Originally published April 9. 2-16|Updated October 28, 2026
Two bold lines running from the hood to the trunk can change how a car looks. They say “fast” before the engine even starts.
Racing stripes didn’t begin as decoration, though. They started as a way to tell cars apart on a crowded track. Here’s how that simple idea turned into one of the most recognizable looks in the classic-car world.
Where Racing Stripes Came From
In early international racing, cars wore colors based on the country they represented. British teams used green. Italian teams used red. French teams used blue. Spectators and officials could tell who was who from a distance.
In the early days of international racing, cars wore colors associated with their countries. British teams used green, Italian teams red, French teams blue, and American entries white, sometimes with blue accents. These colors helped spectators identify cars from a distance. That’s where Briggs Cunningham comes in. He was a wealthy sportsman who was determined to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an American car and American drivers.
Cunningham settled on white bodies with blue accents. Cunningham’s 1950 Cadillac entries wore the traditional American racing colors of white with blue trim. The following year, his Cunningham C-2R race cars featured two parallel blue stripes running over the hood, roof and rear deck. The distinctive design became known as Cunningham stripes.
By 1951, his Cunningham C-2R race cars wore two parallel blue stripes running over the hood, roof and rear deck. Many historians credit those cars as the first true racing stripes. They’re still called Cunningham stripes today.
The stripes had a practical job. They made the cars easier for fans, officials and pit crews to spot at speed.
How Racing Stripes Hit the Street
Stripes didn’t stay at the racetrack for long. Racers and fans liked the look, and the idea spread to street cars.
One of the best-known examples is Shelby American. Designer Pete Brock had followed Cunningham’s team as a young racing fan. When he styled the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, he gave it blue-and-white striping now known as Le Mans stripes. Shelby American also used racing stripes on its Cobras and other competition cars. The colors varied by car and racing program, but the stripes helped give these machines a distinctive competition-inspired appearance. The look became part of Shelby’s identity.
If you love Mustang history, our Ford Mustang History article is a great next stop.
By the 1960s, stripes were showing up on all kinds of performance cars. In Britain, they picked up a nickname: “go-faster stripes.” The name is a bit of a joke. A stripe can’t add horsepower, but it can make a car look like it has plenty.
Why National Racing Colors Faded
For years, color told you what country a car came from. That system faded as sponsorship moved into racing in the late 1960s. Teams began painting cars in the colors of their sponsors instead. National colors stopped mattering, but the stripe stuck around as a style choice.
The Stripe Comeback
Stripes have gone in and out of fashion over the decades, but they never really disappeared. The Dodge Viper GTS, introduced in 1996 with blue paint and white stripes, helped popularize the classic racing-stripe look with a new generation of performance-car enthusiasts. Stripes also became easy to buy and apply in the aftermarket, so everyday owners could add them.
Part of the appeal is the nostalgia. Clean, straight lines give a car a retro, racing-inspired look that’s hard to get any other way.
Vinyl Stripes Today
Most modern stripes are made of vinyl. It’s affordable, it’s thin and it holds up well outdoors. How long it lasts depends on the quality of the film, your climate and how you care for the car.
Today’s stripe options* go far beyond the classic pair of lines. *(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to buyers.) Here are some modern stripe styles:
- Hood, roof and trunk stripes: the traditional Cunningham and Le Mans look
- Side stripes: a lower, sportier look along the body
- Spoiler, bumper and grille accents: small touches for a custom feel
- Flames and graphics: bolder designs for show cars and custom builds
- Lettering stripes: names, numbers or model details in stripe form
- Special finishes: matte, gloss, metallic and other effects
Some automakers have also offered stripe packages made for specific models. These kits are cut to fit, so installation is easier.
Tips Before You Stripe Your Classic
Vinyl is a good choice for classic cars because it’s removable. If you own a numbers-matching or highly original car, that matters. A few quick tips:
- Clean the paint first. Dirt and wax can keep vinyl from sticking.
- Measure twice. Use masking tape to mock up the stripe before you peel anything.
- Take your time. Slow, steady pressure helps you avoid bubbles and wrinkles.
- Match the car’s era. A Cunningham-style pair suits many 1960s cars. Wild graphics may look better on a custom build.
Why Racing Stripes Still Work
Racing stripes began as a way to help fans find their favorite team. Over time, they became a symbol of speed, competition and American racing history. For more on how it all started, the Briggs Cunningham site has a detailed history of Le Mans stripes.
Trends in the car world come and go, but the stripe has stuck around for more than 70 years. That’s pretty good for two lines of paint or vinyl.
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