale Earnhardt edition cars were powered by GM’s 3.8-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine backed by a 4-speed automatic transmission. Features include dual-zone air conditioning, AM/FM radio with CD and cassette player, power steering, brakes, power windows, locks and a sunroof.

The car also includes a sport suspension and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic traction control, six-way power front leather bucket seats, tilt wheel, driver and passenger air bags, anti-theft system, remote keyless entry, dual-power outside heated mirrors, race-inspired rear spoiler and leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio, cruise control and OnStar.

The car still wears its original performance radial tires.

The car remains in showroom condition

Special additions for the Dale Earnhardt Signature Series include Black with Galaxy Silver metallic paint with RCR logos, a red perimeter racing stripe, Intimidator graphics on the decklid, special 16-inch diamond-cut wheels, and Dale Earnhardt’s signature and No. 3 racing graphics.

The Earnhardt edition also includes special ebony and pewter leather seats with an embroidered red bowtie on the front-seat headrests, floor mats embroidered with No. 3 and the Intimidator logo, instrument cluster with Dale’s signature, RCR logos and No. 3 graphic, passenger side instrument panel with the No. 3 graphic and Earnhardt signature, and Richard Childress Racing logo kick panels.

Now, I am not sure if these caras will ever bring big money, but they are a sharp homage to the heyday of NASCAR racing and a nice tribute to one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. What that means is that while this car is not likely to become a top tier collector’s item, it most likely will hold its value, at least.

If you are a NASCAR fan, this Intimidator with an asking price of $21,900 would be an excellent way to celebrate your love of stock car racing and the late Earnhardt’s contribution to its enduring popularity.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

 

 

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

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