Yahoo Autos The 15 Greatest Motorsport Liveries of All Time, Ranked
How does one rank the finest motorsport liveries of all time? It’s not really something you can apply science to, so here’s what we’re going to do: I’ll list my top 15, you’ll disagree with me, and then we’re going to talk it over in the comments. While I can’t promise that you’ll love the order, I am pretty certain that if you clicked on this, you’re bound to find something you like ahead. Plus, the vintage photography is phenomenal. Let’s look at some cool old race cars, shall we?
15. Rothmans International
From Group C Porsches to Renault Formula 1 cars, the Rothmans scheme added an air of opulence and prestige to any machine it sponsored — the sort of opulence and prestige that could only be supplied by Britain’s foremost producer of tobacco products throughout the 20th century.
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14. Porsche’s Pink Pig
The experimental 917/20 “Pink Pig” doesn’t find itself on this list because it was pretty or successful, but rather because it had a sense of humor about itself. It also marked the one time a German automaker cracked a joke that was actually funny.
13. Goodwrench Service
Clad almost entirely in black with just a dash of silver and red, the Intimidator’s Goodwrench scheme was certainly intimidating. It was also simple, and didn’t try too hard. Modern NASCAR could learn a thing or two from it.
12. Subaru World Rally Team
Whether shilling State Express 555 cigarettes or Subaru’s own Star of Pleiades, the deep blue and bright yellow of Subaru’s rally cars remained iconic, from its victories through the mid ’90s right up until the end of the automaker’s run in the World Rally Championship during the recession-stricken late 2000s.
11. Red Bull and Toro Rosso
Yes, they’re done to death. But you have to admit that Red Bull liveries have a way of translating brilliantly to race cars. The added endorsement of Honda in F1 in recent years certainly didn’t hurt. While there are so many examples to choose across various motorsport categories, today we’re honoring Toro Rosso’s underrated final livery from 2019. Perfect, no notes.
10. Benetton Formula
Benetton’s liveries definitely evolved over the years, but the fashion company’s late ’80s offerings are typically regarded as its finest, for good reason. I would have never imagined the hues of a color-blocked anorak would look so phenomenal on an F1 chassis from the day, but hey — that’s why I’m not a livery artist.
9. Lotus John Player Special
There isn’t much to Lotus’ memorable John Player Special liveries, but there really doesn’t have to be. Two colors — that’s all these machines needed to stand out. And the gold rims? Icing on the freakin’ cake.
