Jeff Gordon was one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. Sponsored over most of his career by DuPont, his multi-colored car, often dubbed” The Rainbow Warrior,” was a vehicle both loved and hated by NASCAR fans. The buyer of this 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS for sale on Craigslist in Grove, Oklahoma took that love to the next level. This wonderfully well-kept, 900-mile car is a Jeff Gordon Special Edition produced and sold by Jeff Gordon’s Chevrolet dealership in Wilmington, North Carolina. The seller, who is the second owner, has all the paperwork for this colorful car-even a bill of sale signed by Jeff Gordon. The asking price of this practically unused commemorative car is $17,000. Is that a reasonable price for a car customized at a NASCAR star’s dealership and kept in a sort of suspended animation for 24 years? Thanks to T.J. for this colorful find!
The 2000 NASCAR season was a pivotal one for the sport. No longer a regional oddity, NASCAR had expanded into nearly every media market by the year 2000. They had also mostly shed their tobacco and booze sponsor reputation for dozens of multi-year and multi-million-dollar sponsors from Madison Avenue. Drivers were becoming polished public spokespersons, and their cars were nothing like the legendary steeds that Petty and Pearson banged into each other across the bullrings of old. To quote Harry Hyde, there was nothing “stock” about a stock car anymore. Everything on the track was a purpose-built, tube-framed modern race car clad with a body that had a passing resemblance to the front-wheel drive cars sold in Chevrolet, Ford, and Pontiac showrooms.
One of the stars of this entertainment-oriented racing series was Jeff Gordon. Gordon was a California-born racer of short stature who possessed an immense amount of talent and focus. He quickly worked his way through the ranks of midgets, sprint cars, and the lower Busch series of NASCAR. Once he began working with Ray Evernham as a crew chief and Rick Hendrick as an owner, they became a dominant force in NASCAR in an era that wasn’t shy on talent. Gordon soon developed a rivalry with Dale Earnhardt that in many ways defined both of their careers. Gordon represented the sport in the modern era, polished and articulate. Earnhardt was one of the last holdouts of the old NASCAR, stubborn and rough around the edges.
Of course, nothing is as it seems. Gordon and Earnhardt were good friends and occasional business partners. The rivalry that everyone thought was real became a fantastic marketing tool for both of them. They also drove for Chevrolet. General Motors has a long history of rewarding loyal drivers with the opportunity to “purchase” a dealership. Both Gordon and Earnhardt took the company up on the offer and added “Chevrolet Dealer” to their respective resumes. Fans would flock to the dealerships of their favorite driver to purchase a car from them with a fresh sticker on the back saying just where they purchased their ride. Both were not above putting their names on special edition cars from their dealerships either.
Jeff Gordon Chevrolet has been in business since 1998 in Wilmington, North Carolina. While Wilmington is a good bit away from NASCAR’s epicenter in Charlotte, the state is soaked with die-hard NASCAR fans. NASCAR fans love driving a copy of their favorite driver’s ride. For the year 2000, Jeff Gordon drove a car that resembled and was called a Monte Carlo SS. The last rear-wheel-driven Monte Carlo SS rolled out of the factory in 1988. This was crushing to NASCAR fans since the car was so intertwined with what people believed a stock car was and should be. Chevrolet’s move to front-wheel drive platforms in 1989 was met with derision. Fortunately, the pain was assuaged somewhat when the Monte Carlo nameplate returned in 1995. When it came time for a sixth-generation Monte Carlo (2000-2008), designers consulted with Chevrolet’s motorsports division and selected race teams to tailor the car aerodynamically for competition. It was no 1988 Monte Carlo SS, but it would do.
It is here where the story gets fuzzy on this 2000 Monte Carlo SS. The seller offers no details on exactly what this package offered when new. All we are told is that it was purchased from Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, and it was built there. It appears that the dealership started with a loaded Monte Carlo SS, added a pronounced rear spoiler and body kit, painted it to replicate one of Gordon’s race cars, added some custom wheels, decals, and striping, did a little embroidery work inside and called it a day. If it were a special edition sanctioned by Chevrolet and sold nationally, then there would be a certain provenance that went with the car along with enough sales in the secondary market to establish values.
However, being a dealership made special muddies the waters a bit. Make no mistake, the car is in spectacular condition and is visually stunning. It is just that someone would have to be a die-hard Jeff Gordon fan to pay the price to transfer this museum-quality car from an Oklahoma garage to their garage. Driving it regularly would almost be a sin at this point. You also have to factor in that a collector’s market hasn’t developed for sixth-generation Monte Carlos. As for price, the seller has $17 listed at the top of the ad. We assume that is $17,000.
What do you think is a fair market value for this amazingly well-kept Monte Carlo SS? Do you think the paperwork signed by Jeff Gordon pushes the price up? Please share your thoughts in the comments about the value of the car or any NASCAR/Gordon/Earnhardt contributions you would like to throw in.
Coincidentally, Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 23 years ago today. One has to wonder what NASCAR would be like today had that not happened.
I started watching NASCAR in the mid 70’s and lived in Daytona from 93 until 2002. During that time I visited the track and took in several races. I was an Earnhardt fan and he earned that from me when he pulled off the famous “pass in the grass” against Elliott back in 87 at Charlotte. He only led one lap, but it was the most important one!
NASCAR has changed drastically from those days and in my opinion has lost the loyalty of many of its grass roots fan base. Most of that has been driven from the top with multiple rule changes, not always in the best interest of the fans.
This is a very nice example of a vehicle from the dawn of those days, when loyalty of fans to brands and their race teams was simply unparalleled. And the big 3 were more involved with research & development…not the France family.
I, like you, was a huge fan Cooter. Late 80’s, all of the 90’s, and early 2000’s. I had my drivers, and was loyal to sponsors, etc. But it seemed like NASCAR was so laser focused on making everything as ‘fair’ or ‘even’ as they could, that the rules became more important than anything else. And as my favorite quote says ‘Rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the obedience of fools.’
I used to be a huge F1 fan as well, now it is nearly unwatchable. Oh well…
Can’t believe it has not been snapped up via word of mouth by an aficionado.
$17k on A $5 dollar Craigslist posting I would think if they paid the money to post it on bigger auction site they would get more for it. Almost makes me want to see if I can flip it for more or if I would be stuck with a overpriced Monte Carlo , it has the engine that will go 300k+ miles
Bargain for 17k.It probably cost more than that new.I lived in D.B,FL. for the 80-90s.NASCAR was great back then.I don’t even know the drivers now.I used to go to the town dump on Monday morning and get used race tires and crumpled sheet metal.What a goldmine.
Looks like an oversized toy. I get the low production and ultra low milage but do you honestly think this would bring more than 17-20k even if advertised on larger scale or big auction?
Ugly then, ugly now.
Stickers and low mileage won’t turn and undesirable car a collectors item. A generic Monte Carlo doesn’t stand on its own merit for anywhere near the asking price.
Steve R
Undesireable to you. I am no fan of the livery and would not pay a collectible price but my 2001 Monte Carlo LS was a great car that I sold far too soon. In almost any other color scheme I would buy this, freshen the fluids and drive it.
Tim it’s nothing personal. From a purely utilitarian perspective the 3.8 GM has an outstanding service history. However, the silly garishness of these particular cars is unacceptable to those with discernment.
Thinking “circus clown car.”
I agree 100%. Wrap a turd in decals and call it a limited edition has been a ruse the automakers have done for years.
What is funny is that people above actually think that if they purchase and put away the effort will garner Barrett Jackson results.
Sadly for the money paid for this slab sided GM new. The owner never enjoyed it as a beater that naturally it would have become. Insurance and storage the total investment would be pretty embarrassing.
Could have taken a portion and bought stock or put the money in a roth and really had something. Nascar died hard.
There were a ton of this generation Monte Carlo running around in 2013 when I worked at a lube shop in college and… Yeah they were horrible.
The 3800 is and was a great engine but I remember to this day, every time I got into one of these Montes that I couldn’t believe how awful the interiors were.
Horrible. Cheap. Nasty plastic interiors. Every single thing you touched or looked at was plastic. The door panels were always creaking and broken.
All that show with just a naturally aspirated 3800. What a shame. I’m a Chevy fan, just not a fan of sticker packages. True the engine can rack up some pretty impressive high mileage, but no one will sadly.
And the 24 made it back to Victory Lane today at Daytona…..kept thinking i was going to see Jeff pop out of it…but, he was there as Vice-Chairman at Hendrick…real throwback with the 48 being 2nd
These days, a 2000 Monte SS will 150k and rode hard will probably still bring $5000.00 maybe? 900 miles for $17000 seems like a bargain! If your high school kid drove it to school, the cool factor alone would make him more popular than his buds driving $17000 Hondas and Toyotas. Can you say “Chick Magnet”?😂😂👍👍
Doubt that 100% a high school kids Honda would be $17K. or more. Most parents sending their kids to school do not have the means to buy their kid a car with paying their insurance. They too are upside down on everything. No parent I know would be that careless. That kid would certainly have issues.
The smart kid with a job knows Civics 2000 and down the EG and EKs are dead reliable and can be highly modified on the cheap. My kid had in highschool and still has his. It makes 422 at the wheel. It was only $4500 which he saved and he paid on his own.
So to equate. The kid with a Hemi vs the kid rolling up in a slant six Dart.